Constipation is prevalent in up to 27% of the population, but only a small percentage of people with constipation seek medical attention. Constipation can affect people of all ages. It is more common in women than in men, and more common in older than in younger and older adults. Because of the high prevalence and complex causes of constipation, patients often experience a lot of distress, and constipation can affect quality of life when it is severe.
Constipation often manifests itself as: less bowel movement and less frequent bowel movements; difficult and laborious bowel movements; poor bowel movements; dry and hard stools and a sense of unclean bowel movements; constipation accompanied by abdominal pain or abdominal discomfort. Some patients also have insomnia, irritability, dreaminess, depression, anxiety and other mental and psychological disorders.
Because constipation is a more common symptom, symptoms vary in severity, most people often do not pay special attention to, think constipation is not a disease, do not need treatment, but in fact, constipation is very harmful. The “alarm” signs of constipation include blood in stool, anemia, weight loss, fever, black stool, abdominal pain, and family history of tumor. If alarm signs appear, you should immediately go to the hospital for further examination.
I. Causes of drug-induced constipation
The causes of drug-induced constipation are mainly the following: inhibition of intestinal peristalsis, so that the stool stays in the intestine for too long; inhibition of intestinal mucus secretion; inhibition of the intestinal nerve and defecation center, inhibition of the defecation reflex; intestinal substances that cannot be absorbed react with the drug to produce insoluble solids, forming hard stools.
Second, the drugs that tend to cause constipation.
1, antacids such as gastropin, sodium bicarbonate tablets, aluminum hydroxide, etc.
2, gastric mucosa protective agents such as colloidal bismuth, aluminum thioglycollate, etc.
3, receptor blocking agents such as metformin, ranitidine, famotidine, omeprazole, etc.
4.Anti-cholinergic agents such as atropine, probenecid, belladonna tablets, etc.
5.Anti-allergic drugs such as Benadryl, chlorpropamide, perchlorcyclizine, etc.
6.Statin lipid-lowering drugs such as simvastatin, lovastatin, etc.
7, antihypertensive drugs such as nifedipine, verapamil, colistin, etc.
8, anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs such as ibuprofen, naproxen, carprofen, anti-inflammatory pain, epoxylorphan sodium, etc.
9, opioids such as codeine, compound licorice tablets, etc.
10, psychotropic drugs such as chlorpromazine, fenadine, fluphenazine, Valium, Scholastin, Jaladine, etc.
Third, the diseases caused by constipation.
1, gallstones: normal people excrete a considerable amount of cholesterol from the stool every day, while constipated people are blocked in the excretion of cholesterol, which is easily deposited in the gallbladder to form gallstones.
2.Bowel cancer: Most bowel cancer patients have a long history of constipation before the onset of the disease. The incidence of bowel cancer is double that of normal people who are constipated and have a taste for meat.
Breast cancer: The incidence of breast cancer is five times higher in those who have less than two bowel movements per week than those who have daily bowel movements. The incidence of breast cancer increases significantly in obese women who are also constipated.
4, hypertension: constipation prevents the excretion of cholesterol, the cholesterol content in the blood rises, the blood vessels are vulnerable to cholesterol attack and sclerosis, the diameter of the hardened blood vessels becomes thin, and the peripheral resistance increases, leading to hypertension.
5, hemorrhoids: the number of people with hemorrhoids suffering from constipation, constipation in the defecation to hold the breath, long days and time around the anus increased vascular pressure, poor perianal blood circulation, prone to varicose veins, causing hemorrhoids and hemorrhoids bleeding.
6, acne: clinical findings of acne with constipation accounted for the majority of people. This is because constipated people absorb too much of the harmful substances in the stool and are prone to acne. And female patients are very easy to grow spots.
Four, the treatment of constipation
1, avoid eating too little or too fine food, lack of residue, and reduced stimulation of colon movement.
2, to avoid disturbance of bowel habits: due to mental factors, changes in lifestyle patterns, long trips over fatigue and other failure to defecate in a timely manner, easy to cause constipation.
3, avoid the abuse of laxatives: the abuse of laxatives will make the intestinal sensitivity is weakened, the formation of dependence on certain laxatives, resulting in constipation.
4, reasonable arrangement of life and work, to achieve a combination of work and rest. Appropriate physical and cultural activities, especially the exercise of the abdominal muscle is conducive to the improvement of gastrointestinal function, more important for sedentary and less active and highly concentrated brain workers.
5, to develop good bowel habits, regular daily defecation, forming a conditioned reflex, to establish a good bowel pattern. Do not ignore when you have the intention to defecate, defecate in a timely manner. The environment and posture of defecation should be as convenient as possible, so as not to inhibit the desire to defecate and destroy the defecation habit.
6. Patients are advised to drink at least 6 glasses of 250 ml of water daily, perform moderate exercise and develop the habit of regular bowel movements (2 times a day for 15 minutes each time). The action potential activity of the colon is enhanced after waking up and after meals, which pushes the stool toward the distal end of the colon, so morning and after meals are the easiest time to defecate.
7, timely treatment of anal fissures, perianal infections, uterine adnexitis and other diseases, laxatives should be applied with caution, do not use strong stimulation methods such as bowel cleansing.