Constipation: Causes, Prevention and treatment as per Ayurveda

Constipation: Causes, Prevention and treatment as per Ayurveda

The word constipation comes from the Latin constipare meaning “to press, crowd together”, and from 1400 A.D. Latin Constipationem. According to Medilexicon’s medical dictionary, constipation is “A condition in which bowel movements are infrequent or incomplete”. Constipation is also known as costiveness, and irregularity.
Constipation is a condition of the digestive system. The sufferer has hard feces that are difficult to expel. In most cases, this occurs because the colon (Lower part of large intestine where feces formed from undigested remements of food) has absorbed too much of the water from the food that is in the colon. The slower the food moves through your digestive tract, the more water the colon will absorb from food. Consequently, the feces become dry and hard. Defecation (emptying the bowels) can become very painful, and in some serious cases there may be symptoms of bowel obstruction. When the constipation is very severe; when the constipation prevents the passage of feces and gas, it is called obstipation.

Causes to be considered:

• Unsuitable food
• Insufficient fluids intake
• Sedantary lifestyle
• Lack of physical exercise
• Anorectal conditions
• Metabolic disorders
• Drugs and medications
• Obstructive lesions of bowel

What causes constipation? The mechanism: 
Constipation happens when the colon absorbs too much water, or if the muscles in the colon are contracting slowly or poorly so that the stool moves too slowly and loses more water.

Here are the most common causes of constipation:
The sufferer’s diet is lacking in adequate quantities of fiber. It is well known that people whose diets include a good quantity of fiber are significantly less likely to suffer from constipation.
Foods low in fiber are high fat foods, such as cheese, meats, and eggs. If you consume them, make sure you are also eating enough fruits, vegetables, and whole grains – which are rich in fiber.
There are two main types of fiber, soluble and insoluble. Soluble dissolves in water, while insoluble doesn’t. Fiber cannot be digested. However, soluble fiber is transformed as it passes through the digestive tract, where it is fermented by bacteria.
Soluble fiber absorbs water, and becomes gelatinous as it does so. Insoluble fiber passes through the gut without changing its form.

Preventive measures and dietary tips for Constipation:

• Drink plenty of water and other liquids such as fruit and vegetable juices and clear soups.
• Avoid excess tea or coffee
• Get enough physical exercise
• Eat more fiber rich food articles like apples with skin, peaches, oranges, pears, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, papaya, Guava, salad etc.
• Drinking lemon juice mixed with warm water two to three times a day eases constipation.
• Never take a sleep immediately after taking meals instead of it take a small walk
• Don’t forget to take in a glass of hot milk with a teaspoon of clarified butter at bedtime. Or Drink a glass of boiled water with one teaspoon of flax seed.

Ayurvedic treatmcent:
A common Ayurvedic medicine for constipation is Triphala Churna. It is a powder made by grinding three kinds of herbs. A teaspoon of this powder taken with warm water or milk at the time going to bed, is quite beneficial.
For bulk formation, Isabgol husk can be taken with warm water or milk at bedtime.
Other Ayurvedic formulations for constipation are; Panchasakar churna, Erand Bhrista Haritaki Churna, Avipattikar churna, Aarogyavardhini etc. Any of these medicine should be taken after having consultation of a qualified Ayurveda Physician.
If all the causes are ruled out, treatment measures tried and there is little relief or temporary relief, Ayurveda Purificicatory Treatments (Panchakarma therapy) is advised.

Author: Dr. Naveen Chauhan

Consultant Ayurveda Physician and Kshar sutra specialist

SHRI DHANWANTARI CLINIC, GHAZIABAD