Constipation!!

Symptoms Of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Sun, 19 Oct 2008 01:00:57 +0000

Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome vary quite widely from patient to patient, but there are some common symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome that can indicate an IBS diagnosis. They include:
diarrhea
constipation
alternating diarrhea and constipation
stomach pain
bloating
excess gas or wind
nausea.

You do not need to have all of these symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome to be diagnosed with the disease, but patients will usually have some diarrhea or constipation plus stomach pain. These symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome keep coming back over a period of time, as IBS is a fairly long-term condition, and should not be confused with normal stomach upsets or occasional bouts of constipation.
Generally, patients with symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome find that they fit into one of three groups - diarrhea-predominant IBS, constipation-predominant IBS, or alternating diarrhea and constipation.
One of the common symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome in IBS sufferers is that their stomach pain is relieved when they have a bowel movement. They may find that the consistency or shape of their stool changes, and they may also pass some mucus in the stool.
It is vital that you are properly diagnosed with IBS by a medical professional, as bowel symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome can be the result of many other health conditions such as celiac disease and inflammatory bowel diseases. It is not possible to accurately self-diagnosis IBS and you may put your health at risk if you do so. In particular, the following symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome are not typical of IBS and must be investigated further:
pain that often awakens/interferes with sleep
diarrhea that often awakens/interferes with sleep
blood in your stool
weight loss
fever
abnormal physical examination.

Most individuals are surprised to learn they are not alone with symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. In fact, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects approximately 10-20 f the general population. It is the most common disease diagnosed by gastroenterologists (doctors who specialize in medical treatment of disorders of the stomach and intestines) and one of the most common disorders seen by primary care physicians.
Sometimes irritable bowel syndrome is referred to as spastic colon, mucous colitis, spastic colitis, nervous stomach, or irritable colon.
Irritable bowel syndrome is understood as a multi-faceted disorder. Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome result from what appears to be a disturbance in the interaction between the gut or intestines, the brain, and the autonomic nervous system that alters regulation of bowel motility (motor function) or sensory function.
In symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome abdominal pain or discomfort is associated with a change in bowel pattern, such as loose or more frequent bowel movements, diarrhea, and/or constipation.
Treatment options are available to manage IBS - whether the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome are mild, moderate, or severe.

Recognizing Constipation Symptoms

Sun, 19 Oct 2008 01:00:20 +0000

Let’s face it, constipation is not a subject that we generally sit around and talk about with our friends, family, and co-workers on a regular basis. Sometimes we don’t want even want to discuss it with our doctor, mistakenly feeling like we can use laxatives to cure ourselves of constipation. I had a family member suffer with problems of constipation for years before he sought treatment from his doctor and found some natural ways to keep constipation at bay. Part of the problem was that the constipation symptoms he was experiencing were not what he though of as constipation.
The answer to the question of what are constipation symptoms is a tricky one. The reason being is that constipation symptoms very from person to person. For instance, my relative just had infrequent bowel movements and felt uncomfortable almost all the time. He didn’t strain during bowel movements or experience hard stools, which are very common constipation symptoms. The fact is, that constipation symptoms can very greatly from person to person, so it is hard to pinpoint specific symptoms.
What you can do is to take the symptoms that you are having and talk to your doctor about them. More common constipation symptoms include: dry or hard stools, infrequent bowel movements, straining during bowel movements, abdominal pain, bloating, painful bowel movements, and/or nausea and vomiting. Many people don’t know that diarrhea and runny stools can also be constipation symptoms due to a blockage in your system that will not allow the formed stools to pass.
Whatever constipation symptoms you are experiencing, you are probably ready for a cure or some way to alleviate what you are feeling. Before you run out and buy medication or laxatives, you should find out about all of the natural ways that you can alleviate the problem and keep constipation and those dreaded constipation symptoms from returning.

