Constipation and Bloating

Almost everyone, from newborn to elderly suffers from constipation and/or bloating at some point or the other. Constipation and bloating are linked to various health problems. It is ideal for a healthy person to experience one to two bowel movements per day or five to seven bowel movements per week. Lack of bowel movement for 2-3 days or for a week is termed as constipation.

In severe constipation, an individual may not experience a bowel movement for many weeks or for a month. Frequent constipation, gas and bloating is a sign of impaired digestive health. Regular removal of waste is vital to a healthy body. Obstruction in the removal of waste can lead to several bowel problems, as a result of dysbiosis - an imbalance between beneficial bacteria and harmful organisms in the intestinal system. Due to constipation, the number of harmful bacteria and intestinal invaders increase. They become overpopulated in the digestive tract. The body reacts by bloating up, developing a sense of fullness in the abdominal region. Sometimes, abdominal pain is also noticed. You can reestablish the balance of beneficial bacteria through probiotics supplementation and active culture yogurt products, which improve the condition of intestinal tract and help reduce the symptoms of constipation and gas.

Causes

• If foods like beans, lentils, raffinose, broccoli, onions, cabbage, chickpeas, potatoes, corn, milk and dairy products etc. are present in excessive quantity in your diet, they can cause intestinal gas, upset stomach and constipation.
• Some medications like sorbitol, diuretics, antacids, iron supplements or medications given before and during operation, are known to aggravate intestinal gas problems, leading to bloating of the abdomen and difficulty in evacuation of the bowels.
• We swallow a small amount of air while eating or drinking but eating rapidly or gulping liquids as well as smoking can lead to larger intake of air, resulting in accumulation of more gas in the stomach.
• Nutrition deficiency and lack of fiber rich food (vegetables and fruits) in diet can cause difficulty in evacuation of the bowels. If you don't consume sufficient amount of liquids and drinking water, then you are likely to suffer from hardened stools, gas, abdominal bloating and pain.
• An individual suffering from structural abnormalities in the rectum, anus or intestinal tract can experience digestion problems.
• The increased levels of progesterone in women during pregnancy affect the process of digestion. Lack of physical activity is also a common reason of dry and hard stools, irregular bowel movements, and gas.
• Constipation in newborns is usually caused by sudden changes in their diet and insufficiency of fluid in the body. Solid food should be gradually introduced to toddlers.
• Celiac disease, food poisoning, overeating, carbonated drinks, lactose intolerance can cause bloating.
• Ignoring the urge to have a bowel movement, allergies, change in regular diet and routine can lead to constipation.

Severe constipation and bloating can lead to serious health complications, such as hemorrhoids, rectal prolapse or anal fissures. Straining to have a bowel movement and passing of hard stool results in such situations.

Remedies

These days, digestive system problems are quite common. Luckily, a few easy lifestyle changes can help relieve these problems.

• Never ignore the urge to have a bowel movement. You should set aside time for undisturbed visits to the toilet.
• You should consult your doctor as early as possible, if you notice a significant or prolonged change in bowel habits.
• Exercising regularly and drinking plenty of fluids, especially water, help get rid of constipation, bloating, gas, etc.
• Increase your intake of fiber-rich foods. You should eat all types of fresh vegetables, fruits, bran, beans and whole grains. Freshly ground flax seeds also help a lot.
• Moderate use of laxatives under the supervision of a doctor helps relieve the discomfort of gas and dry, hardened stools. But, overuse of laxatives can create more health complications.
• Castor oil, honey, sesame seeds, apple cider vinegar, plums, olive oil, asafetida, etc. work great for constipation, bloating.
• Consumption of magnesium citrate tablets provide instant constipation relief.

Constipation and bloating is a symptom some people do not even recognize at first. They recognize it when serious consequences like blood in the stool, bloating that does not go away when constipation is not present, severe pain in the abdomen, fever or vomiting are noticed. Opting for a thorough colon cleanse is beneficial for proper functioning of the digestive system. Regularly exercise, balanced diet, healthy and stress free lifestyle, etc., help maintain correct weight and can also help get relief from the digestive system problems.