Hey grammy1-ga, how are you doing?
In younger, healthier patients a retraining of bowel movements (and a
regime of exercise) is in order. Avoiding invalidism, never ignoring
the first urge to go to stools, and making every effort not to be an
overanxious mother can do much to avoid constipation.
When children are affected, the cause is usually an overanxious mother
exacerbating an imagined condition. Constipation can also be induced
by those who habitually ignore the urge to defecate, while those with
a long dependence on laxatives and enemas, often starting in
childhood, continue that dependence.
Nervous factors, too, are a major cause, for the colon frequently
responds negatively to agitation, to continuous haste, to fear and
anxiety. Even mild excitementcan block up the colon, such as going on
a trip or changing jobs.
A conciderable difference of opinion exists regarding the actual
meaning of constipation. Generally, the accepted medical defination is
at least three days between the passage of very hard stools.
Constipation can often be overcome by eating naturally laxative foods,
such as fruits, plenty of vegetables, particularly rough ones, high
bulkage foods (bran), and consuming eight glasses of water and/or
prune juice daily. An attempt should be made to regulate bowel
movement for the same time everyday.
If the bowels don't move today there's every chance they'll move
tomorrow of the following day. Following the advice of a good
physician or following one's on good sense almost always mitigates
constipation and restores evacuation.
If none of the home care measures is working, call your doctor.
Significant abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite,
fever, or bloody diarrhea, can be related to constipation, however,
can indicate a serious medical condition.
REFERENCES
Max A. Teslar, M.D.: Constipation (lazy colon, atonic constipation)
Funk & Wagnalls Family Medical Guide, sec. 176; chap. 9 THE DIGESTIVE
SYSTEM; p. 366.
Victoria NH Wilson, MD,: Constipation In Children
Resident Physician, Department of Emergency Medicine, Wake Forest
University Baptist Medical Center. eMedicine Patient Education
(article).
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/articles/9900-4.asp
Best wishes, |