Inability of Colon Constipation

Sat, 18 Oct 2008 01:00:54 +0000

Constipation or the inability to effectively move our bowels to eliminate waste products is a growing problem in the USA. It is estimated that over 70% of the population in America regularly struggles with constipation, although some experts believe the figure to be as high as 80 to 90%.
Over the counter stool softeners or laxatives, is a one billion dollar per year industry in the USA. The ease of obtaining and purchasing laxatives means that constipation is often rarely discussed. It is becoming America’s dirty little secret.
Everyone experiences constipation from time to time, and most of us find the problem clears up on its own. When it doesn’t and we find ourselves repeatedly in pain and reaching for laxatives, its time to take action. The first step is understanding what exactly constipation is and how it is caused. Bluntly put, constipation occurs when waste is not eliminated properly from the colon to our bowel. When we can’t eliminate waste, our stomachs often become puffy and bloated, we become physically uncomfortable, and in severe cases may find trouble digesting more food. If we can’t eliminate our waste, we can’t properly take in new nutrients for our bodies.
There is no one factor that decides whether or not we will get constipation. Often we need to begin looking at our diets, are they rich in fruit, vegetables and protein? If not we need to take steps to correct what we eat first?
Stress plays a major part in constipation. When our bodies frequently go into fight or flight mode, one of the side effects may be difficulty in moving our bowels. Knowing what triggers our stress levels, and learning how to properly cope and deal with day to day stress is terribly important.
Having a healthy colon and regular bowel movements are terribly important to our overall health. When our colon is sick, the rest of our body tends to get sick too. Our colons are responsible for carrying water and nutrients to other areas of the body to help us function. When our colons are sick we may experience fatigue, pain, and dehydration.

Constipation and Loniten

Sat, 18 Oct 2008 01:00:49 +0000

Loniten users have found that one of the associated side effects of use of this medicine is that they can become constipated during their treatment. Because Loniten can cause constipation, it’s important to treat for constipation while taking this medication.
One of the main factors of this medication is blood pressure. High blood pressure is extremely dangerous to your health so taking medication to lower your blood pressure is important. While constipation is uncomfortable, it can be managed and tolerated when the benefits are life saving. Because this medication is generally not a short-term medication, it’s also possible that users will face on-going problems with Loniten related side effects. While this can be a bit frustrating, again, the benefits of this medication make it worthwhile to find ways to manage the side effects.
Your doctor may recommend that you take a laxative while you are taking Loniten. Using harsh laxatives will not only be rough on your system but can affect your body’s ability to absorb nutrients and even medications so it’s important to treat your constipation in such a way that relieves you of the symptoms and allows you to have regular bowel movements without lowering the effectiveness of any medication you are taking. Over the counter laxatives can not only harshly induce bowel movements but they can have a negative impact on your overall health, should they be used long term.
Loniten, also known as Minoxidil was initially used as a blood pressure lowering medication. This drug is a vasodilator drug, which means that it helps to open (or dilate) the blood vessels. One of the positive side effects of Loniten that was discovered was that it caused excessive hair growth on people who were taking it. This was considered serendipity for those suffering from hair loss or male pattern baldness and it resulted in Loniten being used as a treatment for baldness. Many people began taking Minoxidil to treat baldness. While their hair grew and their blood pressure was lowered, they did have to face a few unwanted side effects.
Those using Loniten for hair loss need to closely monitor their blood pressure due to the lowering effect of the medication. Anyone who doesn’t have high blood pressure but is taking this product for hair growth could take a dangerous drop in blood pressure. Loniten can also blur your vision or cause acne and headaches. Sometimes these effects are simply a result of your dose of Loniten or Minoxidil being too high.
Whether you’re using Loniten for blood pressure or Minoxidil for hair loss, be sure to proactively work to ensure that you can continue to have regular bowel movements and stay under the care of a physician. Taking extra fiber and drinking plenty of water will help. Taking a bulk laxative such as Psyllium can also be beneficial when taking any medications that slow down your bowel functions as well as eating fiber rich foods.

Pregnancy Constipation Symptoms In Woman

Fri, 17 Oct 2008 01:00:55 +0000

Where some women may feel bloated or they may pass small rabbit like stools others may often have to strain when they are actually having bowel movement.
Pregnant women will often suffer from constipation during the pregnancy and in the days after they have actually delivered the baby. Some women may even suffer from painful bowel movements after having a episiotomy (a repair made to torn rectal tissue). Women who have had an episiotomy will often consciously or unconsciously try to prevent themselves from having a bowel movement. Whilst some women who have had a caesarean section will find that their bowel movement is temporarily paralyzed and is known as an ileus.

