Causes of constipation in women and treatment methods, why constipation occurs after 50 years

Perhaps the most common cause of constipation in women is in the wrong diet. Pregnancy and childbirth, attempts to lose weight, frequent lack of time for a full meal, overeating on holidays - all this leads to disruptions in the work of the gastrointestinal tract. In addition to gastronomic prerequisites, there are many others that can themselves, or in combination with other causes, cause constipation.

Many problems with stools are perceived as a normal bowel condition that does not require treatment. Such a belief greatly complicates the lives of many women, especially the elderly. They do not go for medical help, but try to find a solution for their "delicate" problem on their own. What are the main causes of stool disorders in women? How to get rid of constipation? In this article we will try to answer these questions.

Reasons for constipation in women

Why do women have constipation? The prerequisites for the development of such a disruption of the functioning of the intestine are great, and one definite reason can not be singled out. Often the cause of constipation, especially chronic, in women is the combination of several negative factors on the digestive tract.

In most cases, the problem develops due to eating disorders in combination with other prerequisites. Let us consider in more detail what causes can lead to the appearance of constipation in the female body.

Dysfunction

Women are mostly concerned with appearance and figure. They are able to exhaust their body with all sorts of diets and hunger strikes, which leads to dysfunction of the gastrointestinal tract.

The lead to constipation can:

• an abundance of protein food;
• insufficient intake of coarse plant fiber and fiber;
• consumption in a small number of fresh fruits and vegetables;
• rejection of sour-milk products;
• excessive consumption of sweets and baked goods;
• a small amount of water being drunk.

For experiments with nutrition, the intestine will not say to you: "Thanks."Particularly negatively affected by the periods of hunger strikes, followed by festive feasts, which are attended by a large number of varied food, not always useful, this leads to frequent and chronic constipation.

Sedative way of life

In cities the network of public transport is widely developed, many have a personal car, in many-storeyed houses there are elevators. All these achievements of civilization led to the fact that modern man has reduced the level of physical activity. Most women work in offices where they spend most of the day sitting at a computer.

Hypodinamy negatively affects the work of the digestive tract. Absence of active movements leads to the fact that peristaltic contractions of the intestine slow down, and this is one of the causes of constipation in women.

Lack of water

With a small intake of water from outside, the body to maintain normal life takes the fluid from various organs, including the intestine. In the lumen of the large intestine dense stools accumulate, and most of the water by adsorption through the walls goes away.

Experts have found that to maintain a balance of fluid in tissues a person should drink about 2 liters of clean water a day.

For more accurate calculation, you can use the formula:( weight * 0,03) +( physical activity time in hours * 0,4) = daily water norm for women.

It is important to understand that the concept of "water" does not include:

• strong coffee;
• tea;
• fizzy drinks;
• packaged juices.

Endocrine diseases

Hormonal discolorations and pathologies of the endocrine system are a serious stress for the body, including for the digestive tract. For this reason, chronic constipation often develops, for the elimination of which it is required to consult a doctor, so that he can choose the appropriate treatment regimen for .

Particularly severe problems with stools occur in diabetes mellitus and disorders in the thyroid gland. This is because the body of a sick person has a propensity to lose fluid, and taking certain drugs can aggravate the situation.

laxative abuse

Some women characteristic even at low severity abdominal taking medications that have laxative effects. When trying to release the intestines from the stool by force, there are various unpleasant consequences, because of which then defecation without medicamental help becomes difficult.

uncontrolled use of laxatives may cause complications following :

1. Dies natural microflora of the digestive tract.
2. Develops atony of the intestine.
3. Appearance of peristalsis lethargy.
4. There is a risk of dehydration due to increased water removal, especially when taking magnesia and preparations based on Senna.
5. The inability to go to the toilet "big" causes women to increase the dose of the drug, thereby forming a vicious circle.

Neurological disorders

Certain diseases of the nervous system, as well as violation of innervation of the abdominal cavity leads to the fact that the neurons of a nerve impulse does not arrive to the smooth muscle fibers of the intestinal wall, so there is a violation of peristalsis. This can occur with Parkinson's disease or after a stroke.

