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Constipation: Take 10 questions about prevention and treatment

Constipation: Take 10 questions about prevention and treatment

The days go by and the urge to go to the bathroom does not come. There is only doubt: do I have constipation? Caused usually by poor diet, untreated intestinal constipation can lead to a host of complications such as hemorrhoids, stomach problems and even cancer. There are several ways to treat the problem, as well as identify it. If you still do not know if your bowel movement indicates constipation, how to fight it or even prevent it properly, ask your experts:

I did not go to the bathroom today. Am I constipated?

Not always. Constipation is not necessarily defined by the number of times you go to the bathroom. "Constipation happens when you have very dry stools that require a very great effort at the time of bowel movement, commonly associated with a sensation of colic and discomfort," explains nutrologist Roberto Navarro of the Brazilian Association of Nutrology. According to the specialist, you can go to the bathroom every two or three days, for example, but if the evacuation is not uncomfortable, you are not constipated. "Some people may even go to the bathroom every day, but suffer from constipation just because of the difficulty of having a bowel movement or the feeling that they have not had enough bowel movement."

Is malnutrition the only cause of constipation? . Although low-fiber and low-fluid foods are the main cause of constipation, problems can occur as a result of illness and other poor habits. "There is common constipation in the elderly, which happens because of decreased bowel movement, as well as constipation that is a side effect of medications, a consequence of sedentary lifestyle or problems in the thyroid," says Nutrologist Roberto. Patients with hemorrhoids may be afraid to evacuate, leading to constipation. There is also a rare disease, according to the nutrologist, which is defined by the lack of nerves in the wall of the intestine, responsible for contracting it. People with this disease have constipated since birth, precisely because they are unable to make the bowel function properly. "In this case, the treatment is done by putting a kind of pacemaker with electrodes on the wall of the organ that works as a stimulus."

Are probiotic products a problem?

There are a number of foods with probiotic properties, in general milk and its derivatives, such as yogurt or fermented. They are called probiotic foods that contain bacteria that are beneficial to the intestinal flora. According to Nutrologist Roberto, every probiotic food is welcome to our body because a regular intestinal flora brings a lot of benefits. "But they do not guarantee that the bowel will work properly," he says. Other habits such as good hydration and fiber intake are fundamental for the functioning of the intestinal flora, regardless of the consumption of probiotics. "You have no problem taking probiotic products every day, but if you go to the bathroom only if you use these products, it is important to review the food and seek the help of a doctor so that he can evaluate the real causes of the prison constipation can cause other diseases?

A chronic constipation increases the incidence of hemorrhoids, anal fissures and diverticulitis (formation of pouches and cysts in the intestine). "Another complication is obstruction by dry and hardened stool that clogs the intestine, causing intestinal lavage," explains gastroenterologist Carolina Pimentel, of the Gastroenterology Center of Hospital Samaritano in São Paulo. In addition, some studies relate chronic constipation to bowel cancer, since lack of bowel movement would cause stool to accumulate in the organ, leading to a concentration of carcinogenic substances.Women suffer more from constipation than men?

Yes, the frequency of constipation among women is much higher than among men. "One of the explanations is related to the behavior in the society of the feminine sex, that often it is not allowed to use public toilets or different places of his house", says the gastroenterologist Cátia Rejania Ribeiro de Melo, also of the Nucleus of Gastroenterology of the Hospital Samaritano. At times in a woman's life, such as in pregnancy, there is a decrease in bowel movements, increasing the tendency for constipation. Gynecological surgeries can make it difficult to release feces from the pelvic area, which can also lead to constipation.

Can I take laxatives when I have constipation?

It depends on the situation. The indication of the use of laxatives is made for isolated episodes, when the patient has been constipated for about seven days, but will always need a prescription. "Often, the clinical picture may be more serious than anticipated and the use of laxatives on their own can mask these problems," explains nutrologist Roberto Navarro. In some cases, the patient may need to perform procedures such as an intestinal lavage, which can even be preceded by the use of laxatives. There are also cases where the patient has severe constipation, and the doctor will prescribe the laxative as a palliative measure to relieve the constipation gut. This is because the medication is recommended when constipation is already in place, but it is not part of the treatment to educate the bowel.

Laxatives are drugs that act by causing an irritation in the wall of the intestine, forcing evacuation. It is as if the intestine identifies a foreign body and needs to expel it from the body, doing it through the feces. "Overuse can cause intestinal inflammation, and more and more doses are needed to make the laxative work," says Roberto Navarro. "The excess laxative can lead to decreased absorption of vitamins, hydroelectrolytic disturbances, and decreased body water absorption," says gastroenterologist Cátia.

Are there any foods that trap the bowel?

Yes, there are foods that make the fecal cake does not grow or leave it more dry. "Some of them are refined and white flours (breads, biscuit and biscuits), apple bananas, white rice, guava, black tea, mate tea, potatoes and cassava", says nutrologist Roberto.

What should I eat to rule To keep the bowel working properly, we must maintain the balance between the intake of fibers and liquids. "The indication is at least 35 to 30g of fiber per day, including whole foods, cereals, fruits and vegetables in shell," says gastroenterologist Carolina. In addition, it is necessary to take at least two liters of water per day, as it is this liquid that will help to leave the fecal cake with the ideal consistency, avoiding the dryness. "People who have difficulty going to the bathroom even with the correct intake of fiber can resort to fiber-based drugs, such as plants and flowers," says nutritionist Roberto. "These capsules increase the volume of stool, which puts pressure on the intestinal wall and urges the evacuation."

Practice exercises helps prevent constipation?

Yes, because in physical activity occurs a movement of the valves intestinal diseases. "They suffer involuntary contractions because of the exercise effort, and this interferes with the desire to evacuate," explains Roberto Navarro. The gastroenterologist Carolina states that the best exercises for constipation are those that work the abdomen region and relax the pelvic muscles, such as abs, swimming and yoga.

Do our emotions interfere with digestion?

Yes. Like many organs, the digestive system can be influenced by our state of mood and tension. "The pressures of work, the daily stress, the need not to waste time can turn the intestine into an easy target of the harmful effects of these situations," says gastroenterologist Cátia. The body of each person can react in different ways, some with diarrhea, others with constipation. "This is because the digestive system is governed by its own nervous system, which is influenced by the same hormones that interfere with emotions, such as serotonin and adrenaline," says the expert. Thus, the association of emotional states and intestinal dysregulation are frequent.


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