Below are some helpful hints wish should help to alleviate or prevent constipation from occurring.
1. Make sure you exercise daily. It is a great way of preventing constipation and even light to moderate walking will help to loosen your bowels as well as making you feel lest bloated.
2. Drink lots of fluids. Whilst pregnant the amount of water absorbed from your intestines into your blood increases. So it is important that you increase the amount of water you drink to keep both your intestines and the baby healthy. You really should try a drink at least 10 x 8 ounce glasses of water a day and if you are somewhere that is hot and humid then your water intake should be increased further. By keeping your body hydrated with water you will help to prevent constipation.
3. Calcium and Vitamin Supplements. It is important that you take the appropriate supplements but be aware that there are some which can cause bloating and constipation. Studies have been carried out which show the best calcium supplements for a pregnant woman to take are those which dissolve easily in the pH of vinegar such as TUMS and Cal citrate. It is vital that you avoid antacids which contain aluminum as these will only cause constipation.
There are prenatal vitamins around which have been specifically formulated for use by pregnant women and that their digestive tract will tolerate. These types of vitamins will cause less nausea and bloating and they contain iron, Folate and B Vitamins all of which are essential to a pregnant woman.
4. However there are some pregnant women who will need to take a stool softener in order to relieve their constipation and these work by decreasing the wall tension between the colon and the stool. They act mainly as a way of keeping a pregnant woman’s stools soft so making their removal from a pregnant woman’s body much easier.
5. A great natural remedy you could use when pregnant is to alternate between hot and cold food and drinks. A simple way of doing this is to either drink cold fluid or eat ice chips and then drink a warm fluid (may be tea). Doing this will help to stimulate and tone your bowel as well as helping to release gas that has been building up in your bowel.
6. Other women may find that resting in bed for either all or part of their pregnancy helps.
Hopefully the hints provided above will any constipation problems that occur during your pregnancy and it is important that you talk to your doctor about any problems you are having in relation to constipation. Unfortunately pregnancy constipation that a lot of women will have to contend with when they are having a child and normally clears up after the birth.

Baby Constipation Symptoms & Its Treatment

Fri, 17 Oct 2008 01:00:03 +0000

Constipation isn’t something only adults deal with it. Your baby may experience it as well. There are many signs to tell if your baby is having trouble moving his bowels. Luckily, there are also some natural, safe ways to treat and help prevent constipation for your infant. Of course, you should always notify your child’s pediatrician when your child is in any sort of distress.

Signs Of Constipation:
Bowel Movements Have Slowed Down- A baby will have less bowel movements the older he gets, but if it starts suddenly and is accompanied by discomfort and fussiness, it may be due to constipation. Breastfed babies are less likely to be constipated but if he has just started solids, it may have caused it.
Baby Pulls up Knees and Grunts or Moans- This could be due to gas as well as constipation.
Irritability- Constipation is one of many things that could be causing this.
Baby Seems Relieved after Bowel Movement If baby is having a particularly hard time passing a stool and then seems relieved when it finally comes out, it may be due to constipation.
Hard Stools- Little rocks or pellets in a baby’s diaper definitely suggest he is constipated.
Blood-Streaks In Diaper- Anal fissures or hemorrhoids could be caused by the hard stools. (Definitely contact pediatrician about this to rule out anything worse.)
Hard Stomach- A tight abdomen could be caused by gas or constipation.

Treatments For Constipation:
Exercise- A little exercise can sometimes work out the excrement. Try bicycling baby’s legs or if he has one, try the Jumperoo or Exersaucer.
Massage- Infant massage can be a natural cure for many ailments and there are plenty of techniques for tummy upset.
Water- Ask your pediatrician if a little water would be okay to grease up the works.
Fruit- If baby is eating solids; try some pears or other strained fruit. (Not bananas or apples, though. They could make the problem worse.)
Cut Back on Certain Solids- Rice cereal, bananas, and apples are common culprits of constipation when solids begin.
Prunes- Ask the doc before trying, but pureed prunes or a little prune juice can help get things going again.