Diseases of the digestive tract

Various pathological conditions of the gastrointestinal tract and their consequences can adversely affect the health.

The likelihood of constipation increases in the diagnosis of diseases such as:

• duodenal ulcer and stomach;
• ulcerative colitis;
• hemorrhoids and proctitis;
• pancreatitis;
• dysbacteriosis.

Pregnancy and recovery

While carrying a child in a woman's body is undergoing serious changes caused by hormonal changes, and at a later date - the increasing weight of the fetus and the growing uterus. All this provokes problems with bowel evacuation. For more information about constipation during pregnancy →

in the postpartum period in the development of defecation disorders cite the following reasons :

• abrupt change in the position of the intestine in the abdomen;
• hormonal changes in the background;
• weakness of perineum and abdominal wall muscles;
• fear of defecation after episiotomy;
• irrational nutrition in a nursing woman;
• stress.

Reasons for constipation in elderly women

After 50 years, most women enter the menopause period. Hormonal rearrangements in the body can be difficult to tolerate, causing various malfunctions and irregularities in the work of internal organs.

Ovarian fading leads to a decrease in the production of the hormone estrogen, which is responsible for youth and metabolic processes in the female body. The fall in the level of sex hormones leads to a reduced release of serotonin, the lack of which causes a slowing of peristaltic contractions.

In addition to menopause, there are other causes of constipation in women after 50 years of :

• Reduced activity of the digestive tract. In the elderly, the peristalsis slows down, the amount of beneficial intestinal microflora decreases, so it does not cope fully with the processing of food, especially if it comes in large quantities.
• Regular medication. Unfortunately, after reaching 50 years, not every woman can boast of strong health and lack of problems. And the older it becomes, the more diseases become chronic and require constant drug correction. The side effect of some drugs, especially when used systematically, is the development of constipation and the emergence of difficulties with defecation.
• Falling of muscle tone. With age, physical activity decreases, especially such a cause of constipation in older women is relevant for those who spend most of their time at home and do not lead an active lifestyle. The fall in the tone of the muscular structure of the pelvic floor, as well as the anterior abdominal wall, leads to problems with a chronic chair.

Do not think that the elderly can not get rid of constipation, and this symptom is their constant companion. A competent doctor after the examination will prescribe treatment and give recommendations to , aimed at correcting the work of the digestive tract.

Treatment methods

Based on the many causes of constipation in women, the methods of their treatment will differ. Someone needs to establish proper nutrition so that the problem is resolved, while others need a well-designed scheme of drug therapy.

In most situations, an integrated approach to treatment is required:

1. First of all, it is necessary to revise the diet and abandon those dishes that contribute to the development of constipation. This applies to smoked products, fast food, roasted fatty meat, sweets, baked pastry. It is also better to give up carbonated drinks and coffee. Enrich your menu with fresh products: vegetables, fruits, sour-milk products, low-fat meat, cereals, except rice, and fiber.
2. Perform daily simple exercises. Choose 3-4 simple exercises and do them in the morning. For example, it can be alternately pressing the knees to the stomach, bending and tilting in different directions, squats, as well as various twists of the body. Even a half-hour walk will benefit and cheer the body.
3. Drink plenty of clean water. This will not only get rid of problems with constipation, but will also trigger metabolic processes in the body, which will positively affect your health.
4. If you feel heaviness in your stomach, you can perform self-massage. To do this, lie on a flat surface and relax. With one hand, make smooth circular movements around the navel, gradually increasing slightly the force of pressing.
5. It is better to take medicinal preparations only after consulting with a doctor, as among all the variety of drugs presented in pharmacies it is rather difficult to choose exactly what will help in your case. Some drugs have a strong effect and at the same time have a large list of negative consequences if they are not properly treated without observing the dosage and frequency of use.

Why do women suffer from constipation? A large number of different kinds of reasons lead to this unpleasant problem. With frequent violations of defecation, a medical examination and comprehensive treatment of such a disease is required.

Author: Violeta Kudryavtseva, MD,
specifically for Moizhivot.ru

Useful video on the causes and treatment of constipation