Can Constipation Be Permanently Cured

For the individuals suffering from constipation the only question on their minds is ‘Can constipation be permanently cured?’ Many marketers of constipation solutions have hence used this worry to their maximum advantage. There are many solutions available in the market that claim to permanently cure constipation but each solution comes with its own side effects. Hence if you are already suffering from the pain of constipation it is recommended that you research every solution before using it to treat constipation only to find out that it worsens the condition.

In answering the question, ‘Can constipation be permanently cured?’ is definitely not easy since the process of treatment is usually long drawn and results vary from person to person. The process involves understanding the condition of constipation, causes, the physiology of every individual and the pros and cons of every treatment available. Constipation occurs due to impaired bowel movement. On an average every adult should experience daily bowel movements. If you experience less than three bowel movements per week then you are suffering from acute constipation.

Chronic constipation is an extreme condition where the individual experiences less than one bowel movement per week. Chronic constipation if left untreated leads to fecal impaction. Fecal impaction is an extremely painful condition where the stool hardens in the rectum preventing further defecation. Fecal impaction impairs normal daily activities like walking or sitting and causes rectal bleeding.

The most common causes of constipation are improper diet, erratic schedules and sedentary lifestyles. Constipation causes physical pain and mental trauma which aggravates the condition. Many physicians would suggest the inclusion of fibers and intake of plenty of fluids to avoid or treat constipation but an independent study conducted by the University of California has proved otherwise. The study results showed that drinking 8-10 glasses of water alone to treat constipation is a myth.

The study results showed that individuals with normal to excess intake of fluid were equally susceptible to and suffered from constipation just as the individuals with comparatively less intake of fluids. The popular belief that increased intake of fluids softens the stool particles for easier defecation is simply a myth. Similarly inclusion of fibers and roughages had limited or no effect on individuals suffering from constipation.

Increased intake of fiber and roughages instead was found to cause flatulence and severe indigestion. Increased consumption of roughages was also found to interfere with the absorption of nutrients in the digestive tract causing weakness and fatigue. Sudden increases of fiber in the diet also resulted in allergic reactions in many of the individuals who participated in the study. Hence it is advised to restrict the intake of fibers between 10-15 grams per day however the intake of fibers or roughages was found to have little or no effect on constipation.

Laxatives are the most common over the counter answers to the question, ‘Can constipation be permanently cured?’. Laxatives not only provide immediate relief but some manufacturers claim that the laxatives are manufactured using natural products hence they can be safely used over prolonged time periods without the worry of side effects. Research has proved otherwise. Several studies conducted over years has proved that prolonged usage of laxatives not only worsens the condition of constipation by causing chronic constipation they also cause kidney damage.

Laxatives used regularly just for a few months caused trembling, dizziness, nausea, eating disorders and dehydration. Unknown to many, abuse of laxatives is also a main cause of constipation. Laxatives work by irritating or stimulating the colon walls to expel its contents. They do nothing beyond helping your colon muscles contract to expel the stool particles. If the stool particles have hardened then they pose a risk of rupturing and damaging the colon muscles often causing rectal bleeding.

Colon hydrotherapy is another popular treatment that claims to cure constipation permanently. There is no evidence to support the efficacy of colon hydrotherapy or colon cleansing. Both the treatments involve cleansing of the gastrointestinal tract with chemicals and then inserting a tube into the colon to flush it with water. The treatments are not only painful but extremely expensive. The treatments neither guarantee permanent cure. In fact, the American Cancer Society and other medical associations have spoken out against the claims of colon cleansers and advised the general public to stay away from these hoax claims.

Research has found that colon hydrotherapy and colon cleansers damage the intestinal flora in the digestive tract. These microorganisms are extremely beneficial for proper digestion and bowel movements. These microorganisms also help keep the levels of harmful bacteria within limits. Damaging these microorganisms leads to severe indigestion, chronic constipation and other gastrointestinal problems.

Constipation is often considered a minor problem and is never taken seriously. The misunderstandings and myths surrounding constipation make it all the more difficult to effectively treat constipation. Over the years the occurrence of constipation has not only increased the condition has also worsened. Stressful lifestyles, improper eating habits all contribute to constipation.

Like the treatments of constipation, the condition itself has many side effects of its own. The bloating caused by constipation not only causes discomfort, in extreme cases it also causes difficulty in breathing. Constipation can affect your overall well being. Defecation is a process to remove all the dirt and toxins from our body, constipation prevents the removal of toxins from the body thereby rendering the immune system weaker and incapable of fighting of common infections.

Constipation causes the colon walls to become a perfect place for parasites to breed and multiply thus making you more susceptible to infections. The parasites also corrode and damage the colon muscles. This increases the risk of colon cancer. Research has proved that individuals suffering from regular constipation which if left untreated are at a greater risk of developing colon cancer.

Constipation also leads to a variety of cardiovascular diseases, poor bone health, diabetes and various types of cancer. Hence rather than shrugging off constipation as a minor problem and reaching for the common solutions think before you create a frustrating and perhaps never ending pattern of constipation and relief.