Constipation is a common gastrointestinal problem. People with constipation have infrequent bowel movements, pass hard stools or strain during bowel movements.

“Normal” frequency of bowel movements varies from person to person, however, you’re probably suffering from constipation if have a BM less than three times a week and if those stools are hard and dry and difficult to pass.

Most cases of constipation aren’t permanent. temporary. Simple changes in lifestyle such as  exercising regularly and eating a high-fiber diet will do wonders in alleviating constipation.

Constipation may also be treated with over-the-counter laxatives, however, take laxatives sparingly as they are very hard on your system and frequent use of them causes the body to shut down and rely solely on laxatives in order to have a bowel movement.

SYMPTOMS

If you’re not having a bowel movement every day, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re constipated. You are probably constipated if you experience two of these signs or symptoms:

• Have fewer than three stools bowel movements per week
• Pass hard stools
• Strain excessively during bowel movements
• Experience a sense of rectal blockage
• Feel like you still need to go to the restroom after having a bowel movement
• Need to use manual maneuvers in order to have a bowel movement, such as finger evacuation or manipulation of your lower abdomen

CAUSES

A number of factors can cause constipation, such as:

• Dehydration, lack of fluids
• Not enough fiber in your diet
• Ignoring the urge to have a bowel movement
• Lack of physical activity (especially in older adults)
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Changes in lifestyle or routine, including pregnancy, aging and travel
• Illness
• Pain Medications
• Frequent use or abuse of laxatives
• Diseases, such as stroke, diabetes, thyroid disease and Parkinson’s disease
• Problems with the colon and rectum, such as intestinal obstruction or diverticulosis
• Medications such as diuretics and those used to treat Parkinson’s disease, high blood pressure and depression
• Hormonal disturbances, such as an underactive thyroid gland
• Anal fissures and hemorrhoids
• Loss of body salts through vomiting or diarrhea
• Spinal cord injuries

WHY IT HAPPENS

MEDICATION

Pain medication often causes constipation.  After major surgeries, such as a colon resection, you’re probably taking a lot of pain killers.

ANESTHESIA

Anesthesia can paralyze your digestive tract, making it harder for your body to eliminate fecal matter.

DIET CHANGES

Before and after surgery your doctor probably put you on a special diet. And, ironically, hospital food isn’t known for being the healthiest. This can lead to constipation since there is nothing pushing out old waste. It usually passes once you get home and start eating a healthy diet.

STRESS

In the days leading up to any given surgery, you’re bound to be under a lot of stress and anxiety.   This not only impacts your mental wellness, but your digestive system and its function.

3 WAYS YOU CAN MINIMIZE CONSTIPATION AFTER SURGERY

There are a few things you can do to minimize constipation problems after an operation, however, time is one of factors you can’t change.

MOVE AROUND

Start doing light exercises as soon as possible after your surgery. Consult with your doctor before doing anything, just to make sure it won’t tear any stitches or cause more problems.

PAINKILLERS

Again, consult with your doctor before doing anything, but if you do not need the painkillers anymore, don’t take them!

DIET

Eating healthy foods is as important, more than ever, after surgery. You will not only improve recovery time but you’ll experience less constipation.

Just because you’re constipated does not mean you have colon cancer. However, the onset of constipation is one of the early warning sign of colon cancer and other serious illnesses. Any prolonged bouts of unexplained constipation should be taken very seriously.  You should call and make an appointment with your doctor right away, just to be safe.

Chronic constipation may be a warning sign of other health problems: diabetes, hypothyroidism, Crone’s Disease, reaction to medication, and neurological disorders, to name a few. Before your doctor recommends any treatment for chronic constipation, she should always attempt to determine the underlying cause, with the most serious possibility being colon cancer.

Colon cancer typically leads to constipation if the tumor obstructs the colon. This most often occurs if the tumor is located in the lower colon or the rectum (the left side of the colon), an area in which the stool is already solid. Typically, tumors in the upper colon (the right side) will not cause constipation because the stool is of a liquid consistency and can more easily pass around an obstruction.

HOW DOES CONSTIPATION RELATE TO COLON CANCER?

In 1911 Dr. Alexis Carrel received the Nobel Prize for growing live tissue cells. He discovered that by discarding their digestive waste daily, the cells could live indefinitely. When he did not remove their waste for three days they become weak and unhealthy.

This simple experiment shows that whatever waste we create, be it in our blood, the colon, lymph nodes, etc. it must be removed daily if we are to have excellent health.

As far as colon waste goes, we should be having a bowel movement every day for every meal we eat. Most of us have only one a day.  Many doctors say it’s okay if you only have one bowel movement every two days. That’s fine, if you want colon cancer.

