Understanding Constipation-3

Constipation may be caused by various reasons. There may be improper development of nerves in the intestines, there  can be hypothyroidism and so many uncommon conditions in children also. We are not considering such conditions over here.

When natural urge to evacuate is neglected then one can evacuate after you finish what you are doing. It must be consciously done. But if you do not do it then muscles get message, 'this is not a right way and time' and they stop giving alert! 

There is another common deliberate mistake (For knowing this term see the previous posts no 5) is eating again and again. If one keeps munching every now and then the indigestion becomes a cause for constipation. Even if you have received an alert  from your neuro-muscular system and you decide to evacuate after taking food. it is quite likely that the alarm stops. When there is an indigestion it is likely that the stools are not hard but sticky. This condition must be treated correctly. 

It is a common myth that water relieves the constipation. If it is taken in right quantity it will help otherwise it can spoil the system. Sometimes taking lot of water creates new disorders in the system. Anything that goes in and travels gastro-intestinal route, undergoes the digestive process. Taking banana, taking warm milk and ghee at bed time are also means to manage constipation. These measures may work for certain people in certain physical conditions. That is why Ayurveda treats the condition at individual level. Having apple is cause for constipation, is also a myth. Coffee or tea can make bowels constipated. Not only that these have capacity to hold back the toxins in the body. But Some have another effect on the bowels. Many of people get motions after taking tea in the morning. Here some other mechanism in the body that works i.e. gastro-colic reflex. Some get this action triggered by smoking. Because these stimulation stomach is exited and it gives some push to the large intestine. So the large intestine is set in action immediately. For such people even hot water also  should work but they are habituated to caffeine or nicotine so they need those drugs to help to evacuate bowels.

Eating stale food, stuff containing white flour, cheese, paneer, regularly and other fats in large quantity can slowdown bowel motions. It is mandatory that quantity has to be controlled properly.  Freshly prepared food taken when you are hungry then it will help the bowels to get organised. After proper digestion of food there has to be natural evacuation. Previously taking proper food twice spaced correctly was the way of eating. But it changed as per our modern routine.That used to be adjusted according to season and daily routine, was the proper way to eat. But now it is observed that some get acidity with this way. If one can tolerate this the problem can automatically be solved. But again this may not work for all. However it is logical that if one has food say around 10-12 in morning and by 7 to 8.30 in evening will help bowels.

Now we will discuss the management of constipation. But the effect will not be lifelong. One has to make essential correction according to the routine, season, etc. The figure above can be a guideline but we will discuss it in details in the next post!

Till then we can enjoy and relish our taste buds with festival special food. Happy Deepawali !!