Fecal Impaction Vs. Constipation

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 01:00:14 +0000

Constipation and fecal impaction is not the same thing. Many people think that they are the same. While they both involve the intestines, bowels and fecal matter, they are two different problems that have to be treated differently.
Constipation is the term used to describe slow moving feces or stool through the intestines. The longer it takes for fecal matter to be eliminated from the body, the drier and harder it will become. Symptoms of constipation include passing small, dry hard stools, a feeling of incomplete evacuation, straining, fatigue, bad breath, skin eruptions, abdominal pain, hemorrhoids and irregular bowel movements.
Fecal impaction is the term used to describe a large mass of hard stool or fecal matter that is “stuck” in the rectum. Symptoms of fecal impaction may be similar to constipation symptoms. However, in addition to those symptoms the individual may have bladder problems, back pain, nausea, vomiting, dehydration, a distended abdomen, a rapid heartbeat, sweating, fever, dizziness and even high or low blood pressure. Individuals who have a fecal impaction may also experience very explosive diarrhea. This diarrhea does not remove the impaction, it moves around the impaction.
Constipation can be very uncomfortable and annoying. Fecal impaction is far more dangerous than constipation. Fecal impaction can be life threatening. Fecal impaction that is not treated can worsen and the individual could possibly die from it. Constipation can be caused by numerous things including not eating enough fiber, not drinking enough liquids, a lack of exercise, certain medications, changes in lifestyle or routine, ignoring the urge to move your bowels, abusing laxatives, irritable bowel syndrome, pregnancy, traveling and other various reasons.
Fecal impaction can be caused by ignoring constipation, pain medications, illness and long term use of laxatives. Many people are surprised to learn that prolonged use of stimulant laxatives can lead to fecal impaction, but it is true. With prolonged use the colon can become dependent upon the laxative to aid it in evacuation. When the colon has been exposed to laxatives and stool softeners for a period of time and then it does not get the expected dose, constipation and fecal impaction can occur. To put it simply, prolonged laxative use can make your body forget how to move and evacuate fecal matter on its own.
If constipation is not addressed and an individual develops fecal impaction it cannot be treated as easily. Fecal impactions in the rectum must be removed manually by a medical professional.
Constipation should be addressed at its onset to prevent a fecal impaction. Steps to alleviate constipation can include making changes in the diet, drinking an adequate amount of water, exercising and doing a colon cleanse. Tips to aid in stool evacuation include the following:
* When you are sitting on the toilet, it is important that you do not hold your breath when you are trying to eliminate a stool. A good constipation tip is to breathe in your nose and out through your mouth. Holding your breath while you are trying to pass a stool can actually hamper the elimination process because it closes up the bottom.
* Learn how to push without straining. When you have placed your feet on the stool, simply lean forward and breathe normally. This will enable your stomach muscles to push the stool out without straining. Essentially, you are pushing from your waist.
* You should always respond to any sign that your bowels want to move. Delaying or putting off a bowel movement can aggravate constipation. No matter where you are, if you feel like your bowels want to move, find a bathroom.

Effects of Constipation on Heart

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 01:00:13 +0000

Have you ever been constipated to the point that you were sure you were going to have a heart attack? All the straining and forcing can definitely put a strain on your entire body, but does constipation itself have any adverse effects on the heart?
First off, it’s important to know the signs of constipation and understand what it is. Constipation is not so much a condition as it is a symptom of a much larger issue. The larger issue could be something as simple as a side effect of a prescription medicine or as complex as a health risk, such as diabetes. Constipation can have nearly infinite causes, so it pays to know your body and how it works.

Constipation can be diagnosed when the following occurs:
* No bowel movements for 3 consecutive days
* Hard stools 25% of the time
* Straining and/or incomplete bowel movements 25% of the time
* Two or fewer bowel movements within a week’s time

As you can see, being diagnosed as constipated doesn’t always mean that you cannot have a bowel movement. Many people have bowel movements and are still considered constipated. It’s a matter of the quality, and not just the quantity, of the bowel movements that count.

The Heart of the Matter
Many of the same things that cause constipation can also be detrimental to your heart’s health. For example, high blood sugar causes constipation and can also cause heart problems. Just as a high fiber diet can dramatically help constipation; it can also reduce your chances of a heart attack.
In a study of French adults, it was proven that the higher the fiber intake, the lower the chances of high cholesterol and blood pressure or of being over-weight. All of which affect both the heart and constipation. High fiber diets also show to lower abdominal obesity as well as blood sugar levels. The recommended amount of daily fiber is between 25 and 35 grams. The average American eats about 15 grams per day.
The proper amount of daily water soluble dietary fiber can help control diabetes, hemorrhoids, constipation, intestinal polyps, diverticulosis and even reduce the risk of colon cancer. It can even significantly reduce cholesterol within 4 weeks. Fiber has scientifically been shown to be a valuable ally in the war against many cancers, stroke, hypertension and coronary heart disease.
Virtually every one of the most notorious health killers can be impacted by eating a diet that’s high in fiber. So, it’s plain to see how constipation can affect the heart. When you’re constipated, it can be a warning sign that something is wrong with your body internally. While low fiber intake can certainly be a reason for constipation, it’s important to remember that there is always a possibility of an underlying reason for your constipation and many of these reasons can also affect your heart.

Give Your Heart a Break!
Many health experts agree that the best thing you can do for your body is a periodical colon cleanse. It rids your body of years of built-up sludge and mucous that sticks to the inside of your intestines. When your intestines get clogged with all that matter and debris, it makes it extremely difficult for your body to absorb nutrients that are needed for it to function properly.
Everything starts with the colon. If your colon is clogged and dirty, your immune system will suffer, your risk of cancer is higher, your heart works harder and you are actually self-poisoning yourself since toxins are being re-absorbed into the body instead of being expelled. A clean colon will increase your metabolism, allowing you to lose weight easier and give you a sense of overall well-being.

