Constipation is the most common complains not only from Americans but almost all people from any countries and locations. It hits young and old alike. In order to understand constipation or impacted feces, let us tackle some of the most imposrtant information about our colon, how it works and how it expels feces from our system.

After digestion, food moves to the small intestine then to the colon or large intestine, it is here in our colon that water is absorbed from the food while the food turns into waste products (this is a normal activity). Peristaltic movement of the colon pushes the feces or commonly known as stools, gradually to the rectum and by the time it reaches there, there is little mucus on the stools. The feces now becomes hard because most of the water has been absorbed while passing throung the intestine.

Constipation happens when the intestine absorbs too much water followed by a lethargic motion of the colon. The result is, the stools are dry and hard. Days or even weeks and months of hard stools become impacted upon another. The following can contribute so much to the severity of impacted feces or absence of mucus in the stool.

•    Lack of fiber in the diet
•    Lack of exercise or any physical activities like sports
•    Milk
•    Presence of IBS
•    Pregnancy
•    Travel
•    Too much use of laxatives

In most cases, constipation and impacted feces are treated by their severity. Hard and dry stools can be relieved by eating at least 15g of dietary fiber each meal and by minimizing foods that can aggravate constipation or those foods that has no fiber at all.

Another thing is by drinking enough water, from 8 to 12 glasses a day. In advance cases where impacted fecal matter occurs, patient is given laxatives. Bulk forming laxatives are dietary fibers and the safest laxatives ever known in the market industry. It keeps the presence of mucus on stool at all time resulting in a softer,s easy to expel feces. A precautionary measure should be observe though. This should be taken with more water however; this kind of laxative can interfere with other medications. Medication like Metamucil, fiberall and serutan are examples of bulk forming laxatives.

Another way is by taking stimulants. A stimulant activates intestinal muscle to contract vigorously and expelling impacted stools in just a short time. Example medications are Correctol, Dulcolax and purge. The food and drug administration has warned the public about the risk to some over the counter stimulants that contain phenolphthalein.

If you happen to buy a medication with phenolphthalein ingredients, discontinue use it as this ingredient may increase the risk of cancer. Lubricant also is given as medication. It gives oil to the stool so that movement will be smoother. Typically lubricants will effect after 8hours after medication is taken.

Those who are dependent to laxatives should refrain from using it but in a gradual manner.  Immediate abstinence from laxative will lost its ability to contract.

 

This article was originally publish on 2009-11-12 09:34:37 +0800 and is rewritten and updated here with additional information.