Healthcare

Have you ever heart the suggestion that by drinking lots of water can overcome constipation?

The principle of this method is very easy due to lack of fluid in the digestive tract make feces become harder and more dense.

However, research shows little or even no correlation between those relationship.

According to Robert D. Lindenman. a researcher of University of New Mexico, Albuqureque, Mexico, fluid intake is not correlated with the occurrence of chronic constipation.
The study involved more than 900 elderly volunteers.

Another fact that constipation can not be overcome simply by adding a variety of fluid intake also found by other studies.

One of them also expressed by Stefan A. Muller, a professor of Humblotd University, Berlin, about various myths and misconceptions against constipation and reported in the American Journal of Gastroenterlogy on 2005.

He said that scientific data to prove the consistency of waste can not be manipulated by increasing fluid intake. Also concluded there was no scientific evidence that increasing fluid intake may overcome the problem of constipation problems.

Here are some tips to overcome constipation.

In any case, make sure your body is not in a state of dehydration, For that, you have to recognize the state of the body during dehydration.

Dehydration is the reduced frequency of urination and urine color is darker than usual.

When you body has already experienced with dehydration or signs of dehydration, easy thing to do is immediately add enough liquids as much as you can.

After you felt that your condition not dehydrated, don’t try to impose excessive drinking again because can also resulting discomfort in your stomach or increase the pain in your abdominal area. This way considered as ineffective or inefficiency in overcoming the constipation.

Increase your intake of foods rich in fiber. This food is beneficial to soften the feces and keep its consistency for remain supple, such as vegetables, legumes, and cereals that are high in fiber.

The body also required more moves because the activity increases blood flow, making the colon work more effectively.

You can also use laxative based on cause of constipation.

- Laxative Stimulant.
This treatment will stimulates the urge to defecate.
You can found it in Aloe vera oil, Castor oil, or Senna oil.
However, you must be careful with potential adverse effects of diarrhea that can make you dehydrated.

- Laxatives of Saline and Hyperosmolar.
The compounds of laxative hyperosmolar will draw water from the lumen of intestine to the colon, so that consistent stools become softer. And due to water appeal, bowel movement become more effective.
You can use it with lactulose, sorbitol, and polyethylene glycol.

The adverse effect that should be cautioned are abdominal bloating and flatulence.
You may try by reducing the dose when the adverse effects occur.

For saline laxative, the works almost similar with laxative hyperosmolar. The adverse effects that should be cautioned include diarrhea, hard to expel in individual with weak kidneys due to formation of their kidney stones for long-term use. This Laxative ‘ions’ can get from phosphate and citrate (found in combination of sodium phosphate and magnesium hydroxide)

- Mass-forming Laxative that works similar with saline laxative, except it works in the colon. For examples, Gelatin.

- Laxative Emolient, a treatment that softens the stool without stimulating bowel movements.

Overall however, don’t use laxative excessively.

When the cause of constipation due to bad habits, then you should solve it by yourself, such as a habit to hold the urge to defecate.

Avoid excessive use of ulcer medications that contain aluminum or calcium, anti-depressant medication that contain anticholinergics, and pain medication (analgesics).
Consult to your physician whether you have a disease of gastrointestinal tract or systemic diseases. Then treat it.
Systemic diseases include diabetes mellitus, multiple sclerosis, hypothyroidism, etc.

Avoid stress.
Stress is most often cause constipation.
Stress can influence the muscle work as whole and reduce the movement of the bowel, including emotional stress that often come out suddenly.

Exercise.
Exercise is not only keep your body always fit, but also make the bowels easily to move.

If you are considering to use natural colon cleansing products, then you may see this page for more detail.