Showing posts with label Constipation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Constipation. Show all posts

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Does vitamin d cause constipation




Vitamin D supplements causing constipation?

It sure seems unlikely that the vitamin D is causing constipation. But if you are vitamin D deficient, it is not smart to stop the Vitamin D- and actually 2000 IU's is a MINISCULE dose that is a MAINTENANCE DOSE FOR TODDLERS according to most Vitamin D Researchers. If you have not had your Vitamin D Levels checked, I encourage you to do so as having a level between 40 to 80 can prevent up to 75% of breast and colon cancer, prevents heart disease, and YES, relieves the symptoms of Fibromyalgia and other chronic pain conditions.

It's probably MORE likely that you are constipated because of Magnesium Deficiency. And as it takes magnesium to convert Vitamin D into the active form, you may just be using up more magnesium than usual and causing constipation.

Don't stop the D, just take a magnesium supplement (anything but magnsium oxide) and increase the magnesium slowly until you have between 1 to 3 soft bowel movements a day. If you get loose stools, then just decrease the dosage a little, but don't STOP taking the magnesium.

Kerri Knox, RN
Functional Medicine Practitioner
http://www.easy-immune-health.com

Does magnesium help constipation

Before taking supplemental magnesium, or any over-the-counter remedy, it is extremely important that you discuss the matter with your doctor, as only your doctor knows your complete medical history. Your physician will be able to tell you if there is anything about your medical picture that would put you at risk should you start taking a magnesium supplement. A particular red-flag would be raised if you suffer from any kind of kidney disease because magnesium is excreted through the kidneys. If your kidneys are not functioning well, you could be at risk for having excessive magnesium in your system.

Magnesium and constipation relief have been associated for a long time but the clinical evidence is not so strong as the reputation magnesium has for ending constipation.

Magnesium Citrate is used as a medication for constipation because it can be bought without a prescription from your local pharmacy or retail stores.

Magnesium supplements can take one to four hours to produce a bowel movement, but if constipation is severe it may take longer or possibly not work at all.

It is important to note that a magnesium and constipation can be related by way of taking excess calcium as a supplement. If this is the case, then magnesium is needed to balance the calcium on the digestive tract.

For this reason some people, such as menopausal women, might be better to take a calcium supplement that also contains magnesium. Always consult your physician about these types of changes to your diet or supplement regimen.

What the Research Says about Magnesium and Constipation...

Although magnesium does have a well-established reputation for its laxatives qualities, research support for the use of magnesium as a treatment of constipation is not altogether conclusive.

One of the best indicators was a 2006 study that looked at the relationship between constipation and water, fiber, and magnesium intake.

This was a fairly large study involving more than 3000 participants and showed that constipation was NOT found to be associated with low fiber intake or low intake of water from fluids.

Constipation WAS associated with low intake of magnesium and low intake of water from foods.

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Suppository For Constipation

Suppository is a way to provide treatment by inserting through the rectum. Most of the purpose of suppositories is to soften the stool so it is easy to remove so that it can relieve symptoms of constipation.

If the suppository has been entered in the rectum about one inch, this will stimulate nerve endings wall of the rectum and colon, then the muscles in the bowel wall will begin to contract and break up any dirt through the intestine so that it will relieve constipation.

How to use suppositories to relieve constipation

• Open the suppository from its packaging and put a lubricant on the end of its round with jelly.
• Insert the suppository about an inch into the rectum by using one finger, Make sure the suppository pointed tip first entered
• Keep yourself lying on the left side with left knee slightly bent, and raise your right knee so it touches the chest.
• After the suppository into the rectum, remain lying down for 15 minutes to ensure it does not evacuate before the melts.
• Wait about 15-30 minutes until you feel the results, wash your hands to prevent infection.

There are certain conditions where you should not use suppositories such as intestinal blockage, appendicitis, bowel disease, anal fissures or rectal tears, Persistent constipation, allergic reactions to medication, severe abdominal pain, pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or nursing.

