What helps with chronic constipation

What helps with chronic constipation

27/12/2014

Especially now on the festive days with the Christmas delicacies many people are struggling with digestive problems. On other occasions, such as traveling, an occasional constipation is not uncommon. But if permanently „Not´s more is possible“, Chronic constipation could be the cause.

Occasional constipation is not uncommon
Sometimes digestion falter and „Not´There's more“. An occasional constipation, such as traveling, is not uncommon. And even during the feasting during the holidays, one or the other is likely to have a digestive disorder. Usually, such problems disappear after a few days and then everything goes back „his gait“. As the „Hessian / Lower Saxon general“ (HNA) reported online in a recent article, so-called chronic constipation could be the reason, when such conditions occur more frequently or become permanent.

Numerous causes of constipation
About ten to 15 percent of adults in Germany are affected, with women twice as likely as men. In addition to the constipation itself, the patients usually have other symptoms such as flatulence, lack of appetite and rapid fatigability. The causes are many. The digestive system can be influenced by factors such as stress-negatives, low-fiber diets, lack of exercise, medicines that affect the nervous system, and diseases such as diabetes mellitus or hyperthyroidism (hypothyroidism). Sometimes simple changes in lifestyle can lead to improvement. Common simple home remedies for constipation include a high-fiber diet, adequate hydration and regular exercise.

Higher fiber intake as a first step
If a doctor has been able to rule out diseases and medicines as causes, the most important preventive measure against constipation and the first step in a treatment is a higher fiber intake. Foods that contain a lot of fiber include wholegrain grain products such as wholemeal bread, cereal flakes, whole-wheat pasta and brown rice, as well as vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts and seeds. For daily intake, the German Society for Nutrition (DGE) specifies at least 30 grams of fiber as a guideline. The fibrous compounds are not only good for stimulating digestion, but are also good satiety and reduce the risk of obesity or obesity, high blood pressure and coronary heart disease (CHD).

Ensure adequate fluid intake
Those who have previously consumed low fiber should gradually increase the intake to improve their digestibility. In addition, care must be taken to ensure adequate hydration. The guideline is around 1.5 liters of fluid a day, ideally distributed evenly throughout the day. The most suitable is water. As the HNA writes, those who are prone to constipation can try to make sure that the intestine is stimulated by carbonated water. But people with a sensitive stomach or a tendency to flatulence and abdominal pain should choose better low-carbon or non-free drinks.

Discourage additional intake of preparations with a doctor
If such lifestyle changes do not work within four weeks, more home remedies may be helpful. For example, fiber supplements in the form of psyllium husk and wheat bran can also be tried out. Psyllium sometimes helps with other health problems such as irritable bowel syndrome. Basically, the intake of such preparations should always be discussed with the doctor, as dietary fiber may be counterproductive in certain diseases of the rectum. Often wheat bran is recommended, which contains mainly insoluble fiber. These can lead to increased gas formation and flatulence. For sensitive people, psyllium husks are often more suitable as a concentrated source of soluble fiber.

Laxative only if nothing works differently
Even if such measures remain ineffective, a more differentiated diagnosis is carried out. Only then are laxatives used, which ensure that the stool becomes more fluid and fuller and so the intestine is stimulated. According to the information, such remedies can also be safely used in the long term, provided that they are used exclusively for the treatment of constipation and that no diarrhea occurs. Here too, the dosage and frequency of use must be discussed with a doctor. Alternatives to this are according to HNA osmotically effective sugars such as lactose and lactulose, as well as sugar alcohols such as sorbitol, which however often cause side effects such as flatulence. If these laxatives also do not sufficiently alleviate the constipation or are poorly tolerated, prescription medicines can be used in the next step. (Ad)