What Are the Myths & Misconceptions About Chronic Constipation?

Chronic constipation is different from occasional constipation in terms of frequency and sometimes severity. Chronic constipation has its own set of causes and management tools, some of which have been rumored to be detrimental to digestive health as well as the health of the body as a whole.

Fiber

• Many people believe that the most effective way to prevent constipation is to ensure adequate intake of dietary fiber. While fiber is beneficial to people who suffer from occasional and mild episodes of constipation, it is not shown to be effective in those with chronic and severe episodes of constipation, or in those who become constipated very easily.

Colon Length

• Having a narrow colon plays very little role in the cause of constipation. Chronic constipation, however, may be caused by poor contraction of the muscles in the colon, which causes stool to remain in the colon for longer periods of time. The longer stool remains in the colon, the more water is absorbed from the stool, and that makes the stool dry and difficult to pass.

Laxative Use

• Using laxatives to treat chronic constipation, as long as the use is carried out at the recommended dosage levels, poses no risk for dependence. It is recommended, however, not to use one type of laxative for an extended period of time, as this can cause the type of laxative to become ineffective at treating constipation. Develop an alternating regimen of laxatives to use for constipation that depends on the severity of each episode of constipation.

Enemas

• Colon cleansing can be a great method for achieving and maintaining proper digestive health. The best way many people have found to cleanse the colon is through the use of home enemas. High enemas, which are done with an enema bag, work higher in the colon to cleanse the colon of toxins that can spread from the digestive system throughout the body. Performing high colonic cleansing helps to maintain health throughout the body. For people with chronic constipation, the use of enemas poses very little risk for dependency

Water Intake

• People who suffer with chronic constipation might or might not benefit from adequate fluid and water intake. People who suffer chronic constipation often absorb water at different rates than people fortunate enough not to suffer chronic constipation, therefore water has very little effect on the digestive tract of chronic constipation sufferers.

Risks of Chronic constipation

• Although chronic constipation is definitely uncomfortable, the condition itself is rarely cause for alarm. When many of the remedies commonly used for chronic constipation, such as laxatives enemas and fiber, become ineffective, you might want to rule out causes such as colon cancer as the culprit behind your chronic constipation.