Constipation of the blog was too hard to resolve!! Due to travel it was not possible. We are sorry for the delay!

Understanding constipation is important as it may be difficult to give various combinations and treatments on this platform. It is an individualistic treatment. Again it is a recurring problem. So underfstanding will help more than giving ready made solutions.

Physical activity is vital in the treatment of constipation. In modern life style physical activities are minimised. Sports are limited to certain age and exercising is also not very regular activity in the life. Competition is tremendous even sportsmen also face tough competition. They get constipation despite physical activities. So understanding about constipation is a combination of physical inactivity, mental stress and eating habits; all contribute to the constipation. Problems with central nervous system and bowel obstruction due to some tumor or some other surgical conditions which are rare and those conditions are not topics to be discussed here.

Management of constipation:

Food and food habits:
According to Ayurveda main meals to be taken twice daily. According to the tradition and Indian conditioning we incorporate all pulses cereals, fat and have together. This system is being changed now. This is mandatory as the life pattern is changed in many ways and drastically.
One thing is certain that one must eat when we feel hunger. Unless you have proper feeling for eating or to drink something, one must not  take anything orally. This must be mentioned because we eat according to the time and convenience. This habit of eating invariably disturbs digestion in long run. It may be important that you should not have feeling of hunger during important meeting or you should not be disturbed due to bowel motion, to have your presence in the meeting. But to have this comfort having belly full just before meeting though you are not hungry or moving bowel in morning with the help of strong purgative or with lot of straining is harmful.

If you are having constipation with sticky stools you should see the doctor to treat or rule out amebiasis and other conditions. But measures we are suggesting here may be useful for you. You should plan the treatment by a Friday considering you have a weekend to start with. Here we are doing two groups according to the place where we live. Either there the place is with lot of moisture due to rains, forest or due to coastal area. If moisture is high in the climate there are more chances that one has constipation with soft and most probably with sticky stools.

In such a climate physical activity is more important. Wheat may be a problem in this area not just because of Gluten but wheat itself can make constipation if not digested properly. Brown bread is an alternative but multi-grain or whole wheat bread maybe a better option. In coastal area in India grains like Ragi or Juwar may be the better choices. One must eat with fresh mint leaves, ginger and garlic. Green salad is important in coastal area or in humid climate. Taking small quantities of food and waiting for  hunger is more important. When digestion is complete body naturally discards the waste if we allow time for that. If we eat something then it gets postponed. Taking some water about two hours after lunch can help digestion. Taking water sip by sip along with food can control quantity of the food at the same time helps digestion. Taking large quantities of water with the food can hamper digestion. Quantity and bulk of the fecal matter depends upon the fiber content of the food.

 

Papaya, pomegranate, pineapple apples, pears, guavas may be some of the useful fruits. Black currants are important and may be taken regularly to have smooth bowels. 10 -20 per day must be taken to have its effect. Dried figs are also helpful in constipation. Eating spicy food in morning might prove useful in some people if we do not have hyper acidity or piles and fissure in ano.

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 !!

Reasons for constipation

Constipation is a worldwide complaint and it is experienced in all ages and both the sexes. Market for new laxatives and purgatives is always there. New products are always launched. New formulas are introduced but really speaking, do we help the person or weaken the person? Do we ever give any thought to this question? Addressing to a basic problem like constipation properly is very much necessary. Chronic constipation causes acidity, headache, piles and disturbances in normal routine. Taking laxatives and purgatives weaken the muscles of large intestine and using strong purgatives becomes a habit. Finally nothing works. It is the most difficult condition to treat.

There was patient in the clinic and with complaint of lost taste sensation. Naturally he was investigated for many conditions and all reports were normal. Feeling no taste is one of the effects of chronic constipation. He was treated for constipation and after he was relieved of this long standing complaint. Large intestines have a large capacity to store garbage for a long time. But it is also overloaded sometimes.

As I said in last post it is a lifestyle disorder. One of the commonest cause is we do not respond to the natural call of nature. We try to postpone it to our convenient time. When we suppress the natural urge for evacuation of bowels we neglect it for some reason. Intestinal muscles and sphincter muscles get used to this when it becomes a habit. Then there is beginning of problem. Cleanliness of a toilet, unfamiliar place, travel, attending important meeting, engrossed in some work, etc. can be the commonest reasons to avoid or postponing the evacuation. If it is not a common condition, it streamlines easily. But if it is a habit or a regular feature then one day it becomes a problem.

