Precautions for people with constipation

 

Precautions for people with constipation

1. What is constipation?

Defecation disorders cause the passage of stool in the large intestine or the passage of stool in the rectum is delayed, and the amount of stool is reduced. Dry stools, pain, restlessness, headache, abdominal distension, abdominal pain and other symptoms are manifested by the need to exert force to relieve the stool.
Stool volume is too small, too hard, and difficult to pass.
Difficulty in defecation combined with some special symptoms, such as: long-term hard defecation, rectal swelling, incomplete defecation, or need for maneuver to help defecation.
Less than 2 to 3 bowel movements in 7 days.

2. What may cause constipation?

1) Insufficient intake of fiber and water
2) Sitting for a long time and lack of exercise
3) Changes in the environment
4) Pregnancy
5) Travel and food changes
6) Medications: such as analgesics, antidepressants, analgesics and other psychiatric drugs, blood pressure lowering drugs, diuretics, calcium tablets, and aluminum-containing gastric milk tablets can all cause or worsen constipation.

Constipation may worsen due to the above reasons. Other more serious causes of constipation include large bowel stenosis or tumors, so when constipation persists, it is best to ask a gastroenterologist for further examination.

 

3. Matters needing attention in daily life

1) Eat a balanced diet every day, and eat more water and high-fiber foods, such as: vegetables, fruits, kelp, rough bread, etc., avoid delicate or processed foods.
2) Daily intake of water about 2000c.c. or more is better (except for heart, kidney and other diseases).
3) Drinking proper boiled water, ice milk, water or juice before breakfast every day can promote bowel movements and improve constipation.
4) Develop the habit of defecation on a regular basis. 15-20 minutes after breakfast is the best time to go to the toilet.
5) Appropriate exercises, such as: brisk walking, jogging, skipping rope, riding a bicycle, and adequate exercise every day to strengthen the abdominal muscles and promote bowel movements.
6) Relax at the right time to maintain emotional stability, remove disturbing factors and reduce tension and pressure.
7) When necessary, the doctor will moderately give laxatives to relieve symptoms and help defecation. Except for the doctor’s advice, never take laxatives or use enema by yourself, which may cause habitual constipation.
8) When constipation is combined with anal orifice strain packing, if the enema is not effective, wear gloves, apply lubricant (such as petroleum jelly), and remove it.
9) Constipation with blood in the stool, abdominal pain, abnormal weight loss, constipation of unknown cause over 40 years old, need to go to the clinic for examination, in order to find colorectal tumors early.

～If you have long-term constipation, you should continue to follow up treatment at the clinic～