Suppositories is a stimulant laxative that you can use as a temporary solution to relieve symptoms of constipation. However, do not be used repeatedly, because prolonged use can cause chronic diarrhea that can cause low potassium levels and electrolyte imbalance. This imbalance often leads to kidney problems. If you do not find relief from your symptoms or before deciding to use a suppository to relieve constipation, always consult your physician first.

Saturday, December 31, 2011

Foods That Relieve Constipation




However constipation would be associated with food. We need to know what foods, which have a major influence in relieving constipation. Best food for constipation, is that contain fiber, so as to relieve the performance of the digestive tract.

Important factor that must be considered to relieve with constipation is to increase intake of fiber in your diet everyday. It is recommended you consume 20-25 grams of fiber intake per day. Fibers will form a gel-like substance that can soften the stool. The source can easily be found in fruits, vegetables, nuts, and whole grains.

Many fruits such as Apricots, Figs, Papaya, Peaches, Pears, Pineapple, Prunes is a good source of dietary fiber, in addition to other benefits such as rich in vitamins and minerals, taking it can ease the process and load the intestine, in performing his duties as a a tool of digestibility. Similarly with other existing sources of fiber in vegetables such as Artichoke hearts, asparagus, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, green beans, peas and squash. Canella, garbanzo, kidney, navy, pinto, Chard, kale and spinach are another list that you can consider as a menu to relieve your constipation.

There are so many foods that we can eat to alleviate constipation. Constipation sometimes occurs by the way we take care of our body. How we feed our self greatly contributes to our over all well being. These foods does not only relieves constipation it also a good source of antioxidant which means it is good for the skin and over all health.

Apple Juice For Constipation




What's in your mind when experiencing constipation, laxatives may be a way out, but honestly, I do not like anything that smells of chemicals, why not try the apple juice to avoid constipation. It should be underlined, constipation is a symptom, so do not think you suffered from abdominal pain. Said to be constipated when we defecate less than three times a week.

Apple Juice For Constipation

Indeed there are many ways to avoid constipation, from light exercise to a laxative, if we like the natural thing, it's time to consider the apple juice as a way out of the attack of constipation. Apart from a very simple way, we do not need hard to get apples around.

When faced mild constipation, drink fresh apple juice (preferably in pear juice added) soon after you wake up in the morning and one hour before you sleep at night. Pears are very useful as a source of vitamins, fiber and minerals that can clean the colon.

When facing chronic constipation, drink fresh apple and pear juice 3 to 4 glasses per day. Try to make your own apple juice, so it will be more fresh and avoid preservatives. If things are not possible, drink apple juice in containers can be used as a last resort.

Just a suggestion based on experience, if you want to achieve a rapid effect in dealing with constipation (especially for adults) before breakfast drink 2 to 3 glasses of prune juice and the next half hour drinking fresh apple juice. An hour later, drink a glass of apple juice back again, during this process Come closer to the bathroom.

If things get worse, stop drinking apple juice and do not hesitate to immediately consult a doctor, there may be other problems that you experienced in addition to constipation.

Monday, November 21, 2011

Foods that make you bloated



There are many foods that we consume daily can causing the stomach to be bloated. The following will be mentioned several foods that make you bloated.

• Limit your intake of foods such as cabbage, beans, cauliflower, prunes, and apricots. Nuts contain sugars that are difficult to digest, called oligosaccharides. Sugar should be broken down by bacteria in the gut. While cauliflower, cabbage, prunes and apricots contain sugars and starches that can cause gas and abdominal bloating.

• Limit chewing gum and carbonated beverages, especially with high levels of sorbitol.

• Dairy products and processed can make the intestines and cause abdominal distress bloating when trouble digesting lactose or milk sugar.

• Do not eat too fast so that enough signal to your body when to feel full, - Eat meals with small portions but frequently.

• Foods high in fiber such as whole bean can provide health benefits. Unfortunately, sometimes high-fiber foods can cause abdominal bloating. The experts recommend that you increase fiber intake gradually so the body can adjust. When eating foods high in fiber, should include water.

