Constipation is almost as common as other digestive ailments, such as diarrhea or indigestion. These problems have affected, or will affect, basically everyone. They should not be underestimated; quite the opposite, it is worth taking a closer look at them, because they may be symptoms of more serious diseases.
Constipation is not only very infrequent bowel movements, but also difficulty passing stool due to its overly hard consistency. In addition, patients complaining of it most often mentioned accompanying pain, gas, and a feeling of incomplete evacuation.
Why should this not be underestimated? Because it can lead to the accumulation and retention of hormones, toxins, harmful bacteria, or undigested food residues. Disturbances in the detoxification mechanism are no joke.
What can constipation be a symptom of?
The fact is that they may be a symptom of much more serious and complex problems. Of course, excluding occasional constipation, which can be caused by sudden changes in diet, irregular meals, or even stressful circumstances.
One of the more complex causes is dysfunction of the so-called interstitial cells of Cajal, which leads to significantly reduced intestinal peristalsis. It is thanks to them that food passes through the digestive tract, because they act as links between the ANS (autonomic nervous system) and the muscles of the tract. Cell damage can be caused, for example, by gastrointestinal infections.
It is also worth considering
intestinal dysbiosis. All the more so because even
probiotic therapy, if not selected appropriately for the problem, may worsen symptoms. For example, depending on the case, the Saccharomyces boulardii strain may promote constipation, while, for example, Lactobacillus reuteri may alleviate the problem.
Another issue is an excessive number of immunoreactive neurons responding to nitric oxide. Their role is to relax the intestines, so they do not help peristalsis when they are in excess, since peristalsis then becomes slower. As we know, balance is most important. A shortage of immunoreactive neurons associated with acetylcholine can also cause constipation.
What else? Speaking of acetylcholine... Weakened peristalsis may result from insufficient amounts of it in the intestines, because it is a neurotransmitter that stimulates peristaltic movements.
Contrary to appearances, an improper diet can also be the reason for difficulty with bowel movements. It is worth knowing that it would be a good idea to give up sweets, chocolate, and even cocoa if the problem is temporary and we like to reach for such products. Nevertheless, contrary to appearances, constipation can also be caused by food intolerances. Yes,
diarrhea do not have a monopoly when it comes to
intolerances, as studies confirm. Therefore, it would be a good idea to carry out tests for latent allergies.
Common causes also include a lack of fiber and dehydration / inadequate hydration of the body. Often, water and fiber are the solution to the problem. Another matter is that they complement each other perfectly. Water is the most readily absorbed liquid, which also supplies mineral compounds.
Moreover, it supports the formation of fecal mass, improving stool consistency. Fiber, in turn, before being excreted, absorbs not only water but also products formed as a result of fermentation, allowing them to be efficiently removed from the body. However, one must keep in mind not to overdo it, because too much of this ingredient can also lead to constipation. One must not forget about medications and therapies in the case of certain conditions. Bowel problems, and therefore problems with bowel movements, often affect people after long courses of SSRIs. This is related to an imbalance in the amount / ratio of neurotransmitters.
Incomplete bowel movements, reduced frequency, and straining during elimination often accompany people taking medication for high blood pressure or antidepressants. Frequent use of painkillers can also be part of the cause.
Progesterone can also cause problems, or rather an excess of receptors associated with it. Some women have certainly noticed problems with bowel movements or digestive issues during the menstrual cycle, right? This may be linked precisely to too many progesterone receptors, which limits the activity of acetylcholine, whose task is to stimulate intestinal peristalsis.
Constipation – what not to do and how to diagnose the source of the problem?
The fact is that the simplest solutions most often help, namely giving up products that may cause constipation, which we mentioned earlier, as well as increasing the amount of water and sources of fiber (or additional supplementation with a good preparation). Nevertheless, one should not go from one extreme to the other...
Unfortunately, many people take the shortest path and reach for laxatives. If they help and we are able to go to the toilet without any problems, then everything is fine, right? Not quite. The problem will return, because we are not acting on the source, only masking the symptoms. And an excess of laxatives is not good. It is a road to nowhere. The same applies to enemas that are supposed to help get rid of constipation.
First of all, possible diagnosis, consultation with a specialist, and safe methods. Most often, changing diet and lifestyle helps, sometimes with additional supplementation. Of course, you can read about how to deal with constipation in another article. And what tests are worth paying attention to?
- intestinal microflora test, to determine which bacterial strains will stimulate intestinal function and eliminate the problem,
- determining IgG-dependent and IgA-dependent latent allergies, in order to identify which products exacerbate the symptoms and, as a result, which ones should be eliminated from the diet.
