CONSTIPATION: CAUSES AND TREATMENT |FINDYOURSELF
CONSTIPATION
- Constipation can have causes that aren't due to underlying disease.
- Constipation is a condition of the digestive system where an individual has hard feces that are difficult to expel.
Cause:-
Constipation generally occurs because too much water is absorbed from food
Causes of constipation
include physical inactivity, certain medications, and aging
Some cases of constipation can be relieved by lifestyle changes
Laxatives should only be used as a last resort
Symptoms:-
Passing fewer stools than usual can be a sign of constipation.
stomach ache
stomach cramps
feeling bloated and nauseous
losing appetite
Treatment:-
Only use these laxatives as a last resort:
Stimulants:
These make the muscles in the intestines contract rhythmically. These include Correctol, Dulcolax, and Senokot.
Lubricants:
These help the stool move down the colon more easily. These include mineral oil and Fleet.
Stool softeners:
These moisten the stool. Stool softeners include Colace and Surfak.
Fiber supplements:
These are perhaps the safest laxatives. They are also called bulk laxatives. They include FiberCon, Metamucil, Konsyl, Serutan, and Citrucel and should be taken with plenty of water. If you want to buy bulk laxatives, then there is an excellent selection online with thousands of customer reviews.
Osmotics:
These facilitate the movement of fluids through the colon. These include Cephulac, Sorbitol, and Miralax.
Saline laxatives:
These draw water into the colon and include milk of magnesia.
Chloride channel activators:
These require a prescription and include lubiprostone (Amitiza).
5-HT-4 agonists:
They increase the secretion of fluid in the intestines and speed up the rate at which food passes through the colon. They include Prucalopride.