Constipation

Have you suffered from constipation before or is being constipated a way of life? Chronic constipation is a condition where an individual's intestine doesn't function as it should, causing bowel movements to be delayed or difficult to pass.

Constipation differs from other forms of the illness, where the intestine itself functions well and is healthy, and the blockage is a temporary one caused by environmental factors such as poor diet or dehydration.

Being constipated is certainly made worse by environmental factors such as diet, dehydration, changes in life or routine, or stress, but the actual cause is the malfunctioning of the intestine.

Constipation causes pain, bloating and can point to other illnesses that require your immediate attention. To get some ideas and information on how to identify and treat constipation check slimming.co.uk

Medicine can't say for certain what causes this form of what is usually a temporary illness - a symptom, rather than an illness unto itself. However, given that it doesn't respond to standard treatment, it's believed to be associated with problems with the functioning of the intestine, difficulties with hormone levels, and problems with the nerves, muscles, colon, rectum and anus.

It also may be a symptom of another illness, such as hypothyroidism, neurological disorders, Parkinson's disease or diabetes. The diagnosis is usually made if the individual has experienced straining during bowel movements, hard stools, a feeling of blockage, and fewer than three bowel movements a week for at least 12 weeks a year.

After your diagnosis, your GP will discuss a variety of treatments you can undertake. Sometimes medication such as laxatives will be prescribed. Sometimes changes will be made to your diet and exercise regimes.

If the condition fails to clear, your GP may conduct a physical examination, or a barium enema x-ray to check for obstructions or muscular malfunctions. The good news is that for most people, this is not a life long condition, and if suffers receive the proper attention and treatment, they can live normal lives.