Constipation:what are the causes?

What is the origin of constipation?

Constipation is caused by various factors. Usually it results in:

• Slowing down the digestion of food in the large intestine;
• A problem of evacuation of stools in the terminal part of the colon or rectum and anus.

There are two types of constipation:

• Occasional constipation;
• Chronic constipation (more than six months).

It is usually related:

• Insufficient hydration ;
• To a low fiber diet;
• The lack of physical activity;
• A change in diet or lifestyle;
• Psychological problems ;
• Under stress
• At the change of environment
• Etc

In pregnant women , the sharp decrease in contractions in the digestive tract slows down intestinal transit and complicates the evacuation of stool. This phenomenon comes from changes in hormonal secretion.

Neuropathy, sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, etc. also promote constipation . Indeed, they disrupt muscle contractions.

What are the medications that cause constipation?

Many drugs interfere with intestinal transit and consequently generate constipation. Regular use of laxatives is also among the sources of constipation, if consumed for a long time.

The main drugs that promote constipation are:

• Analgesics:hydromorphone, tramadol, codeine, morphine, oxycodone, fentanyl, etc.;
• Antidepressants:imipramine antidepressants, IRS, duloxetine;
• Antihypertensives:Enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors), calcium channel blockers, beta-blocker diuretics;
• Antiepileptics:carbamazepine, pregabalin;
• Anti-cancer:gemcitabine, carboplatin docetaxel, exemestane, vincristine;
• Antiplatelet agents:clopidogrel;
• Oral antidiabetics:gliclazide, repaglinide;
• Antiulcer:omeprazole, lanzoprazole, esomeprazole, rabeprazole pantoprazole;
• Bisphosphonates:alendronic acid, zoledronic acid, risedronate;
• Etc

What are the different symptoms of constipation?

Constipation causes great discomfort and usually comes in two forms:

• Stools too hard:evacuation difficulties;
• Less frequent defecation.

The frequency of defecation varies between three per day to three per week.

Bloating and abdominal cramps are also signs of obstruction. These symptoms are the causes of the absorption of water from food residues in the colon. The stools thus become hard and accumulate in the small intestine and the rectum. As a result, defecation becomes more complicated. Changing the diet or taking medication therefore becomes necessary to solve the problem.

Also read:

Constipation:9 foods not to eat (especially)

Grandma's remedy:end constipation!

Constipation:9 essential oils to relieve and revive transit