Constipation
Constipation is a common disturbance of the digestive tract, in this condition, the bowels do not
move regularly, or are not completely emptied when they move.
Constipation is the chief cause of many diseases as such a condition produces toxins which find
their way into the blood stream and are carried to all parts of the body. This results in weakening
of the vital organs and lowering of the resistance of the entire system. Appendicitis, rheumatism,
arthritis, high blood pressure, cataract and cancer are only a few of the diseases in which
chronic constipation is an important predisposing factor.
The number of motions required for normal health varies from person to person. Most people
have one motion a day, some have two a day, while others have one every other day. However,
for comfort and health, at least one clear bowel movement a day is essential and considered
normal.
Symptoms
The most common symptoms of constipation are infrequency, irregularity or difficulty of
elimination due to hard faecal matter. Among the other symptoms are a coated tongue, foul
breath, loss of appetite, headache, dizziness, dark circles under the eyes, depression, nausea,
pimples on the face, ulcer in the mouth, constant fullness in the abdomen, diarrhoea alternating
with constipation, varicose veins, pain in the lumber region, acidity, heart burn, and insomnia.
Causes
The most important causes for chronic constipation are wrong diet and a faulty style of living. All
foods in their natural state contain a good percentage of ‘ropughage’ which is most essential in
preserving natural balance of foods and also in helping peristalsis - the natural rhythmic action
by means of which the food is passed down the alimentary canal. Much of the food we eat today
is very deficient in natural bulk or roughage and this results in chronic constipation.
Intake of refined and rich food lacking in vitamins and minerals, insufficient intake of water,
consumption of meat in large quantities, excessive use of strong tea and coffee, insufficient
chewing, overeating and wrong combination of foods, irregular habits of eating and drinking may
all contribute to poor bowel function. Other causes include faulty and irregular habit of
defeacation, frequent use of purgatives, weakness of abdominal muscles due to sedentary
habits, lack of physical activity and emotional stress and strain.
Diseases such as tumours or growths, a sluggish liver, colitis, spastic condition of the intestine,
hyperacidity, diseases of the rectum and colon, bad teeth, uterine diseases, diabetes, use of
certain drugs for treating other ailments, abnormal condition of the lower spine and enlargement
of the prostate glands can also cause chronic constipation.
Treatment
The most important factor in curing constipation is a natural and simple diet. This should consist
of unrefined food such as whole grain celerals, bran, honey, molasses, and lentills; green and
leafy vegetables, especially spinach, french beans, tomatoes, lettuce, onion, cabbage,
cauliflower, brussels, sprouts, celery, turnip, pumpkin, peas, beets, asparagus, carrot; fresh
fruits, especially pears, grapes, figs, papayas, mangoes, grapefruit, gooseberries, guava and
oranges ; dry fruits such as figs, raisins, apricots and dates ; milk products in the form of butter,
ghee and cream.
The diet alone is not enough. Food should be properly chewed-each morsel for at least 15 times.
Hurried meals and meals at odd times should be avoided. Sugar and sugary foods should be
strictly avoided because sugar steals B vitamins from the body, without which the intestines
cannot function normally. Foods which constipate are all products made of white flour, rice,
bread, pulses, cakes, pastries, biscuits, cheese, fleshy foods, preserves, white sugar and
Constipation
hard-boiled eggs.
Regular drinking of water is beneficial not only for constipation but also for cleaning the system,
diluting the blood and washing out poisons. Normally six to eight glasses of water should be
taken daily as it is essential for digesting and dissolving food nutrients so that they can be
absorbed and utilised by the body. Water should, however, not be taken with meals as it dilutes
the gastric juices essential for proper digestion. Water should be taken either half an hour before
or an hour after meals.
Generally all fruits, except banana and jack fruit, are beneficial in the treatment of constipation.
Certain fruits are however, more effective. Bael fruit is regarded as best of all laxatives. It cleans
and tones up the intestines. Its regular use for two or three months throws out even the old
accumulated faecal matter. Though generally used to check diarrhoea, bael contains both
laxative and constipative properties. It hardens the stools when they are loose and serves as a
laxative when the bowels are constipated. It should be preferably used in its original form and
before dinner. About 60 grams of the fruit will suffice for an adult.
Pears are regarded the next best fruit beneficial in the treatment of constipation. Patients
suffering from chronic constipation should better adopt an exclusive diet of this fruit or its juice
for few days, but in ordinary cases a medium-sized pear taken after dinner or with breakfast will
have the desired effect. The same is true of guava which, when eaten with seeds, gives
roughage to the diet and helps in the normal evacuation of the bowels.
Grapes have also proved highly beneficial in overcoming constipation. The combination of the
properties of the cellulose, sugar and organic acid in grapes make them a laxative food. Their
field of action is not limited to clearing the bowels only. They also tone up the stomach and
intestines and relieve the most chronic constipation. One should take atleast 350 grams of
grapes daily to achieve the desired results. When fresh grapes are not available, raisins soaked
in water can be used. Raisins should be soaked in a tumblerful of drinking water for 24 to 48
hours. This would swell them to the original size of the grapes. The raisins should be eaten early
in the morning. The water in which raisins are soaked should be drunk along with the soaked
raisins.
Drinking hot water with sour lime juice and half a teaspoon of salt is also an effective remedy for
constipation. Drinking water which has been kept overnight in a copper vessel, the first thing in
the morning will bring good results. Linseed is extremely useful in difficult cases of constipation.
A teaspoon of linseed swallowed with water before each meal provides both bulk and lubrication.
In all ordinary cases of constipation, an exclusive fruit diet for about seven days would be the
best way to begin the treatment. For long-standing and stubborn cases, it should be advisable to
have a short fast for four or five days. This will drive out the packed contents of the bowels,
eliminate toxins and purify the blood stream. Weak patients may take orange juice during the
period of fasting. After the all-fruit diet or the short fast, as the case may be, the patient should
gradually embark upon a balanced diet comprising adequate raw foods, ripe fruits and whole
grain cereals. It some cases, further short periods on fruits or short fasts may be necessary at
intervals of two months or so,depending on the progress being made. The bowels should be
cleansed daily through a warm water enema for a few days at the commencement of the
treatment.
A cold friction bath taken daily in the morning can help cure constipation. An alternate hot and
cold hit bath taken before retiring to bed is also beneficial. Abdominal exercise and manual or
mechanical vibratory massage have a refreshing and stimulating effect in many cases.
Toning up the muscles also helps in the treatment of constipation. Fresh air, outdoor games,
walking, swimming, gardening and exercise play an important role in strengthening and
activating the muscles, thereby preventing constipation .
Certain yogic asanas also help to bring relief from constipation as they strengthen the abdominal
and pelvic muscles and stimulate the peristalic action of the bowels. These asanas are
:bhujansana, shalabhasana, yogamudra, dhanurasana, halasana, paschimotanasana.
Pranayamas such as anuloma-viloma and bhastrika and jalaneti kriys are also helpful.
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