BWhat Is Constipation?bConstipation Is A Very Common Condition Affecting Many People. It Tends To Affect More Women Than Men. It Appears To Be Especially Common In Women Just Before Their Period Or During Pregnancy. It Is Normally Not Very Serious Although Occasionally, Complications Can Occur If The Condition Is Not Treated.bWhat Causes Constipation?bConstipation Can Be Caused By A Number Of Different Factors. A Number Of Which Are Described Below.The Main Cause Is Believed To Be A Lack Of Fluids In The Diet. The Stools Then Become Hard And Small Which The Body Struggles To Expel. A Lack Of Fibre Also Has The Same Effect. What Then Happens, Is That The Stools Which The Body Cant Expel Are Retained Where They Dry Out Even Further And Then Work Their Way Back Up Into The Colon Where They Can Cause A Blockage.Some Drugs E.g. Painkillers And Some Types Of Cough Medicines May Cause Constipation. By Taking Medical Laxatives Which My Relieve The Symptoms In The Short Term May Actually Increase The Problem As The Body Becomes Resistant To Them Over Time.There Are A Number Of Other Causes Which IncludeNot Being ActiveToo Much Calcium Or Too Much Iron In Your DietDrinking Too Much Strong Tea Or Coffee Which Has A Diuretic Effect By Making You Urinate More Often Thus Dehydrating Your BodyBowel Muscles Not Being Strong Enough This Is More Common In Elderly People As Their Muscles In Their Whole Body Become WeakerRecent Abdominal Surgery This May Have The Effect Of Weakening Your Bowel MusclesAnxietyIBS Can Be A Cause Of Constipation. BWhat Are The Symptoms Of Constipation?bThe Symptoms Of Constipation Are As Follows.Stomach Ache And CrampsFeeling BloatedFeeling SickChange In Your Normal Bowel PatternHeadachesFurred TongueLoss Of AppetiteFatigue And DepressionShould You Experience Any Of These Conditions And They Are With You For More Than A Couple Of Days, It Is Important That You See A Doctor. It Is Always Better To Be Safe Than Sorry. Sometimes These Symptoms Could Mean Something Much More Serious.bWhat Is The Treatment For Constipation?bQuite Often, The Best Treatment For Constipation, Is Simply To Increase The Amount Of Fibre In Your Diet. That Includes Lots Of Vegetables And Cereal Products. Most Of Us Dont Eat Enough Of These Things.Also, Increasing The Amount Of Water That We Drink Can Help To Relief The Symptoms Of Constipation. The Vast Majority Of People Dont Drink Enough. By Drinking More, You Can Not Only Relieve The Symptoms Of Constipation, But It Will Improve Your General Health As Well, Making You Feel Better.By Taking More Exercise, You Can Help To Eradicate Constipation. This Can Be Something As Simple As A 30 Minute Brisk Walk 3 4 Times A Week.If You Are Going To Take Laxatives, Then They Should Only Be As A Temporary Measure. If You Find That You Are Having To Take Them For A Long Period Of Time, You Should Probably Go And Visit A Doctor.
