How to improve stool for constipation and normalize bowel function

Constipation is a consequence of a malfunction of the intestines, as a result of which a person has difficulty in defecating. With constipation, pain during bowel movements, false desires, bowel movements in small portions, hard feces are observed. This problem is well known and very common.

Stool frequency for each person is individual and depends on the characteristics of the body. Normally, the number of bowel movements is 1-2 times a day. The onset of constipation is considered if there are no trips to the toilet for more than three days. Signs of constipation, in addition to the frequency of bowel movements, are:

• feeling of incomplete bowel movement;
• forced strong straining;
• stomach ache;
• decreased appetite;
• belching;
• feeling of fullness in the stomach;
• fatigue, feeling unwell;
• yellowness, flabbiness of the skin;
• fragility of hair, nails.

Causes and types of constipation

Possible causes of the onset of the disease can be determined depending on the type of constipation.

Spastic

Occurs with spasms of intestinal smooth muscles. It is accompanied by acute pain, bloating, stool retention for several days. After a couple of days, you may have a dry, hard stool. Lack of feeling of complete bowel movement. Often occurs in the case of emotional stress, stress, smoking.

Atonic

It is accompanied by painful bowel movements of a large amount of hard feces. As a result, anal fissures are often formed due to mechanical damage during bowel movements. With this diagnosis, they often complain of a feeling of heaviness and fullness of the stomach. The main cause is usually unbalanced, insufficient nutrition, as a rule, an inadequate diet is badly affected. The reason may be the excessive use of enemas and laxatives, which are addictive and impaired intestinal motility. An insufficient amount of fluid also prevents the body from cleansing the intestines on its own.

Neurogenic

With this type of constipation, a person himself suppresses the urge to defecate, as a result of which a chronic violation of the stool occurs. The reasons for restraining the urge can be different - being in an unfamiliar environment, haste, the inability to adjust the rhythm of life to the natural needs of the body. In addition, the suppressed desire can be caused by the fear of going to the toilet due to hemorrhoids, prolapse of the rectum, damage to the anus. It is accompanied by a feeling of distension of the abdomen, dull pain in the intestines, the release of hard feces in small quantities.

Alimentary

Just like atonic constipation, it occurs as a result of improper diet and poor drinking. In this case, the diet is dominated by sweet and flour dishes. An insufficient amount of plant fibers and fiber prevents the body from performing its functions normally. There is a rare bowel movement and hard feces.

Mechanical

Constipation occurs when tumors, enlargement of closely located organs, and problems with the colon prevent the movement of feces. Decreased stool frequency is accompanied by acute painful sensations during bowel movements.

Hypodynamic

Most often it is inherent in pregnant women, the elderly or those who work predominantly while sitting. Since it occurs as a result of low activity.

Proctogenic

Refers to patients suffering from hemorrhoids, anal fissures. Impaired defecation occurs due to retention of feces in the rectum. She is accompanied by a sharp pain in the anus, bleeding, prolapse of hemorrhoids.

Spicy

It occurs due to inflammation inside the intestines, subsequently colitis or infections of the colon. It is caused by sudden stool retention and may be accompanied by intense abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting.

Endocrine

It occurs as a result of thyroid diseases, hormonal disorders, diabetes mellitus. In this case, the patient experiences pain during bowel movements, rare stools, general lethargy, the skin becomes dry and thin. Initially, it is necessary to treat the diseases that caused the disruption of the intestines.

Medication

Certain types of medications can cause constipation. This usually occurs when drugs reduce the amount of fluid in the intestines. These properties are possessed by antidepressants, sleeping pills, antispasmodics, pain relievers. Pathology goes away by itself when you stop taking drugs.

How to normalize bowel function for constipation

To get a chair set up, you first need to identify the cause of constipation and eliminate it. If the ailment appears as a symptom of another disease, for example, in diseases of the endocrine system, contact a specialist for examination and treatment. Taking laxatives will help resolve the issue only for a while. If constipation is chronic, you should immediately consult a specialist.

