CONSTIPATION

Difficult and delayed passage of stool. It is one of the most bothersome problems. Almost every other person suffers from constipation. Over a period of time, this results in tears in the rectum. Constipation leads to headache and overall discomfort. Constipation is usually called mother of diseases ( Umm ul amraaz = in Urdu / Persian ) Some of the best cures are obtained by changing dietary habits. The diet must include fibrous food, lots of vegetables, fruit, and other roughage. Whole-wheat bread should be preferred to while bread. Regular exercise helps.Routine use of laxatives should be avoided. Sufficient quantities of liquids must be consumed. Causes :- According to the medical dictioneries the main causes of constipation include: • Hardening of the feces o Insufficient intake of dietary fiber o Dehydration from any cause or inadequate fluid intake o Medication, e.g. diuretics and those containing iron, calcium, aluminum • Paralysis or slowed transit, where peristaltic action is diminished or absent, so that feces are not moved along o Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland) o Hypokalemia o Injured anal sphincter (patulous anus) o Medications, such as loperamide, opioids (e.g. codeine & morphine) and certain tricyclic antidepressants o Severe illness due to other causes o Acute porphyria (a rare inherited condition) o Lead poisoning o Lactose Intolerance o Dyschezia (usually the result of suppressing defecation) • Diverticula o Tumors, either of the bowel or surrounding tissues • Obstructed defecation, due to: o Mechanical causes from morphological abnormalities of the anorectum including megarectum, rectal prolapse, rectocele, and enterocele o Functional causes from neurological disorders and dysfunction of the pelvic floor muscles or anorectal muscles, including anismus, descending perineum syndrome, and Hirschsprung's disease o Retained foreign body or a bezoar • Psychosomatic constipation, based on anxiety or unfamiliarity with surroundings. o Functional constipation o Constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome, characterized by a combination of constipation and abdominal discomfort and/or pain[8] • Smoking cessation (nicotine has a laxative effect)[9] • Abdominal surgery, other types of surgery, childbirth • Severe dehydration • Some causes are with particular respect to infants:[10] o Switching from breast milk to bottle feeds, or to solid meals o Potty training anxiety o Hirschsprung’s disease - a condition from birth where the child has a nerve cell defect that affects communication between the brain and bowels There are many things you can do to prevent constipation. They include :- • Eating more fruits, vegetables and grains, which are high in fiber. • Drinking plenty of water and other liquids • Getting enough exercise • Taking time to have a bowel movement when you need to • Using laxatives only if your doctor says you should • Asking your doctor if medicines you take may cause constipation It's not important that you have a bowel movement every day. If your bowel habits change, however, check with your doctor. HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES ALUMEN 200: • Constipation of the most aggravated kind. No desire for days. Marble-like masses. Rectum full. • Violent ,ineffectual urging to stool. • Itching in anus, rectum raw after stool. ALUMINA 30: • No desire. No ability. • From dryness of intestinal tract and lack of peristaltic action. Complete intertia of the rectum. Even soft stool is expelled with difficulty. • Large stool accumulates inside. Has to strain before and during motion. • No appetite. Mouth dry. Tongue irritated. • Stool is hard, dry, knotty. • Of women with sedentary habits. • During pregnancy. • Of infants. Of old persons. • Worse in the morning, on waking up. BRYONIA 200: • Absolutely no desire. • Stool dry, hard as if burnt. Caused by absence of secretions in the intestines. CAUSTICUM 200: • Constipation with tenesmus. Face becomes red while starining to pass stool. • Can pass stool only when standing. • Swollen piles; moist, raw, burning. • Worse on walking. GRAPHITES 200: • No urging. No stool for days together. Then blotches appear on the face. • With hemorrhoids and fissures which burn and itch severely. • Obese persons of sensitive and sad temperament they are nervous and find it difficult to concentrate. LYCOPODIUM 200: • Obstinate constipation. No desire to pass stool although inside is full. • Flatulence. For days no urge. • First stool hard; later gushing. MAGNESIA MUR 200: • Of infants during dentition. Stool hard, crumbles at the verge of anus. NAT MUR 200: • Obstinate retention of stool. Rectum dry, inactive. • Stool large but difficult to expel. • Anus torn, bleeding. NUX VOM 200: • Frequent desire to pass stool; yet, each time a small quantity is passed. • Constipation in persons leading a fast life and indulging in alcoholic drinks. Fond of late nights. OPIUM 200: • Obstinate constipation. No urge for days. No discomfort. • Stool hard, dark balls. PARAFFINE 30: • Obstinate constipation o children. • Chronic constipation with hemorrhoids. PULSATILLA 200: • Chronic. Troublesome. Dysentery. Diarrhea alternate. • Stool large, hard, difficult to wake out. • No two motions alike. • Blind hemorrhoids with stitching pain. SEPIA 200: • Obstinate constipation in children, stool has to be physically removed. SILICEA 200: • Typical of teething children. Rectum weak, paralyzed. Expulsive power of the rectum lost, stool protrudes, slips back. SULPHUR 200: • Chronic. • Renders instant help. Acts as a catalyst for other medicines.