Constipation

Introduction

Constipation is the sluggish motion of waste through the lower part of the bowels. Because the waste spends a long time in the bowels, more water is absorbed from it resulting in hard, dry, pellet like stools which are difficult to eliminate. Forcing stools out may result in the splitting and bleeding of the anal opening.

Ideally the bowels should move and empty twice or three times a day, the stool should be bulky and soft so that it can be eliminated without any need to push.

When stool stays in the bowels for a long time before elimination, some of the toxins are re-absorbed into the blood and carried around the body. While in the bowels, the putrefying bacteria resident in the bowel break down some of the partially digested foods producing harmful toxic substances including toxic amines, some of which are also absorbed into the blood circulation.

In cases where constipation is followed by diarrhoea, as may occur in some types of IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), the hard stool stuck on the bowel wall may not necessarily come off and bacteria will continue putrefying the stool and releasing toxic substances into the blood.

Overall, the prolonged presence of stool in the bowels increases the risk of chronic disease and especially bowel diseases.

Conventional treatment

The conventional treatments offered include laxatives, bulking agents, fibre, stool softening agents, mineral oil and enemas. These may relieve the constipation but do not address the root cause of the problem. With prolonged or regular use, many of these treatments have side effects which may weaken the bowel wall, interfere with normal function and eventually cause the bowel to be even more sluggish. Prolonged use of herbal laxatives may also have similar side effects.


Prevention and Treatment Using Nutritional Medicine

At Exeter Nutritional Clinic, constipation is treated as a serious condition. We offer a detailed, individual programme based on information obtained through a nutritional consultation. A full treatment programme is designed which addresses the specific causes identified, so that your treatment is tailor-made for your particular case.

The nutritional guidelines include a prescription of natural foods for treating constipation, a prescription of nutritional supplements where necessary, lifestyle guidelines and guidelines for bowel retraining if you have been using laxatives.

In addition, you receive support for 4 weeks after starting your programme.

Causes

Although the commonest cause of constipation is a low-fibre diet and failure to drink adequate fluids, there are many other factors that may cause constipation or make it worse. Below is a list of causes:

• Over-refined and processed foods
• Insufficient fluid intake
• Food intolerances, allergies or sensitivities
• Stress and anxiety
• A sedentary lifestyle
• Lack of adequate exercise
• Hormonal imbalances
• Low thyroid function
• Elevated calcium levels
• Pituitary disorders
• Electrolyte imbalances
• Pregnancy
• Weakened bowel wall muscle
• Anaesthetics
• Antacids containing aluminium and calcium salts
• Anti-convulsants
• Anti-depressants
• Anti-psychotic drugs
• Beta-adrenergic blocking agents
• Diuretics and opiates
• Iron salts
• The continued use of laxatives
• Muscle relaxants
• Diabetes
• Kidney disease
• Bowel disease
• Diverticulosis
• The continuous use of enemas and colonic irrigations
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Bowel tumours
• Spinal cord disorders
• Nerve disorders of the bowel
• Structural abnormalities of the bowel
• Abnormality in the structure of the bowel
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome with alternating diarrhoea and constipation
• Disorders affecting the splanchnic nerve such as tumours or traumas
• Spinal cord disorders
• Cerebral disorders such as strokes, Parkinson’s disease
• Multiple sclerosis
• Mineral imbalances

For treatment and prevention with long lasting results, it is recommended that you consult our nutritionist who will help you identify the causes of constipation in your case and prepare you an individual nutritional programme.