CONSTIPATION

Constipation is a condition that is characterized byinfrequent bowel movements that are painful or difficult, or stools that are hard in consistency.

Infrequent bowel movements alone are not a reliable indicator of constipation because bowel frequency can vary between three times a day to once a week among normal individuals. Therefore, hard stools that are difficult to pass or infrequent stools accompanied by Abdominal pain, Backpain, Abdominal bloating define important constipation.

There are many causes of constipation including :

• Diets low in fiber . Fiber is vegetable material that is resistant to digestion. It promotes soft stools by adding bulkto the stool and causing water to be retained in stool.
• Side effects of medications such as narcotic pain killers, antidepressants, iron supplements, calcium channel blockers ( a class of medications for high blood pressure ), and certain types of antacids.
• Narrowing or blockage of the large intestine ( colon ) due to colon cancer or advanced diverticulosis .
• Ineffective contraction or spasm of the colon's muscles due to irritable bowel syndrome or other diseases of the colon's muscles.
• Hormonal ( endocrine ) disturbances such as an under activethyroid gland and diabetes mellitus with nerve damage.
• Parkinson΄s disease, multiple sclerosis, and other neurologic conditions.

Examples of common medications that can cause constipation :

Narcotic pain medications :

• Codeine ( Tylenol )
• Oxycodone ( Percocet )
• Guaifenesin / hydromorphone ( Dilaudid ) and others

Antidepressants :

• Amitriptyline ( Elavil )
• Fluoxetine ( Prozac )
• Imipramine ( Tofranil )
• Iron supplements

Iron supplements

1. Anticonvulsants :

• Phenytoin ( Dilantin )
• Carbamazepine ( Tegretol )

2. Calcium channel blockers, for example :

• Diltiazem ( Cardizem )
• Nifedipine ( Procardia )

3. Antacids, for example :

• Aluminum hydroxide ( Amphojel )
• Aluminum carbonate ( Basaljel )

Posted in: constipation,health