Constipation is a passage of small amounts of hard, dry stool, which is usually fewer than three times a week for the frequency.

Constipated people at times find it painful and difficult to have a bowel movement. Symptoms of constipation may also include, bloating, discomfort and sluggish movement.

There are people who defecate irregularly or those who do not have bowel movements everyday who thought they are constipated.

There is no exact number of daily or weekly bowel movements. The normal range, however, is from three times a week at a minimum and three times a day at a maximum.

Frequency of having a bowel movement depends from a person to persons. In most cases, constipation is temporary and not serious. However, it is a concern.

Constipation is the most common gastrointestinal complaint worldwide, which affects anybody, may the person be young or old, male or female. At one time or another, almost every person gets constipated.

Major causes include poor diet with low fiber intake, inadequate fluid consumption and lack of physical activity. It should be known as well that constipation might be due to other possible factors.

There are certain medical conditions and diseases that make a person susceptible to having constipation.

Diseases that cause constipation include neurological disorders, endocrine and metabolic disorders, and systemic conditions that affect the organ systems.

These disorders can slow down the movement of the fecal matter as it travels from the intestine to the colon, rectum and anus.

Neurological disorders that may cause constipation include:

– Stroke.

This condition is medically known as cerebrovascular accident and comes in different condition. When a person suffers from stroke, the person is paralyzed, may it be complete or partial.

With the inability of the muscles to move, the intestinal muscles are affected. The triggering factor for the intestinal muscles to contract is the movement of the major muscles of the body. In the case of a person with stroke, limited physical movement may likely happen.

– Spinal cord injuries or spinal cord anomalies.

With this condition, physical movement is halted to give the spinal cord the time to recover. In some cases, the condition may be permanent, such that with limited or constrained muscle activity, constipation is likely to happen.

– Parkinson’s disease.

Constipation may occur due to the improper functioning of the autonomic nervous system. The autonomic nervous system is the one responsible in regulating smooth muscle activity.

If this system is not working properly, the intestinal tract may work slowly, which eventually causes constipation. In addition, medications that are used to treat Parkinson’s disease, such as Arcane and Cotentin, are known to cause constipation.

– Chronic idiopathic intestinal pseudo-obstruction.

This is a rare condition with symptoms like the ones causing bowel obstruction. However, when the intestines undergo examination, there is no blockage present.

The symptoms of this condition are only due to nerve or muscle problems that eventually affect movement of food, fluid and air through the intestines. This condition may eventually cause constipation.

– Multiple sclerosis.

This condition interrupts the transmission of signals to and from the brain. The electrical impulses to the muscles that are involved in defecating can be disrupted, which in the end cause constipation.

With Multiple Sclerosis, it can also prevent the pelvic floor muscles from relaxing. Pelvic floor muscle aids expel the fecal matter.
In addition, Multiple Sclerosis has the tendency to block the natural increase in activity of the colon after meals.

Endocrine and metabolic disorders that may cause constipation include:

– Diabetes.

This condition exhibit surges of blood sugar level. If the blood sugar level rises, the intestinal nerves cannot function properly. The intestinal nerves are the ones responsible in controlling the time period in which the stool remains in the colon.

– Hypothryoidism.

This condition slows the digestive tract, causing constipation.

– Uremia.

It is the presence of too many chemical wastes such as urea.

Systemic disorders that may have the affected person experience constipating are the following:

– Lupus.

Digestive problems are common for people who are suffering from this auto-immune disease. This condition can affect any part of the body, including the intestine. Once the intestines are involved, bowel movement is affected.

– Scleroderma.

This condition comes with gastrointestinal anomalies. Some known are dyspepsia, restricted distension of the gastric antrum and diffuse gastrointestinal dysmotility. These conditions may eventually lead to constipation.

– Amyloidosis.

This condition develops amyloid deposits in the gastrointestinal tract, causing intestinal obstruction.

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Category: Medicines and Remedies
Keywords: constipation remedies, constipation treatment, constipation medications