Constipation” is defined as having too few bowel movements, or having difficulty in defecating, having poor bowel movements, having dry, hard stools, and having a small amount of stool. Technically speaking, constipation is a symptom, not a disease. However, this “symptom” is a problem for thousands of people. One wonders: what are the factors that cause constipation?
Common causes
1, weak constipation: because the large intestinal muscles lose their original sensitivity or tension, resulting in the slow peristaltic movement of feces, so that the accumulation of feces. This type is mostly seen in the elderly and frail, multiple pregnancy, malnutrition, obesity and exercise too little, in addition, also seen in the irregular defecation habits, food texture is too fine, too little fiber and lack of carbohydrates in the diet, fat, water, B vitamins and frequent use of laxatives or enemas and other cases.
2, spasmodic constipation: due to excessive stimulation of intestinal nerve endings, so that the intestinal wall muscles overstressed or spasmodic contraction. Common causes are suffering from gastrointestinal diseases or some kind of nerve disorders, the use of laxatives too much, too long, eating too coarse food, etc.
3, obstructive constipation: caused by mechanical or paralytic intestinal obstruction or incomplete or complete intestinal obstruction due to tumor compression of the intestine. If the stool is excessively congested in the rectum and sigmoid colon, there may be left lower abdominal distension and pressure pain, and there is a feeling of poor desire for stool. Due to the hard stool, it can cause hemorrhoids. If the constipation is prolonged, poor appetite, bitterness, nausea, weakness, mental discomfort, anemia and malnutrition can occur.
Nutritional treatment
Dietary nutritional treatment should be given according to different types and appropriate diet. Develop the habit of regular bowel movement, avoid taking laxatives and enemas frequently, and increase physical activity appropriately.
1. Weak constipation.
(1) High-fiber diet: supply more food containing coarse fiber to stimulate the intestine, promote gastrointestinal peristalsis and increase the ability to defecate, such as coarse grains, fruits with skin, fresh vegetables (such as celery, leek, cabbage, rape, etc.), etc. General constipation patients consume 5 to 10 grams of konjac daily also has a certain effect. But should be based on their gastrointestinal tolerance to determine the amount of dietary fiber intake, from a small amount gradually increase, so as not to cause or aggravate abdominal pain, abdominal distension.
(2) Drink more water: Drink more water and beverages to keep the intestines adequately hydrated, which is conducive to fecal discharge. Drink 1 cup of light salt water, or cow (yogurt) milk, or honey in the morning, for many patients with constipation is a proven method.
(3) supply more B vitamins: can promote the secretion of digestive juices, maintain and promote intestinal peristalsis, especially vitamin B1, because vitamin B1 deficiency can affect the nerve conduction and slow intestinal peristalsis, such as coarse grains, yeast, beans and their products.
(4) eat more gas-producing food: eat more gas-producing food, promote intestinal peristalsis to speed up, conducive to defecation, such as onions, radish, garlic, etc.
(5) increase dietary fat intake: an appropriate increase in high-fat diet can directly laxative, and the products of decomposition of fatty acids have a stimulating effect on intestinal peristalsis. Such as peanuts, sesame, walnuts, etc.; moderate increase in the amount of cooking oil, such as soybean oil, peanut oil, sesame oil, etc., as intestinal lubricants to facilitate laxation; total fat up to 100g per day, but for friends suffering from obesity, hyperlipidemia, coronary heart disease, should be used with caution this method.
(6) Supply laxative food: such as yang powder and its products, silver ear soup, etc.
(7) Diet taboos: prohibit smoking, alcohol, and spicy food, etc., because these foods are not good for laxative.
(8) According to the physical condition, the amount of exercise can be increased to enhance the strength of the abdominal muscles, while improving the regulation of the intestinal tract by the plant nerves. This appears to be more meaningful to elderly patients with constipation.
2, spastic constipation.
(1) No coarse fiber and low residue diet: first eat low residue semi-liquid diet, abstain from vegetables and fruits, and then change to low residue soft food.
(2) appropriate increase in fat: fat laxative, fatty acids increase intestinal peristalsis, conducive to defecation, but should not be too much, should be less than 100g / d is appropriate.
(3) Drink more water: drink water and beverages to keep the water in the intestinal stool to facilitate laxation, such as drinking honey water in the morning.
(4) Eat powdered food: Powdered food absorbs water in the intestine, making the stool soft and slippery, which is beneficial to diarrhea.
(5) prohibit the consumption of stimulating food: prohibit the consumption of wine, strong tea, coffee, chili, curry and other stimulating food.
3, obstructive constipation: if caused by organic lesions, the disease should first be treated to remove the cause, such as rectal cancer, colon cancer, etc.. If it is incomplete obstruction, consider giving clear liquid. The diet is limited to providing partial energy and minimum control of food residues, with extra-gastrointestinal nutrition as the main way to supply energy.