Constipation

Constipation is defined in term as fewer than three stools per week and severe constipation as less than one stool per week, it is a bowel disorder, it is caused by the slow movement of stool through the colon. Colonic inertia and pelvic floor dysfunction causes constipation. More than 95% of people age above 18 have intestine movements between 3-21 times weekly, and this would be considered normal. Constipation is found worldwide, there are many diseases in human body which are caused due to constipation, it is estimated that 75 to 85 diseases are caused as the result of constipation in human body.

Causes of constipation:

1. Slow passive of digesting food.
2. Problem in colon.
3. Colon disorders.
4. Food not chewed well can cause constipation.
5. Narcotic medications also causes constipation.
6. Iron supplements.
7. Increasing in dietry fibre.
8. Laxatives.
9. Hormonal disorders.
10. Pelvic floor dysfunction.
11. Colon inertia.

Diagnosis of constipation:

1. Anal fissure.
2. Medical history.
3. Abdominal x-rays.
4. Blood tests.
5. Barium enema.
6. Physical examinations.
7. Defecography.
8. MRI.

Treatments of constipation:

1. Maximum use of dietry fibre.
2. Using fruits and vegetables.
3. Low dose of food.
4. Use of lubricant laxatives.
5. Emollient laxatives (also known as stool softeners).
6. Hypersmolar laxatives.
7. Use of Colchicine.
8. Exercises.
9. Surgery.