"The whole fiber absorbs water," said Joanne L Slavin, professor of food science and nutrition from the University of Minnesota. Drinking water will help the fiber move through the digestive system and prevent the occurrence of abdominal bloating and constipation.

What does constipation feel like, causes and prevention.

Did you ever suffer from constipation? If so, maybe you know what does constipation feel like? Actually, what is constipation ... some say, when attacked by constipation, feel like twisting ...The entire abdominal cavity feels chaotic, feel like uncertain. Bloating, nausea, and stomach feeling full, and make a decreased appetite. Constipation is a state of retained stool (feces) in the colon in a long time because of the difficulty spending. It happened because of the weakness or absence of peristaltic movements of the colon.

Chronic constipation is a dangerous condition because it can lead to other serious illnesses. Constipation causes the gathering body of toxins and waste that should be excluded, so that the toxins are sucked back into the blood and poison the whole system and cause disease. Therefore the contents of the stomach must be removed at least once a day.

Constipation in adults, pregnant women and in children, the cause could be different, could be due to diet, habits, and stress.

In adults
• an unbalanced diet, such as a lack of fiber foods (vegetables, fruits, beans, mashed rice, jelly, etc.).
• lack of fluid that causes soft stool is not even a hardened like a stone (not a lack of drinking 8 glasses of water per day)
• The habit of delaying bowel movements, this led to the desire to defecate, it has increasingly lost.
• Lack of motion activity and jobs that require sitting for too long. This causes the colon so the stool less hard work down
• mechanical disorders of the intestine such as cancer, inflammation of the bowel wall, bowel protruding and others. Disorders of the digestive tract that causes the digestive process is also disrupted, so that bowel movements become smooth and irregular.
• Side effects of certain medications such as antidepressant drugs, medicines and painkillers, iron supplements, calcium carbonate, aluminum carbonate antacid; some antidepressants and some anti-high blood pressure
• Use of laxatives on a long time. This is because the muscles of the rectum can no longer react naturally because of constantly being forced by laxatives. This usually occurs in women who used laxatives for slimming.
• emotions it can also cause constipation. People who are depressed or sad and experiencing stress often suffer from constipation. These emotions can affect peristaltic movements of the colon.

In pregnant women
• First, they often change dietary fiber foods into low-yield foods, or soft foods. So the body's production of waste is reduced.
• Second, the growing baby's birth canal because of the growth, causing rectum (anus) and colon (large intestine) depressed so that bowel movements become difficult.
• Third during the pregnancy hormone the body produces more progesterone. This causes the intestinal muscle movement becomes slower, so the process of removing waste body becomes blocked or difficult.



In children or babies
• less fiber, excessive intake of milk formula
• congenital abnormalities (intestinal or neural)
• drug toxicity, metabolic disorders, or psychological disorders (difficulty toilet training)
If constipation is held in a long time and can often lead to a more dangerous disease. Persistent constipation cause straining habit when defecating. It may cause dilation of blood vessels in the anus and the subsequent swelling and eventually arise anus bulge out, so there was piles (hemorrhoids). Hemorrhoids require more serious treatment of constipation, because the problem is more complex. Not only is it difficult to defecate, but there has been a bulge out of the anus that cause uncomfortable and painful condition. Prolonged constipation can also trigger the occurrence of tumors in the colon, because the substances and harmful impurities that have spent too long to settle in the intestine, so that would be toxic that trigger cancerous cell or carcinogenic.

Prevent constipation
Handling both constipation in adults, pregnant women and children and infants, the most secure in a natural way. To prevent this, a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet should be applied.

