Poor lifestyle, insufficient fiber in the diet, less intake of fluids, excessive intake of junk foods, & certain medications lead to constipation. If your bowel movement is less than three times per week this means you are constipated. Patients with constipation have dry, hard, small in size stool that is difficult to pass. Severe constipation causes abdominal discomfort, gastritis, failure to pass stool, & bowel obstruction that can create a life-threatening situation. Colon cancer or mechanical obstruction can be a reason for constipation.
Constipation is commonly seen in elderly people due to decreased mobility, change in diet, intestinal motility, & certain medications. This disease is more commonly seen in women than in men. Constipation is a common gastrointestinal disorder faced by everyone during their lifetime. Infants on formula milk or food have constipation very common.
What are the Causes of Constipation?
When the large intestine absorbs too much water from the stool it results in passing hard & dry stools that results in constipation. This may be due to inadequate contraction of bowel walls that expel out the waste product in the form of stools. Other reasons are insufficient liquid intake, a diet with excessive fats, lack of exercises, anxiety, stress, holding the urge to defecates, food sensitivities, liver problems, IBS, thyroid inactivity, stroke, rectal cancer, anal fissure, hypothyroidism, intake of certain medications like antacids, iron pills, pain killers, diuretics, etc.
What are the Signs & Symptoms of Constipation?
The signs & symptoms associated with constipation are:
- Abdominal pain
- Hyperacidity
- Bloating
- Passing hard stools
- Headache
- Feeling incomplete bowel evacuation
- With bowel movements straining is seen
- Anorexia
- Indigestion
- Flatulence
- Difficult defecation
Who are at the Risk Factors of Constipation?
Constipation is most commonly seen in people of older age, female, lack of exercise, lack of fluid intake, infants.
What are the complications of Constipation?
People with chronic constipation can lead to complications like hemorrhoids, hernia, anal fissures, fistula, bowel obstruction, rectal prolapse, spastic colitis, etc.
How can Constipation be managed at home?
For managing constipation at home you should follow a few home remedies and instructions that are given below:
- Consume a high fiber diet that is light to digest.
- Early in the morning when you wake up drink a glass of warm water.
- Do practice yoga poses such as vajraasana, pavanmuktasana, sarvangasana, mandukasana, vakraana, katichakrasana, etc.
- Nadishodhana, Shankha Prakshalana, Yogmudra, Anuloma-Viloma Pranayam, & other breathing techniques also provide relief from Constipation.
- Drink plenty of water, including juices, soups, & herbal teas in your diet.
- Include green leafy vegetables, fruits, & whole grains in the diet.
- Avoid heavy meals, irregular food habits, oil, spicy food items.
- Avoid excessive drinking of coffee, tea, alcohol, etc.
- Quit smoking.
- Avoid suppression of natural urge like defecation.
What is the treatment of Constipation in Ayurveda?
In Ayurveda, Constipation is known as “vibandh” the imbalanced Vata dosha causes dryness of stool in the intestines. So for treating this there are few Panchakarma procedures &Ayurvedic medicines that will give good & effective results mentioned below:
1. Sanshodhana Treatment:
Before Panchakarma procedures, bio-cleansing & palliative therapies are done. Firstly internal oleation (snehapana) with 50ml ghrita & 2 to 3gm saindhava lavana added in it. This is done for 3 to 7 days. On 7th day sarvanga sveda is done after that therapeutic purgation (virechana) with herbs such as aragvadha, haritaki, kutaki, eranda, etc are done. After virechana procedure two types of vasti are recommended anuvasana vasti with dashmula taila & niruha vasti with dashmula kwatha, pippaliyadi taila, etc. are given to patient through anal area for 8 days. At last as per the condition of patient phalavarti (medicated suppositories) are given if constipation is too severe.
2. Sanshaman Treatment:
In this treatment various Ayurvedic medicines are given to the patients that are mentioned below:
- Panchsakar Churna: 1 to 2 teaspoonfuls at bedtime with lukewarm water.
- Avipatii Churna: 1 to 2 teaspoonfuls early in the morning on an empty stomach.
- Eranda Taila: 10 to 20ml with hot milk at bedtime.
- Triphala Churna: 1 to 2 teaspoonfuls with lukewarm water once or twice.
- Hingvashtak Churna: 1 to 2 teaspoonfuls once or twice daily with lukewarm water.
- Hingvadi Vati: 1 to 2 tablets once or twice daily with lukewarm water.
- Chitrakiadi Vati: 1 to 2 tablets once or twice daily with lukewarm water.
- Swadisht Virechan Churna: 1 to 2 teaspoonfuls once or twice daily with lukewarm water.
- Agnitundi Vati: 1 to 2 tablets once or twice daily with lukewarm water.
- Lahsunadi Vati: 1 to 2 tablets once or twice daily with lukewarm water.
Note: The medications mentioned above any combination can be prescribed by an ayurvedic physician. So always use them after proper consultation with your physician.
What aromatherapy is done in Constipation?
In Aromatherapy, there are some essential oils that will deal with constipation naturally. So let’s discuss these essential oils uses in detail:
- Peppermint oil: This Peppermint oil performs a cooling effect & helps to ease bowel movement. It will give relief from inflammation & pain related to constipation.
The Direction of usage: In a glass of warm water put 2 to 3 drops of peppermint oil. Drink this water early in the morning on an empty stomach.
- Fennel oil: This Fennel oil provides a cooling effect &treats stomach issues naturally. It treats indigestion, bloating, stomachache, etc. related to constipation.
The Direction of usage: Take 2 to 3 drops of fennel oil with another oil massage your abdomen slowly with this oil.
- Ginger oil: Ginger oil keeps good digestion & removes excess gas. It helps to promote easy bowel movements & provide relief from constipation.
The Direction of usage: Take two drops of ginger oil & gently massage the abdomen for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Turmeric oil: Turmeric oil acts as an excellent antioxidant that is good for the digestive system. It naturally improves digestion & deal with symptoms related to constipation.
The Direction of usage: Use a few drops of turmeric in daily routine.
How Naturopathy is Beneficial in Constipation?
In Naturopathy, there are not any special treatments. Only dietary changes will help to provide relief from constipation.
- Include green leafy vegetables like kale, spinach, coriander, fenugreek leaves, etc. in the diet.
- Raisins are high in fiber content that gives a laxative effect & relieve constipation naturally.
- In a cup of hot water add a teaspoonful of psyllium husk. Drink this mixture for getting relief from constipation.
- Flaxseeds are high in fiber content so include them in the diet.
- Castor oil helps in constipation so take 20ml in a glass of hot milk at night time.
- Lukewarm water enema is also beneficial in constipation.
- Castor oil enema will help to get rid of constipation.
References:
- Ayurvedic management of select geriatric disease conditions
- Central Council for Research in Ayurveda & Siddha
- Department of Ayush – Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India
- Kaya Chikitsa Part II Prof. Ajay Kumar Sharma
