Act Fast To Get Rid Of Constipation
June 20, 2008
With many healthy and unhealthy food options available today, constipation still remains part of today’s busy lifestyle. It’s not unheard of for a healthy person to get short bouts of constipation every now and again. Regrettably, often temporary constipation can lead to extended fecal impaction. Fecal impaction necessitates immediate action to avert any serious consequences.
To counteract intestinal impaction and constipation, first take a look at your eating habits. Many healthy food options are now available and more people are eating healthy, however constipation could be a result of how you eat. Proper chewing allows enzymes to break down nutrients in the foods you eat and begins digestion. Thus, eating slowly and taking time to chew is important.
Of course, food choices are just as critical. If constipation is more frequent than you’d like, you may have drifted toward a diet too rich in either fat or sugar. In this case, changes are in order. What may be lacking is fiber and you’ll be wise to either supplement your fiber intake or add more veggies to your meals.
Another vital component of digestive health and avoidance of constipation and fecal impaction is proper hydration. Soda and coffee do not count as hydrating liquids. Remember, the goal of the digestive process is the uptake of nutrients and the elimination of waste. But, if you increase your fiber intake and don’t also increase your water intake, you are bound to literally clog up your lower intestines.
For those who eat by the book, vitamins may be the reason for constipation. Vitamins, even when used properly, can cause constipation. Iron supplements are among the most notorious.
Some choose to undergo a colon cleanse to stop constipation. However, it’s not something to undergo without first consulting your doctor. Your doctor may rather you try to drink a glass of prune juice after every meal, instead of opting for a traditional colon cleanse.
A child who is constipated should be carefully looked upon by the parents. Fecal impaction should be avoided by careful observation and action. Often parents can easily look back over the child’s diet and backtrack to find a change and cause of constipation.
A child with chronic constipation should absolutely be seen by a physician. Often kids will swallow small non-food objects and they cause them to be constipated by intestinal obstruction. Obstruction can be life threatening, however an x-ray can show quickly whether obstruction is the problem.
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