Here are some things that must be considered to prevent constipation

• consuming foods rich in fiber like fruits and vegetables. Fiber works to suck the water so the stools become soft and easily removed, fiber can also help remove cholesterol from the intestine.
• Drink water at least 2 liters a day. Water helps the digestive process of food ie food that softens and dissolves the water soluble, so that the juices easily absorbed food and food waste (feces) does not harden.
• Reduce drinking coffee or soft drinks that contain caffeine
• Infants who drink formula usually hardened feces. To soften it needs to be given food fruits and vegetables.
• Do not delay bowel movements, bowel habit every day,
• Conducting gestures such as exercising in order to facilitate the body's metabolism.
• Do not sit too long throughout the day, interspersed with a walk.

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Is constipation a sign of pregnancy?

The most common early sign of pregnancy is constipation. This is due to an increase in the hormone progesterone which can cause digestive work more slowly.

Symptoms of constipation can vary from one person to another. Some people feel bloated, and when defecating spherule shaped like rabbit droppings. Others have difficulty defecating. Someone said to have constipation if the bowel movement fewer than three times a week.

Complaints of constipation during pregnancy can actually be prevented, so there must always be experienced. Even normally be increasingly felt in late pregnancy. This is because their baby's head begins to fall and hit the gut.

Decreased peristalsis in the gastrointestinal tract

Thus, movement of food in the intestine of pregnant women are slower than usual. This is what also causes the stomach feel full and bloated, but maybe just eat a little. Decreased peristaltic motion is caused by increased levels of the hormone progesterone in a pregnant woman's body.

Actually, the increased production of this hormone aims to provide a relaxing effect on smooth muscle in the uterus. That way, the baby can stay in the womb until enough time to be born. Only, because both consist of smooth muscle, gastrointestinal tract involved be affected. Join the movement slowed intestinal peristalsis that facilitates the occurrence of constipation. However, this slowdown in fact be advantageous, because the absorption of food better. For pregnancy, of course it was important for the mother and fetus of nutrition.

Incorrect diet or poor diet

Usually, a pregnant mother to be "difficult" to eat. It was evident from his attitude that became very picky. Typically, pregnant women prefer to snack, or if they eat, the food chosen is less fiber. Well, because less fiber is then constipation occurs.

Lack of drinking

Due to rapid stomach feel bloated or full due to the slow peristaltic earlier, pregnant women are usually reluctant to drink a lot. Moreover, because pregnancy makes women become more frequent urination, then deliberately reduced the amount of water they drink. Though less drinking will cause the stools to be hard, so hard to be issued and there was constipation.

Hirschsprung disease and hemorrhoids

Although rare, constipation in pregnancy can also be caused by disorders that had been there since before pregnancy. Example, intestinal valve abnormalities called Hirschsprung disease. The disease is caused by congenital abnormalities of the gastrointestinal tract innervation at the end of which resulted in the dirt so hard to pass. If the situation lightly, in the period before pregnancy, Hirschsprung may not cause interference. New at the time of pregnancy, in which abnormalities coupled with other factors, then there was constipation.



In addition, during pregnancy the mother is also not infrequently experienced hemorrhoids or hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids can indeed come from before the pregnancy, but this new disorder generally occurs during pregnancy. Hemorrhoids appear later, initially caused by the relaxation of vascular smooth muscle as a result of rising levels of progesterone. These hemorrhoids will become more severe, if a mother should always be pushing each time the poop. This alone makes the pushing action of existing hemorrhoids worse and feels the pain, in fact rarely bled.

As a result, pregnant women become increasingly afraid to defecate, plus the constant bleeding is not impossible tails anemia. In the meantime, if you stool stuck too long in the colon, the water content will be absorbed again so there was hardening. The process of defecation even more problems later, and constipation will get worse.

Here are 4 tips to relieve constipation during pregnancy.

1. Exercise regularly
Exercise can help prevent constipation. No need vigorous exercise, simply by running lighter then the waste water could run more smoothly.

2. Drink plenty of water
During pregnancy, water absorption by the intestine will increase. The water will be used also for fetal growth. That's because, pregnant women should drink more water so that feces contain enough water so it is more easily removed.