Studies have shown that if you have only one bowel movement every 3 – 4 days, you are at increased risk for having a heart attack, colon cancer, hemorrhoids, IBS, and many other illnesses.  90% of the most common diseases, many fatal, start in the colon.

Dr. Carrel also showed in his 1911 experiments that cells become weak and died when they remained in their own metabolic waste after three days or longer. This is exactly the condition known as constipation.

Fecal matter which remains stagnant in the colon increases the amount of bacteria which create colon wall irritations and inflammation. This can lead to colon cancer.

If you continue to have a constipated colon, then this bacteria and toxic waste can move into the small intestine where it can then get into your blood stream, traveling throughout the body, spreading the toxins everywhere.

Here’s how to make sure your fecal matter does not become stagnant in your colon and produce colon cancer.

Increasing the amount of fiber you eat daily by 3 / 4 ounce.  This can dramatically decrease your risk of getting colon cancer and many other colon-related diseases. If you are like most people, you eat only 1 / 4 ounce of fiber. In terms of grams, you are likely eating 8 grams. Raise the amount of fiber you eat by 20 grams to 28 grams and reduce your likelihood of getting colon cancer.

While constipation may not seem like a big deal, it could be a sign of something far more serious, such as colon cancer or Crone’s Disease.  Here are some of the most common symptoms of a colonic constipation:

• Poor appetite
• loss of memory or concentration
• neuritis and neuralgia
• cold feet and hands
• bad breath
• lack of interest in life
• skin problems
• protruding abdomen
• depression
• lack of sexual response
• fatigue
• over weight
• gas
• belching
• flatulence
• craving for food
• not feeling well
• anxiety and worry
• headaches
• insomnia
• irritability
• abdominal discomfort
• nervousness
• menstrual problems
• nausea
• swelling of legs
• anemia
• increased body odors
• sagging posture
• tender abdomen
• brittle nails and hair
• dark circles under eyes
• malnutrition
• coated tongue
• sallow complexion
• blood pressure up or down
• low back pain
• lack of endurance
• disinclination for work or play
• anorexia
• nausea
• mental and physical depression
• anxiety or fearfulness
• poor circulation
• neurological condition
• neuroses
• neuritis
• loss of memory
• protruding lower lip

There are two ways to go about treating a constipated colon: reactive, and proactive, the latter, being a much better solution.

REACTIVE

The reactive approach to treating colon constipation is to do something about your constipation when you’ve got it.  Waiting until the last minute, or waiting until you are suffering from constipation until doing something about is not encouraged.  The most common reactive solution is a laxative.  Laxatives are hard on the body and are easy to abuse – a little backed up, just pop a pill.  The problem is, the more laxatives your take, the more your body depends on them.  Frequent use, even abuse, of laxatives creates a dependency wherein your body will not function without them.  It’s a very serious problem and it doesn’t take much for the body to shut off its own system of ridding itself of waste.

PROACTIVE

The proactive approach to colonic constipation is 180 degrees from the reactive approach.  This involves changing your lifestyle.  Not surprisingly, diet and exercise are the key factors to constipation.

The American diet is a poor one.  Your diet should consist of high-fiber foods, whole grains, and lots of fruits and veggies.   No white flour, processed foods, or lunch meats.  No sugar or fried foods.  This list of dietary restrictions helps not only constipation, but 99% of the other disease that plague the obesity-ridden, diabetes pandemic sweeping the nation.

CONSTIPATION TIPS

1. Change your daily habits. Create a colon cleansing and rebuilding program for your digestive system.
2. Put an end to overeating! Always leave the table feeling like you could eat more.
3. Eat only unprocessed, chemical-free food.
4. Eat at regular times.
5. Give up all stimulants – coffee, tea, nicotine.  I know, it’s a tough one.
6. Get proper rest and sleep.
7. Chew food thoroughly. Hint: if you find whole corn niblets in your stool, you’re not chewing enough!!
8. Do not eat unless you are quiet and content.
9. Exercise is a must!
10. No straining of stool.
11. A four to ten inch elevated object, such as a footstool or pillow, should be placed in front of the toilet for you to rest your feet on while sitting for a bowel movement.  This allows for a more natural squatting position (better pelvic position) for elimination.
12. Massage abdomen 10 minutes morning and night and prior to movement (tennis ball may help).
13. Answer nature’s call after every meal. A person should go to the washroom twenty to thirty minutes after eating a meal even if they do not feel like they have to, in order to establish a regular bowel habit.
14. Positive Mental Attitude.
15. Lighten up – don’t tighten up