August 20, 2022
Constipation is a disorder of gastrointestinal motility characterized by difficult or decreased bowel movements (less than three times a week). It may be caused by a change in diet, medication, a change in daily routine, abdominal surgery or acute emotional stress. Longer-lasting constipation, however, generally occurs when disease, poor diet, muscle spasticity, physical obstructions, sluggish contractions, or other factors cause stool to move through the colon at a slower-than-normal pace, until by the time it reaches the end of the large intestine it has lost a great deal of water and has become hard, dry, and difficult to eliminate. Even those who have a bowel movement every day may have hidden constipation, that is, feces remaining in any of the three divisions of the colon or in the rectum itself.
According to Naturopathic medicine there are three primary causes of constipation, atonic (due to dilated or ptosed intestines, loose rectal muscles, or inactivity), spastic (due to irritation caused by food, medicines, parasites or emotional stress) or obstructive (due to adhesions from surgery or infection). Treatment includes nutrition (including dietary changes, probiotics, digestive enzymes and dietary supplements), internal and external hydrotherapy, botanical and homeopathic medicines and manual therapies such as massage and visceral manipulation. Colon hydrotherapy may be employed as a method of stretching the muscles and fascia of the colon from within.
