ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE

Alternative Medicine

Alternative Medicine

This paper continues with explanations of common types of laxatives used to treat constipation problems stimulant laxatives. These cause the muscles of the small intestine and colon to move content faster, and they increase the amount of water in the stool, either by reducing the absorption of water by the colon or by bringing to secrete into the small intestine. Stimulant laxatives most commonly used contain castor oil, senna, and aloe. They are very effective but can cause severe diarrhea, which could lead to dehydration and loss of electrolytes (especially potassium). They are also more likely to cause intestinal cramps and other laxatives. Chronic use may damage the colon and worsen constipation. Bisacodyl affect the nerves of the colon, which stimulates the muscles to move.Prunes also contain a mild stimulant to the colon.

Enemas are another effective treatment for constipation, and many different types are available. By distending the rectum, all enemas to stimulate the colon to contract and eliminate stool, but some contain the same ingredients found in laxatives that work the same way. Saline enemas draw water into the colon; phosphate enemas stimulate the muscles of the colon, enemas and mineral oil emollients soften hard stools. Enemas are particularly useful for treating compaction (hardening of the stool in the rectum). Frequent use of enemas can affect fluids and electrolytes in the body, especially with tap water enemas. The Soapsuds enemas can seriously damage the rectum, and are not desirable.

During digestion, the intestines contract to move food through the digestive tract. This phenomenon is called the contraction of peristalsis . In case of constipation, peristalsis is slowed and the stools are too long in the colon. In the vast majority of cases no organic cause is found and constipation is "functional".

Most of the time, functional constipation is caused by poor eating habits, physical inactivity,stress , the anxiety or the presence of hemorrhoids or anal fissures that make the person refrains from stool .

Delaying a bowel movement when the urge is felt is an other common cause of constipation.The more they stay long in the colon, the stools become hard like pebbles and difficult to evacuate. This is because the body through the colon to reabsorb much water in the stool.Retain their evacuation can also cause pain and anal fissures.

For some people, when defecation, the muscle of the anus (anal sphincter) is contracting to relax, thus blocking the passage of stool. 14,15 To explain this poor timing of the reflexes,the assumptions often point to psychological factors 16. In many cases, however, we do not find neither cause nor trigger.

Constipation can also result from a more complex disease or accompany it (the irritable bowel syndrome , etc.). It may also include diverticulitis , an organic lesion of the colon or pericolic region ( colorectal cancer , for example), a disorder of metabolism (hypercalcemia, hypokalemia), or endocrine problems ( hypothyroidism ) or neurological (diabetic neuropathy,Parkinson's , spinal cord disease).

In rare cases, constipation is caused by an occlusion (or obstruction) intestinal, which corresponds to a total blockage of the bowel. Constipation then occurs suddenly and is accompanied by vomiting. It requires an urgent consultation.

Many medications can also cause constipation, which, paradoxically, some laxatives when taken for long periods, anxiolytics, antidepressants, morphine, codeine and other opiates, some antispasmodic (anticholinergic), anti- inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, certain antihypertensives (especially calcium channel ...