Diet & lifestyle for constipation

1. constipation
Presented by
Prabhavathy . N

2. INTRODUCTION
Constipation is a common disturbance of the digestive
tract .In this condition , the bowels do not move regularly .
Constipation is the chief cause of many diseases .
Because such a condition produces toxins which find their
way into the blood stream & are carried to all parts of the
body .
This results in weakening of the vital organs & lowering of
the resistance of the entire system like Appendicitis,
arthritis , high blood pressure , cataract & cancer.

3. The number of motions required for normal health
varies from person to person .
Most people have one motion a day , some have two
a day , while others have one every other day .
Definition of the constipation tend to be highly
subjective but usually include hard stools , straining
with defecation & infrequent bowel movements .
Normal stool weight is about 100 to 200g daily .

5. TYPES OF CONSTIPATION
ATONIC CONSTIPATION
SPASTIC CONSTIPATION
OBSTRUCTIVE CONSTIPATION

6. Atonic constipation
Atonic constipation is most commonly due to ; lack of
fluids ,lack of roughage , vitamin B deficiency ,lack of
potassium , Irregular habit , purgation or enema .
Lack of fluids
If adequate amount of fluids is not taken , water from
the colon is more completely absorbed .
This leaves a small quantity of hard dry feces .

7. Lack of roughage
Faulty food habits which include irregular hours of
meals , taking inadequate bulk , fasting or avoiding
foods containing unabsorbable cellulose in the form
of vegetables .
This leaves little residue for evacuation .
Vitamin B deficiency
 Deficient intake of vitamin B also produces loss of
tone of the bowel wall .

8. Lack of potassium
Deficient intake of potassium or excessive loss , as
occurs with purgatives , may result in loss of bowel
tone .
Irregular habit
Irregular bowel habits may be due to getting up late
in the morning & trying to rush through the
morning rituals & breakfast , leaving very little time
for the visit to the toilet before going to the school or
the office .

9. Purgation or enema
The constant use of artificial aids for evacuating the
bowels results in the loss of natural reflexes & tone
of the bowel .

10. Spastic constipation
It results from excessive tone of the bowel .
Spastic constipation may be caused by irritation of
the intestinal mucosa through the excessive use of
alcohol , spices , tea , coffee, bran .
Highly strung , nervous people are more frequently
affected by this type of constipation then by the
atonic type .

11. Chronic constipation can be due to any one of a
number of factors such as ;
Inadequate diet .
Failure to establish regular times for eating ,
adequate rest & elimination .
Faulty dietary habits such as inadequate fluid & fiber
intake or use of highly refined & concentrated foods
that leave little residue in the colon .
Chronic use laxatives .

12. Obstructive constipation
Obstructive constipation is any kind of obstruction
or blockage in the stool passage .
It is usually due to malignancy .
And it cause tumor & cystic fibrosis .
Excessive straining .
Poor response to laxatives over a period of time .

14. ETIOLOGY
The most important causes for chronic constipation
are an unsuitable diet & a faulty style of living .
Much of the food we eat today is deficient in natural
bulk or roughage & this result in chronic
constipation.
Intake of refined & rich food lacking in vitamins &
minerals , insufficient intake of water , consumption
of coffee , insufficient chewing , over eating & a
wrong combination of food , irregular habits of
eating & drinking may all contribute to poor bowel
function .

16. Other frequent use of purgatives , weakness of
abdominal muscles due to sedentary habits , lack of
physical activity & emotional stress & strain .
Diseases such as
tumours or growths
sluggish liver
colitis
spastic condition of the intestines
hyperactivity
Diseases of the rectum & colon
Bad teeth
Uterine disease
Diabetes

17. Use of certain drugs for treating other enlargement
of the prostate gland can also cause chronic
constipation .
Elderly patients may suffer from constipation due to
relaxed muscle tone , inadequate dietary intake for
nutritional needs & reduced activity .

20. Having lumpy , hard , dry stool that’s difficult to
pass .
Straining to pass stool
Feeling like still need to go after have a bowel
movement .
Feeling of fullness
Pain or bloating in the abdomen
Reduced appetite
Sluggishness or lethargy
Nausea , headache & malaise ( general feeling of
discomfort ) may be associated with constipation .

21. In fact , constipation is more often just bothersome
rather than serious .But chronic constipation can
lead to some complications including ;
Hemorrhoids
Tears in the skin around the anus & rectal prolapse
( a condition in which part of the rectum sticks out
of the anus ).
Hernia
Rectal bleeding
Uterine prolapse

28. Primary nutrition therapy for the constipation is
adequate consumption of both soluble & insoluble
dietary fiber .
Fiber increases colonic fecal fluid , microbial mass ,
stool weight & frequency and the rate of colonic
transit .
The recommended amount of dietary fiber is about
14g per 1000kcal .
For adult women the diet should contain 25g of fiber
daily & men about 38g .
Fiber is the best provided in the form of whole
grains , fruits , vegetables , legumes , seeds & nuts .

29. These foods are high in nutrients & healthful
phytochemicals and may serve as prebiotics to
maintain the desired colonic micro flora .
Brans & powdered fiber supplements may be helpful
in persons who cannot or will not eat sufficient
amount of fibrous foods .
When changes in diet & activity patterns do not
improve constipation , further evaluation is
warranted .

30. High fiber diet
Dietary fiber refers primarly to edible plant materials not
digested by the enzymes in the upper digestive tract of the
humans .
It generally consists of cellulose , hemicellulose , pectins ,
gums & lignin .
The term roughage tends to refer to the end result of digestive
, secretory , absorptive & fermentative processes .
Fiber in the diet should be ingested in the form of foods such
as fruits , vegetables , whole grains , bread & cereals, legumes ,
nuts & seeds .
These foods are not only rich in fiber but are excellent sources
of vitamin , minerals , trace elements & numerous protective
phytochemicals .
The high – fiber diet is most effective when consumed
continuously for several months .