3. Taking vitamin and mineral supplements
Several types of supplements can cause bloating and constipation.
Research shows that if a pregnant woman should take a calcium supplement, choose one that is easily soluble. Antacids (antacids) that contain aluminum can also cause constipation so be sure to avoid it. Consult your doctor before taking supplements to ensure safety.

4. Laxative
Some pregnant women may need to take laxatives to relieve constipation. Laxatives work as surfactants to lower the voltage between the walls of the intestines and feces so that bowel movements more smoothly.

How to fix your constipation?

If you've found a sign of constipation, it can be fix with non-pharmacological therapy (lifestyle modifications) and pharmacological therapy.

Constipation is a symptom of unsatisfactory defecation, which is marked by a bowel movement fewer than three times a week, or difficulty in stool evacuation due to hard stools.



It is characterized by symptoms of straining, hard stools, feeling of the existence of barriers to the rectum, stool evacuation manually, and bowel movements less than three times per week. Constipation can become chronic if the symptoms are found two or more of six symptoms within at least 12 weeks, other symptoms to watch out for is the existence of drastic weight loss, change in bowel habit, bleeding through the anus, and often suffer from stomach cramps.

Constipation can be divided into two kinds. Which is, primary and secondary. Called primary because it is functional or idiopathic constipation, usually no known cause. The so-called secondary or organic constipation is constipation that is caused by a disease / condition, such as diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, anxiety, depression and other illnesses. If you've found a sign of constipation, it can be fix with non-pharmacological therapy (lifestyle modifications) and pharmacological therapy.

Non-pharmacological therapies, performed by increasing physical activity, avoid medicines that can cause constipation, increase the concentration of fiber consumed and drink enough, and fix habits bowel movement, such as avoid the pushing and getting pooped after a meal or a time deemed appropriate. While pharmacological therapy carried out with soften the stool, increased peristalsis, or bowel movements with an osmotic laxative (lactulose) and a stimulant laxative

Here are practical tips how to fix your constipation

1. Make sure you are not in a state of dehydration. One of the main characteristics of the body in a state of dehydration is the reduced frequency of micturition and urine color is darker than usual.

2. If indeed the body had signs of dehydration, drink extra fluids according to the ability to taste.

3. Once you are pretty sure are not in a state of dehydration, do not force yourself to drink more. This proved to be effective against constipation, and will cause discomfort in the abdomen.

4. Use laxatives that have been proven effective and can be obtained free at Pharmacies. If laxatives are not also solve your problem, then you should go to the doctor to make sure no serious digestive disorders.

Relation of calcium and constipation




Consumption of calcium does have a significant relation with constipation, but constipation will occur when we over-consumption of calcium, which is more than 2500 mg per day.

To that end, if you are taking calcium supplements, then consume these supplements in the recommended amount is about 1200-1300 mg per day for adults.

To prevent constipation while you are taking calcium supplements, then you can compensate by consuming foods rich in magnesium such as fruit, nuts, seeds, cashew nuts, peas, cabbage, fish, etc., and drink more water.

For calcium supplements, then you should divide your calcium intake, for example, if you consume 1000 mg of calcium then eat into each of these 500 mg 2 times a day, eg after breakfast and dinner.

Calcium supplements can have a mild binding effect but by themselves don’t usually cause serious constipation. But if you’re taking another supplement or medication that binds the stool, the addition of calcium supplements could cause a problem.

Although it doesn’t happen often, some people have taken so much calcium that it causes hypercalcemia, an above-normal level of calcium in the blood. Hypercalcemia may cause nausea, vomiting, confusion, and other neurological symptoms.

Related Magnesium and Constipation

Food sources of magnesium are generally a source of fiber. Fiber is useful to prevent constipation because it can absorb water in large enough quantities in the digestive tract, so that the feces become soft and the pressure in the colon is reduced.

Magnesium is a macro mineral that the body needs to normalize blood pressure and affect the performance of the hormone insulin, so the disease can be controlled hypertension and diabetes. It turned out that magnesium also expedite the process of defecation.

