What is Constipation?

Constipation is defined as the stomach disorder where the bowel movements are disturbed and there is hard, dry and infrequent elimination of stool.



The movement of food through the digestive system takes longer than normal and the person may feel bloated, uncomfortable and sluggish. Even after the bowel movement there is a feeling of fullness in the rectum.



When a person is constipated the contents of the large intestine are discharged with difficulty and at long intervals. Constipation causes tremendous pain in the abdomen and the process of defecation becomes very difficult.



Though constipation symptoms vary from one person to the other.

When the bowel movement becomes fewer than three times per week, constipation develops. Normal stool elimination may be three times per week or it may even be three times per day depending on the individual.



It is a symptom and not a disease in itself and a poor diet is often the cause. Almost everyone experiences constipation at some point in their lives and generally it is not of a serious nature.



Lack of water may be an important constipation cause and with sufficient dietary fiber and fluid intake it is cured in a few days. Sometimes constipation leads to such complications as hemorrhoids (caused by straining to eliminate stool) or anal fissures (skin tearing around the anus).



Due to this, bleeding may occur or a small amount of intestinal lining may push out of the anus. In children and older people, the hard stool is packed so tightly that the normal pushing action of the colon is unable to expel stool.

For constipation cure, the physician needs to know the medical history of the patient and perform a physical examination on them. Although constipation does not generate any severe mood swings but it renders the patient prickly and irritable. Regular exercising, consuming lots of fluids and fiber and maintaining a healthy diet prevents constipation. A person suffering from acute constipation needs immediate medication while a person who has chronic constipation may cure it through improved diet and yoga exercises.