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Constipation

Constipation is a condition in which a person has uncomfortable or infrequent bowel movement.  A person with constipation has hard dry stools as a result of food moving slowly through the large intestine.  The person may feel as though the rectum has not been completely emptied. 

Constipation can be acute and chronic.  The cause of acute constipation may be a change of diet or physical activity, or occasionally due to serious medical problems such as the obstruction of large intestine, nerve or spinal cord injury.  Certain medications also cause acute constipation. Chronic constipation is often the result of too little physical activity and too little fiber in the diet.  High levels of calcium and low levels of thyroid hormones can also lead to chronic constipation. 

As the colon stores waste matter, infrequent elimination can lead to toxic accumulation in the body.  Constipation can cause other ailments, such as appendicitis, bad breath, body odor, gas, hemorrhoids, indigestion, malabsorption.  Toxins from bowel bacteria may also involve in the development of some other bacterial infections. 

Constipation can be treated with bulking agents, stool softeners, laxatives and enemas but the most effective way is to maintain a healthy diet, drink enough fluids, eat fiber-rich foods, and stay active.  

Food supplements for constipation:

Psyllium seed

Flaxseed

Cascara sagrada

Senna

Apple pectin