In nature, magnesium is often encountered as part of the leaf chlorophyll, which is at the core of the chlorophyll. The role of magnesium in the chlorophyll of plants similar to the role of iron in the hemoglobin of human blood. Magnesium is also involved in several metabolic processes. In humans, about 60 percent of 20-28 mg of magnesium contained in bones and teeth, 26 percent in the muscle, and the remainder in soft tissues and body fluids.

Magnesium increases water in your intestines which help initiate peristalsis (the wavelike motion which moves fecal matter through your intestines). Peristalsis also pushes food into your stomach.

The laxative effect of magnesium appears to come through two different mechanisms: Magnesium relaxes the muscles in the intestines---this helps to establish a smoother rhythm that helps eliminate constipation.
Magnesium also attracts water---this increased amount of water in the colon serves to soften the stool, helping to make stools easier to pass and thus removing constipation.

Since your intestines will be absorbing this excess water from your body it is very important to drink plenty of water after taking Magnesium. This will keep you from becoming dehydrated.

Is Banana Cause Constipation?




But if the banana is consumed immature, it can lead to difficulty in bowel movements or constipation.

Actually, bananas contain pectin and identified as a source of fiber. Consume a banana can donate 15 percent of the overall intake of fiber needed by the body. Maturity of bananas also determine whether the bananas consumed can cause constipation or not.

Potassium is found in ripe bananas can help alleviate the condition of diarrhea because it serves as an electrolyte replacement is needed by the body, while frukto oligosaccharides found in bananas can inhibit fermentation in the intestinal tract and help prevent constipation for some particular cases.

But if the banana is consumed immature, it can lead to difficulty in bowel movements or constipation. Raw bananas will be much more difficult to digest by the body and it is bitter because they contain tannins. Besides this type of banana also contains starch that many conditions that contribute to constipation.

Person should not consume more than two bananas per day, it is recommended to keep the bowel movements remain healthy. Start with the consumption of one banana a day to see if it affects the digestive system or not.

Define Constipation

Constipation is a condition where a person is having difficulty in bowel movements or infrequent bowel movements.

Constipation is a disorder of the digestive system, where someone is having hardening of the stool, making it difficult to remove, and can cause great pain for the sufferer.

Lack of physical activity and too little fiber in the diet is a cause that is often found in chronic constipation. Vegetables, fruits and whole grains are good sources of fiber. To be able to work well, fiber must be consumed with large amounts of fluid.

While psychological factors play a role in acute constipation or chronic constipation. Patients with constipation have hard stools, which may be difficult to remove. Patients also felt the rectum has not completely empty.

If constipation is caused by a disease, then the disease should be treated. If no other disease as the cause, prevention and best treatment for constipation, is a combination of exercise, diet rich in fiber, and the use of appropriate medications for a while.

Friday, October 21, 2011

Coffee & Constipation

Coffee can cure constipation.

Is true if the caffeine in coffee can stimulate the digestive system in order to contract the muscles, but the coffee could help cure constipation because of its diuretic properties that actually triggers the body to urinate frequently (when the body needs water in order to 'disposal' smoothly). So if you are constipated, better stay away from diuretic beverages such as alcohol, caffeinated tea, and cola.

What is constipation?

Said to be constipated, if the frequency of bowel movement fewer than three times a week, or if the form of hard stool and a small round object. This condition is caused by too long a stay feces in the colon, so the hardened feces. One sign of constipation is we have a lot of straining during bowel movements, or have long waiting for 'something' out.

How to get relief from constipation?

• Drink warm water, if constipation occurs in the morning.
• Drink plenty of juice or fruit juice.
• Perform with shower spraying water directly into the anal region, to stimulate spending feces.
• Use liquid laxatives are directly inserted into the anus. Although somewhat effective laxative liquid than other types, still do not use more than 2 weeks.
• Add the consumption of water you drink today, at least 2 more glasses per day.
• Stop caffeinated drinks, like coffee and tea, milk, and soft drink, until normal bowel movements again.
• & If stubborn constipation, consume a fiber supplement every day, as part of the diet.