When we suppress this urge hard, the movements of the large intestine change and they are reversed. Because of that material is pulled inside. Because of the fecal matter remains inside for longer time then the liquid content is reabsorbed more. Then it becomes dry and hard then it becomes an additional problem.

Some drugs reduce secretions in the gut and constipation may be the result. Sometimes you get constipation during fever or immediately after fever. 

Ayurveda clearly instructs that hunger, thirst, sleep, urge for evacuation of bladder and bowels, yawn, vomiting, sneeze, cough and breathlessness after heavy work etc. should never be suppressed.

We will continue the same topic in next post...

Preventive Ayurveda - Constipation

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constipation

We are discussing about constipation in this post which is a common complaint in the society. It has no discrimination of country, age, sex, etc. of any sort. Every body including an infant to elderly can have this condition. 

We are thinking in terms of prevention. treatment of constipation in Ayurveda is a separate entity by itself. It is a beginning of most of the conditions. However indigestion or low digestive power is the main cause behind the condition but generally it goes unnoticed and what we first experience is constipation. It can be of two types; it may be with hard stools or may be with sticky stools. Both conditions are the results of irregularities in digestive power. 

If one has constipation he feels sick. He feels down, does not get good appetite. Lack of enthusiasm is there. When this becomes a habit he may complain abdominal pain, acidity, gas, occasional headache etc..Many a times these complaints are treated individually and underlying constipation remains untreated. Generally prescribing laxative is the treatment given to the person. Ayurveda has different way to handle it. But it is always better to get treated at earliest as many a times old complaint is followed by many other complaints like pain in chest (not related to heart), piles or hemorrhoids or fissure due to habit of straining. Sometimes constipation is a cause for burning urination. In short constipation becomes a base for many complaints. 

This condition is a gift of the lifestyle we have. Very rarely there is a problem with the organs involved. We will not discuss any medication here but we will see if it can be prevented.
To be continued in the next post.... preventive measures and some ways out ....

Prevention of Disease: Obey the bioclock

Ayurveda is not limited to the land of India. It is a science of life. It is for all. Many a times we misuse or overuse our potential and we contract some disease. Disease is a disturbed ease-ness of the body and mind. It is very rare to have reason other than what we discussed in earlier posts. Even infections are due to overuse wrong use of the physical and mental capacity. Some strong infections or accidents can still attack the body but it is not very easy if we are following preventive guidelines.

We are writing mainly on preventive aspects of Ayurveda. In future we will discuss the diseases also. All the discussion will be with respect to prevent the disease. When body is disturbed and disease takes over then it is a need of a treatment to reset the system. It is one to one relationship. Certain home remedies can help us in mild situations which we will discuss whenever possible. 

Let me start with a query posted to me by Mr. Noel. His words are, "As far as I know Honey & Lime with warm water if taken daily in the morning will increase ones immunity in the long run. Some comments please"

In Ayurveda very important principle we follow is 'not to heat honey'. So putting honey in warm water is not acceptable as a principle. Lime water in long run gives immunity. Honey may be added when it is at room temperature. So lime in water at room temperature can be taken with honey.

This particular combination may not suit all in all seasons. It can be taken who finds it suitable. We know lemon contains Vit C. It helps in raising immunity. Honey can help in reducing allergic complaints. So one may be helped by this property. I would like to add some (1 teaspoonful) fresh ginger juice, in the combination with many added benefits.

Important suggestion: Take with 25 to 50 ml of water.

One basic principle why we fall sick is, we do not eat what is suitable for the time. It means that we do not eat as per climate of the day. In Ayurveda we follow certain daily natural routine. Let me explain it in details. In early morning say from 3.30 onward up to 7.30 the time is for evacuation of the waste. If we spend this time in bed we may be missing the important natural phenomenon of elimination. In this period, taking warm water helps some people to evacuate easily. If the elimination does not take place in this period then you may get one more opportunity after breakfast. If one holds this too, it is likely to get constipation with a habit. No laxative can cure this condition. You may change doctors or medicines but constipation will persist. 

Waking up late after 7 in morning may not be very good idea if you want to have your routine to be natural. Then indigestion is followed by this forced constipation. Then your appetite is reduced and you start getting different problems.. The daily routine which starts after 7.30 - 8 are likely to have digestion problem in long run. It will be beginning of disturbing the health.

