What Are the Most Common Causes of Constipation?

Constipation is a medical condition wherein a person is unable to pass bowel for at least one week or passes a scanty amount of bowel in less than three times. Many people affected with this condition experience some frustrating and even embarrassing moments that affect their daily living. Yet, many of them have no idea whether they are already experiencing constipation, and this is an alarming truth. They would only realize that they are already experiencing constipation when they have felt the worst of its signs.

Causes of constipation

• Poor nutrition and a sedentary lifestyle with a lack of exercise are the two causes of constipation.

Those who are fond of eating food with low fiber content are at higher risk of being constipated. Fiber-rich food can be found in whole grains, vegetables, and fruits like papaya, mango, and oranges. These varieties of foods are recommended to people who love to eat high fat-containing foods.

Can babies be constipated?

Although babies are not constipated, the transition from breastfeeding to bottle or formula feeding may trigger the baby to develop constipation. Since adding fiber-rich food in infants' diet is not a good measure to relieve constipation, parents are expected to monitor their babies' elimination process. The measures of relieving constipation vary among age brackets; hence, there is a need for individualized care or management.

• Another common cause of constipation is lack of water intake.

Water intake does not only mean drinking eight glasses of water each day; it also means adding juices to our daily drink. However, we must be cautious of what liquids we are taking because some may cause constipation, such as milk-drinks and sodas. Also, people who overuse several medications, including laxatives or purgatives, may soon develop constipation and later on become dependent on these medications.

• There are also a number of medical conditions that may lead to constipation.

A condition called Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), in which episodes of loose and normal stools happen, or recurrent abdominal pain may bring about constipation. This disorder is commonly found in infants aged six months to 3 years. Other colon problems may also lead to constipation, such as Hirschsprung's disease or aganglionic megacolon. Adults who experience immobility or are ailed with back injuries and strokes may experience constipation. Also, diseases like Lupus and Diabetes may lead to this bowel disorder.

What is the best relief or remedy for constipation?

Inclusion of fiber-containing foods in one's diet and a change in lifestyle, doing isometric exercises such as swimming and jogging, can help people in relieving constipation. Many homeopathic remedies for constipation have also been proven to help adults to have proper digestion and bowel elimination. Some of the most common remedy options may include Bryonia, Calcarea Carbonica, Causticum, Graphites, Lycopodium, Natrum Muriaticum, Nux Vomica, Sepia, Silicea (also called Silica) and Sulphur.

Final Notes

Constipation may make a person feel some discomfort and even embarrassment, but by visiting a practitioner of homeopathy in Ormond Beach and with a good diet and proper lifestyle, one can control and even prevent constipation from happening or recurring.

Francine Kanter, CCH, RsHom(NA), is Board Certified by the Council for Homeopathic Certification of North America, and has over 15 years of experience. She is also a member of NASH, North American Society of Homeopaths.