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Health & Wellness

2004-04-01 09:19:00

What causes constipation

ANSWER:  It is healthiest to have three bowel movements per day, every day.  Americans eat food at least 3 times per day, so three bowel movements per day would make sense: food in, food out.  Constipation is when people have only one bowel movement or less per day.  The expression constipation is derived from the Latin word "constipates," which translated mean 'to press or crown together, to pack, to cram.'  Consequently, to be constipated means that the packed accumulated feces in the bowel makes its evacuation difficult.There are many factors that can lead to constipation.  Generally it is a combination of factors that together create a lifestyle, which ultimately results in constipation.  Diets high in processed food and refined sugar set the stage for constipation.  Lack of exercise inhibits the peristalsis motions of the colon that help expel fecal matter.  Many medications can cause constipation, including anti-depressants, pain medications, antacids that contain aluminum, diuretics and antibiotics.  Lack of water and stressful lifestyle are key factors in creating constipation.Constipation creates poor health by slowing down the food transit time, which should be less than 24 hours.  When transit time slows down, putrefied material stays in the colon longer, and toxins from the rotting fecal matter can enter the bloodstream through the intestinal wall.  This can lead to autointoxification, which causes toxins to settle into the tissue, creating many disease states including autoimmune disorders.  A person suffering from constipation is a perfect candidate for intestinal parasites and fungus.  Some of the problems that result from constipation include headaches, brain fog, depression, candida, fatigue, obesity, PMS, bad breath, indigestion, gas, irritability, bloating, arthritis, and body odor.  People who are constipated are 4 times more likely to develop colon and breast cancers.