Reflection is the key to a healthy life

Reflection is the key

The reason we are looking in to are the results of reflection. Though it has reference of the past it is a useful stuff for a better future. If we are not learning from the experiences we deserve misery. It may be physical, mental, social, economical, political also. We are mainly concerned about health. but the health is a reflection of social well being along with being disease-less. Similarly healthy individuals create healthy social platform.
Nowadays we look food ingredients, microorganisms, etc. as reasons for disease. It is not wrong but it is not all.

Guidelines provided by the seers like Charaka, Uddlaka or by Lao Tzu take us to the core of the problem. This thinking can change the life. It changes the the meaning of the life for us. It again reflects in actions influencing others life.

Illness especially when it is a small and comparatively limited, we do have time to reflect or introspect. Where I was wrong, what made me sick and for most of the times we know its true answer and we decide that we will not commit the same mistake again. But as soon as the life is back to normalcy we indulge the same mistakes. If those are the occupational problems or they related to age or personal lifestyle, do we ever think, whether we have prepared ourselves for those problems?

If root of illness is occupation then there are some safety measures to be followed. Do we need some exercises to keep us fit or some tool? There is a story, a true story of a saint Ramdas in Maharastra state. He lived in 16th century. He had his abode in a fort about 5000ft above msl. There was a pond as source of water there. But when it was noticed that the concentration of the minerals in the water caused problem for him, it was matter of concern. His disciple Kalyanaswamy used to go down the mountain and bring water from a river. But Ramdas Swamy knew this. He called him and asked him to take food which was more nutritious and his daily work out raised two folds. Then this routine was set which was uninterrupted. Those two brass pots are there in the museum on Sajjangadh near Satara.

In other words If over or no use of sense or motor organs is a part of your job, our body must be prepared that way. Vijay one of my patients expert and a good artist in artificial jewelry succumbed to tuberculosis  at the age 31. He never exercised or took safety measure suggested in the trade. All sports are excessive use of motor organs. But they take enough time and pains for preparing themselves for the sport. One who do not spare time to prepare themselves they are automatically kept out because of unfitness. All good players in various sports pay enough attention to their workouts, food and routine life.

In this world we can not always learn from our own mistakes. These scriptures are written for a common people to understand the deep meaning of the science. If we decide to learn from our own experience then for a doctor, it will be too costly!!

Time factor - A reason for illness

Time is the vital factor

We are looking in to most fundamental reasons of disease. These are the reasons everyone can understand. Ayuerveda is a science for everyone. It is for common people and for scholars also.  Most of the literature is for prevention of a disease.

Till now we looked in to two fundamental reasons: over, no or wrong use of sense and motor organs and deliberate mistake. One more thing we will discuss briefly in this post is ‘time factor’.

Time factor has some sub-factors:

Age:    Age is related to the existence of the body.  There are many changes taking place in the body which are according to age.

            In early age of life disease are due to weak immune system, weak body and vulnerability for infections. In this age degenerative changes are not seen.

            There are certain conditions seen in young age only.  Similarly there is a condition like puberty. In these years boys and girls face different ups and downs mentally and physically. Acne, anorexia nervosa, etc such conditions are seen in peculiar age only. Obesity, PCOD, are the condition which make impact on life, start in young age only.

            There are many conditions which are related to aging. Menopause may be one of the important conditions which affect life very badly. One may say, it is not a disease but some people do need support of doctors and need really an effective management. There are various other conditions in men and women which are old age related.

Season: Season and climatic changes cause changes in the system. These changes induce or trigger some unrest.

            This is the condition which we see commonly in a routine life. Hey fever, Asthma in certain person is seasonal due to pollens and various allergens. But there are seasonal eruptions of diseases. When there is a change in season some get cough, cold, malaise, acidity and disturbances in appetite. Healthy people come out quickly but some people require treatment from a doctor. So the change in climate is an effective cause of disease.

Daily:  Changes in climate in a day also induce changes and some conditions in the body. There are changes in daily climate which may provoke certain disturbances in the body which may affect weak people. They may get cold in morning, burning in afternoon and dry or productive cough at night or early in morning.

            This is how the time factor affects normal body and mind producing diseases which are seen or experience in a time-frame. 
         It is necessary to know how to prevent sickness. Now we will elaborate on, how to use these factors discussed so far to prevent sickness.