Using Natural Cure In Constipation Treatment

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 01:00:52 +0000

There are two basic types of constipation - organic and functional. Organic constipation is a result of some physical change, obstruction, or distortion in your colon. This type of constipation needs immediate attention from a doctor.
This article only covers Functional Constipation. This type of constipation is a result of not following a proper diet, drinking enough fluids, having good emotional health and not having a good lifestyle - a lifestyle that promotes good movement of digested foods through the intestines and colon.
Even though there are many definitions for constipation, constipation is simply a condition where the fecal matter traveling through your colon remains too long in your colon before traveling out the rectum.
Constipation is a symptom and not a disease. It is a condition that tells you your colon is not working properly or that you have some underlying gastrointestinal disease you are not aware of.
Constipation may be a warning that your diet and lifestyle are causing an imbalance in your body. It is a symptom that many people ignore or that many people try to eliminate by using unnatural and oftentimes dangerous drugstore laxatives.
Drugstore laxatives should be avoided when you have constipation. They can become habit-forming, damage your colon, and have nasty side effects if used too long. They sometimes have the tendency of creating the problem you are trying relieve - constipation.
To keep your body in chemical balance, it is important to use only natural remedies for constipation. Natural remedies such as herbs and foods bring into the colon those nutrients that can build up your colon and reactivate your natural peristaltic action.
As you use natural remedies, keep in mind that one particular remedy may not work for you. You may have to try a different remedy or increase dosage of the one you are using. If you supply what your body needs by using a specific remedy, then you will get results from using that remedy.
Experimenting is part of finding out what remedy is best for you. There are many different natural remedies you can choose from. Look on the internet for “natural remedies for constipation” and you will find many listings.
Keep in mind that most remedies should be used only for a short time, two to four days and not longer than 2 weeks. They should only be used for the time needed to clear your constipation. This might be just 4 or 5 times or sometimes it may take several weeks.
There are some herbal combinations that can be used for longer duration. These combinations can improve your colon’s health and get your bowels moving again.
If you have constipation, the natural balance and function of your colon has been affected. But, natural remedies can bring you colon back into balance.

Natural Therapy for Constipation

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 01:00:25 +0000

Even though it is not something people like to talk about, we all have to deal with constipation on occasion. The problem is we may not know what constipation is and we accept what we don’t have but one bowel movement every two or three days. As a child I was told that I had a problem with this, but I never felt any sort of pain. When I would get sick, someone would always inevitably ask me when the last time I used the bathroom was. At that time in my life it was only once every two or three days, and they were always concerned that something was wrong with me. One particular babysitter was very concerned about my problem even though it wasn’t bothering me. She often talked about natural cures for constipation to make things better for me.
My mother wasn’t concerned because she had talked to my doctor about it and he wasn’t concerned. Now days this is still the attitude of many doctors. As long as I was not in any sort of pain, or it not affecting my health, he saw nothing wrong with the frequency of my trips to the bathroom. He did however say that natural cures for constipation may help me become more regular as I got older. When you think of natural cures for constipation you may be thinking of some sort of medicine, but you should know that there are simpler ways to go about this.
Some of the best natural cures for constipation are things that you eat every day. There are certain fruits that if eaten in between meals can activate a bowel movement. There are certain teas that help you have a bowel movement. Drink a fruit smoothie mixed with a variety of special nutrients and it will also cause you to head to the bathroom. In many cases, there are no medications needed. Fiber is also a natural cure for constipation. If you were to eat, for example, raisin bran on a daily basis, you will find that you are more regular then you ever were before. Other natural cures for constipation might be eating prunes, though they are not very pleasant, or any other type of fruit that aids in digestion. You may also want to try cereals that are high in fiber each morning for breakfast.
For some people though, these natural cures for constipation don’t work and that’s because they are they are eating and drink other foods that make them constipated. Sometimes when you are constipated, there is not enough liquid in your system. You may want to concentrate on drinking more water, and staying away from foods that are known to cause constipation. If you have a thing for cheese, you may want to cut back on how much you eat.
If you find that you are still having constipation problems, you may want to talk to a naturopathic doctor about other natural cures for constipation that you have not considered yet. If these don’t work, your doctor may have to give you a prescription or do some additional testing to find out what is going on with your body.