Types of Constipation

Constipation is a condition of the digestive system caused by a variety of different factors. Diet, purposeful suppression of bowel movements, physical obstruction, psychosomatic thoughts and the misuse of laxatives may all lead to eventual constipation. Identifying the specific cause of constipation is important for determining the proper course of treatment.

Definition

• Constipation is the inability to pass stool at a healthy frequency. When a person is constipated, the stools are hard and require physical straining to pass. Constipation can be caused by multiple factors, and remedies for the condition are specific to the cause.

Diet

• Poor diet is a major contributing factor to constipation. Fast foods and diets that center on grease and fat are correlated with constipation in children and adults. Dietary fiber is essential for passing healthy stools and is an important component to any healthy diet. It is also important to stay hydrated so that stools contain a sufficient amount of moisture to be easily passed.

Suppressing Bowel Movements

• Avoiding trips to the bathroom (otherwise known as "holding it") despite the need to have a bowel movement may eventually lead to constipation. Suppressing bowel movements when a person feels the urge to go is unhealthy because it is ignoring the body's natural signals. If someone ignores the signals for too long, his body may cease to send them.

Obstruction

• A more serious cause of constipation is bowel obstruction. This occurs when part of the intestinal system prevents stool from being passed either through dysfunction or blockage. Foreign objects may also enter into the digestive system and eventually obstruct the passage of stool if they are too large to be easily passed on their own. Medical attention should be sought immediately if an obstruction is suspected.

Psychosomatic

• Some people are so uncomfortable with using the restroom in unfamiliar settings that they will convince themselves they don't need to use the facilities when they indeed should. Road trips, dinner parties, camping and time spent at places with dirty bathrooms are all causes of psychosomatic constipation. Others become so focused on trying to have a bowel movement that they build up a great deal of stress surrounding the event and are unable to produce. It is important in these instances to remember that using the restroom at regular intervals is healthy and necessary and that just relaxing and letting it happen can sometimes be the best cure for constipation.

Abusing Laxatives

• People who abuse laxatives, such as those with chronic eating disorders, throw their digestive system into deregulation. Long-term, heavy use of laxatives leads to intestinal paralysis, which prevents the peristaltic movements necessary for the passage of stool. Constipation eventually results, nullifying the purpose of using laxatives in the first place. This cause of constipation can be avoided completely by using laxatives only when absolutely necessary and never for the abusive purpose of weight loss.