How To Fix Constipation Permanently

Medically known as costiveness, constipation is a disorder caused due to improper or infrequent movement of bowels. Nearly 30 to 35 percent of adults suffer silently from this disorder. Lack of bowel movements cause bloating of the stomach and discomfort. Defecation being an important part of the digestive system, constipation can cause severe pain, bleeding and vomiting in chronic cases. Defecation ensures that the toxins and undigested particles are expelled from our body.

Constipation is caused mainly due to lifestyle and habits choices. Lack of fiber content in the diet can lead to prolonged suffering from constipation. Inadequate intake of fluidscan also add to the pains of constipation. Unsuitable medication, sedentary lifestyle, abuse of laxatives and stress can all contribute to constipation. If ignored this disorder leads to fecal impaction, a painful condition in which hardening of the stool takes place preventing any stool passage. This is the most extreme condition of constipation.

Constipation if ignored for long periods can also lead to the requirement of surgery where most of the colon is removed and the small intestine is connected to the rectum for easier passage of stool. Henceimmediate attention to constipation is important before it becomes a chronic case. Answers to the question ‘how to fix constipation permanently’ can be plenty but proper understanding of the condition along with its severity can help in treating constipation permanently.

An average adult normally has at least three or more bowel movements per week. Any irregularity in this schedule will be termed as normal constipation. Less than one bowel movement per week is considered as acute constipation and when this is accompanied by bleeding, severe pain and vomiting it is termed as chronic constipation requiring immediate medical attention. Different treatments are available for different levels of severity of constipation and hence should be used after proper and thorough evaluation of the condition.

Often the most common cure for fixing constipation permanently is suggested as increasing the fiber content in the diet. But these bulk forming fibers can be the cause of more problems not to mention just causing more constipation in case you have inadvertently reduced the fiber content in your diet. A sudden increase in fiber content in the diet is known to cause intestinal blockage, bloating, skin itching and rashes.

Roughages are also suggested to cure constipation permanently but prolonged intake of roughages can cause flatulence and severe abdominal cramps. Roughages also cause impaired gastrointestinal function leading to poor absorption of nutrients in digestive tract which causes weakness and fatigue.

Laxatives are another way of providing lubrication to stool particles. Different laxatives are used to treat different conditions for a permanent cure. Some laxatives contain mineral oils to lubricate the stool particles while others irritate the bowels to expel its contents. Some laxatives also contain compounds that help water retention in the colon. The water then mixes with the stool particles thereby softening it. Other laxatives contain saline compounds which stimulate the colon walls to contract and help in defecation.

 These laxatives may seem like a good way of fixing constipation permanently but prolonged usage of laxatives cause chronic constipation rather than easing it. Abuse of laxatives is the most common cause of constipation. The laxatives that contain mineral oils soften the stool for easy defecation but they do not break down the stool particles which causes the colon muscles to stretch during defecation. This stretching of the colon muscles can often cause rupturing leading to fissure.

The most common side effect of saline laxatives is severe indigestion. Impaired kidney function is another harmful side effect of saline laxatives. These laxatives also cause severe dehydration with prolonged usage and consequently decrease the potassium levels in the body. Abuse of saline laxatives also disturbs the urinary flow and emission of sodium from the body.

Enemas are extremely useful when treating chronic constipation especially when fecal impaction occurs. Enemas stimulate the colon muscles to contract and eliminate the stool. Enemas are also a quick solution for any type of constipation. After a full application of enema the defecation usually occurs within 15 minutes to an hour providing quick relief to the suffering individual.

Though enemas provide a quick solution prolonged usage of enemas like laxatives lead to chronic constipation, enemas also rupture and damage the colon walls. Hence use of enemas and laxatives is not recommended to pregnant women and children. Enemas also require experience to administer which means that you will have to run to your physician every time you need to use enema.

Honey is considered a mild natural laxative. Having a tablespoon of honey mixed in lukewarm water every morning can improve bowel movements. Different amounts of honey can be used to treat different levels of severity of constipation. honey is considered a natural laxative and hence safe when compared to enemas and laxatives but  although you may be able to easeover dosage of honey increases your blood sugar levels drastically and adds to your calorie intake causing more complications out the existing problem of constipation.

Surgery is often the last resort for a permanent solution for constipation. Many physicians suggest opting for surgery to permanently fix constipation. It is a painful solution which involves removing most of the colon and attaching the remaining rectum directly to the small intestine. The solution might work for sometime but in case you do not experience bowel movements for a week you are stuck with constipation yet again. But this time the situation gets more complicated as post surgery you cannot strain or stretch your muscles.

Some claim that exercising can help relieve constipation but a controlled study conducted by the University of California, Irvine did not find any relief provided by these exercises. It was claimed that exercises massage the muscles that surround the intestines and help improve bowel movement. The results of the study showed that the exercises had limited effect on people suffering from idiopathic constipation and have no effect on the rest of the population suffering from constipation.

Lack of proper knowledge, myths and misunderstandings lead to a cycle of constipation-relief-constipation and cause frustration and further discomfort. Hence it is recommended to weigh the pros and cons of the treatments before using them to fix constipation permanently.