Constipation
Constipation is defined as having infrequent or difficult bowel movements or passing hard or dry stools. “Infrequent” generally means fewer than three in a week, although some people regularly have two or three a day and others can go two or three days without one.
People who frequently use conventional chemical laxatives are prone to lazy bowel syndrome, a condition in which the digestive system has essentially become addicted to the drugs — and can't function properly without them. Overuse of laxatives can also damage your GI tract and interfere with your body's ability to absorb the nutrients in your food.
Constipation is most often tied to intestinal slowdown, in which the undigested food is moving too slowly through the large intestine. This can be caused by diet (inadequate fluid or fiber intake) as well as lifestyle factors like physical inactivity. Stress and traveling can trigger it, as can many prescription drugs. Pregnant women and people over sixty-five, especially those with physical limitations, are more susceptible.
Most of the time, you can resolve a case of constipation with a few tweaks to your diet or a dose or two of a laxative (either conventional or herbal). But if your condition persists or you experience other symptoms, see your doctor. Unresolved constipation can lead to complications like hemorrhoids or anal tears (called abrasions or fissures). In extreme cases, you could develop impaction, in which a mass of stool obstructs the colon or rectum. Constipation can also by a symptom of a more serious condition (see below).
Treatment Options
In conventional medicine, constipation is generally treated with laxatives, which fall into one of three categories:
Stool softeners include mineral oil and medications containing docu-sate (Colace) or magnesium hydroxide (Philip's Milk of Magnesia), plus suppositories made with glycerine (Fleet Glycerin Suppositories).
Bulk-forming laxatives create a more solid mass to keep things moving smoothly; they include methylcellulose (Citrucel, Docucal) and psyllium (Metamucil). Stool softeners and bulk-forming laxatives are generally free of side effects, but can cause abdominal pain and diarrhea in some people.
Stimulant (chemical) laxatives trigger movement in the smooth muscles and induce secretion of fluids from the mucous membranes in the large intestine. They include polyethylene glycol (MiraLAX) and bisacodyl (Dulcolax, Correctol). Stimulant laxatives can cause cramping, lightheadedness, diarrhea, and rebound constipation.
Herbalism has its own constipation cures:
• Flax (Linum usitatissimum) |
Flaxseed is high in fiber (both the soluble and insoluble kind) and mucilage, which is a goopy substance known for its ability to sooth mucous membranes. Flaxseed works as an effective (and side effect-free) constipation remedy. |
• Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) |
Fenugreek also contains lots of fiber, including pectin, a type of insoluble fiber that's gelatinous when saturated with water (it's the ingredient in jelly that makes it gel). |
• Olive (Olea europa) |
Olive oil acts as a gentle stool softener and laxative. |
• Psyllium (Plantago ovata, P. psyllium) |
Both the blond and black varieties are tried-and-true constipation remedies (P. ovata is the key ingredient in Metamucil). Research shows that psyllium is as effective as many harsh chemical laxatives. |