In case of episodic disorder as a result of physical or psychological stress, set aside time for soothing procedures, breathing exercises. If you can't cope on your own, start taking pills for nerves and stress.

To normalize digestion, it is necessary to establish nutrition. Give preference to light food that does not irritate the intestines. Eat boiled foods, include more vegetables and fruits in the diet. Try to chop up plant foods before consuming them. Do not forget to include vegetable oils in the diet, they will help relieve intestinal spasms. Eliminate cocoa, strong tea, rice porridge, jelly - they have an astringent effect.

Eating bran fiber can help restore well-being. Drink the bran with plenty of water. Observe the diet, avoiding long breaks between meals. Take food 4-5 times a day in small portions at intervals of 2-3 hours.

To improve bowel function, try to observe a water-drinking regime, drinking at least 1.5 liters of water per day. Water, drunk on an empty stomach in small sips, has a laxative effect, washing all internal organs. Do not drink food. You need to drink at least 30 minutes and no later than an hour after eating.

A common cause of constipation is dysbiosis. To restore the microflora, consume fermented milk products more often, you may need to drink probiotics and prebiotics. Eliminate fast food, flour, sweet, smoked and pickled products from your diet - they are harmful to the microflora.

Monitor your bowel movements to restore stool. Don't hold back your natural urges. Try to get a sense of the period of time during which the urge to bowel arises and adjust your schedule to this time.

Normal stool is possible only with an active lifestyle. Go in for sports, swimming, aerobics. If you are sedentary, try to do a small warm-up every 2 hours. A belly massage will be helpful. Gentle kneading in the morning and evening will help improve peristalsis. Avoid taking medications that affect digestion.

Folk remedies for eliminating constipation

All of the above methods are effective for constipation, but the positive result does not come immediately. Folk remedies will help to quickly and safely cleanse the intestines:

• Senna tea is very effective against constipation. The herb leaves contain a laxative substance suitable for adults and children. The collection of senna is sold in pharmacies. It is better to take it before bedtime, the effect occurs 8 hours after ingestion.
• The vegetable oil helps to soften the stool in the intestines. It is necessary to take olive, flaxseed or sunflower oil by mouth one tablespoon on an empty stomach.
• Drinking castor oil before bed will help you empty your bowels. After two tablespoons in the morning, there is an urge to defecate. The remedy is contraindicated for cholelithiasis.
• An enema will help you empty your bowels quickly. Can be set using various decoctions or plain boiled water. It is important to remember that frequent enemas lead to intestinal addiction.

If the use of folk remedies does not solve the main problem, contact a specialist for tests and prescribing a stronger medicine.

Prophylaxis

To achieve the perfect stool and never face the problem of constipation, you need an active lifestyle, normalization of nutrition, drinking and sleep. Also, after constipation, a few simple recommendations help to improve the condition.

1. Eat foods high in fiber. Cabbage, corn, soybeans, lentils, wheat bran, beans, flax seeds will help your intestines work properly.
2. Don't cook in advance. The longer the food was stored, the worse the stool.
3. Drink fresh ginger tea. Ginger contains many useful vitamins, trace elements that have a positive effect on the functioning of the body. It stimulates peristalsis, has an anti-inflammatory effect, and normalizes intestinal motility.
4. Include vegetable oils in your food. It has a beneficial effect on the body, good for digestion.
5. Be alert to your body's reactions to the food you eat. Eliminate foods that cause congestion.
6. Season your meals with spices. Many spices contain a wealth of beneficial properties necessary for the gastrointestinal cycle to work.
7. Don't overload yourself with food. Wait for everything you have eaten before digesting before eating. Soak between meals for at least 2-4 hours. The denser you eat, the longer the break should be.
8. Protect yourself from stress and empty worries. Be positive and the recovery of the body will not keep you waiting!