Constipation

Constipation, difficulty in eliminating bowel movements from the body. Constipation is usually accompanied by the passage of hard, dry stools that may result in a tear in the lining of the lower rectum or anus or, more often, in painfully swollen and itchy veins in the lower rectum or anus, known as hemorrhoids. Tenseness and straining to achieve evacuation tend to worsen such conditions. Constipation is sometimes associated with feelings of sluggishness, headache, and distension of the abdomen.

Chronic constipation may be caused by a diet insufficient in roughage or fiber, irregular eating hours, improper use of laxatives, or the voluntary avoidance of bowel movements. Many cases are believed to be caused by emotional disturbances. Constipation can usually be relieved by drinking adequate fluids; eating healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, and cereals; and establishing routine evacuation habits. A high-fiber diet is particularly important for people who are taking medications that tend to harden stools and produce irregular bowel habits.

Some people become stressed or depressed when their bowel habits are irregular. Neglecting dietary measures, they may become addicted to the use of laxatives, suppositories, and enemas. These individuals may eventually lose muscle strength in the bowel wall, making it difficult for them to return to normal bowel habits. They also face the possibility that the digestive system will be unable to absorb all the nutrients in their food supply.

Constipation that develops suddenly in people who have previously had normal bowel function may be a symptom of a serious disorder, such as excessive production of thyroid hormones or kidney failure.

Do's and Dont's

Constipation
Symptoms/Problems	Remedy	Frequency(Doses)
Chronic constipation;much flatus,distention of abdomen	Coca Q	6 hourly,10 drops in lukewarm water
Due to fast, sedentary life; ineffectual urging, passing stools many times a day	Nux vomica 30 or 200	6 hourly
Hard stools; due to dryness and non peristaltic action of the intestinal tract. Desire for dry food	Alumina 0/7 or above	6 hourly
Stools hard; as if burnt, seems too large. No desire to pass stools; thirst increased, drinks large quantity of water at a time at long intervals	Bryonia 30 or 200	6 hourly
Tonic for proper bowel movement	Cascara sag.Q	4 hourly,10 - 15 drops
Feels better normal when constipated; fat, flabby and chilly patient	Calcarea carb.200	4 hourly(3)
Patient can pass stools only in standing position	Causticum 30 or 200	6 hourly
Constipation with sinking feeling in stomach; tongue white, flabby and slimy	Hydrastis can.Q or 6	4 hourly
In chilly patient who lacks vital energy; stools goes back to the rectum when partially expelled	Silicea 12X or 30	4 hourly

Any information given above is not intended to be taken as a replacement for medical advice. Therefore, it is very important that the patients should avoid self-treatment and rather consult the most abled and qualified classical homœopath and take the treatment under his proper guidance and advice.