Constipation |
Get Rid of Constipation through Acupuncture Treatments
Constipation affects 9 out of ten 10 Americans each year. If you have one of these following symptoms then you are probably suffering from constipation. Irregular bowel movements, extreme difficulty when passing out stools, stools that are harder and drier than normal, intense straining during bowel movements and feeling of fullness even when you have relieved yourself.
As constipation symptoms vary from individual to individual, naturally constipation remedies will vary too. There are the artificial remedies like laxatives, natural remedies like a high fiber diet and the alternative remedies like acupuncture.
Acupuncture as Constipation Relief
Acupuncture has its roots in Ancient China. Acupuncture is a traditional healing system that involves and engages the insertion of needles to specific acupuncture points in the body. It works to stimulate whatever inactive body part that may be causing your health problems.
Acupuncture works by further stimulating your nervous system and consequently your energy channels to release natural pain killers such as endorphins and encephalins.
Acupuncture also works to relax your nervous system and enhance your immune system. And since the nervous system is responsible for your body’s actions, it consequently eases your constipation by boosting your bowel movements.
The China Academy of Traditional Medicine in Beijing, China concluded that acupuncture is very successful in treating a wide array of digestive complaints: and one of those digestive complaints is, you guessed right, constipation.
The Different Types of Constipation according to TCM
TCM or traditional Chinese medicine categorized the origin of constipation into two broad types: the excess types and the deficiency types. The excess types are further divided into two subcategories: heat constipation and Qi stagnation and the deficiency types into cold constipation and deficiency constipation.
Heat constipation has the following signs and symptoms: irregular bowel movements, hard and dry stools, extreme difficulty passing out stools, feeling of fullness in the abdominal area, sparse amount and yellowish urine, and heightened feeling of hotness. Acupuncture works efficiently well with this type of constipation.
Qi stagnation has the following signs and symptoms: straining during bowel movements, a feeling of incomplete elimination of stools, normal to dry stools, fullness in the abdominal area and repeated belching. Acupuncture is also successful in easing this type of constipation.
Cold constipation has the following signs and symptoms: normal to dry stools that are hard to pass out, pale complexion, cold pain in the abdomen, knees and lumbar region discomfort, frequent urination and a feeling of unusual coldness. Acupuncture will only work on this type of constipation to an extent, it is best to partner acupuncture with herbal medications.
Signs and symptoms of deficiency constipation include: normal stool consistency but hard to pass out, pale complexion, nausea and dizziness, sweats and restlessness. Acupuncture also works with this type of constipation but only to a certain extent, it is recommended that you take extra herbal medications for best results.
Constipation is passage of small amounts of hard, dry bowel movements, usually fewer than three times a week. People who are constipated may find it difficult and painful to have a bowel movement. Other symptoms of constipation include feeling bloated, uncomfortable, and sluggish.
Many people think they are constipated when, in fact, their bowel movements are regular. For example, some people believe they are constipated, or irregular, if they do not have a bowel movement every day. However, there is no right number of daily or weekly bowel movements. Normal may be three times a day or three times a week depending on the person. Also, some people naturally have firmer stools than others.
At one time or another, almost everyone gets constipated. Poor diet and lack of exercise are usually the causes. In most cases, constipation is temporary and not serious. Understanding its causes, prevention, and treatment will help most people find relief.
Who gets constipated?
According to the 1996 National Health Interview Survey, about 3 million people in the United States have frequent constipation. Those reporting constipation most often are women and adults age 65 and over. Pregnant women may have constipation, and it is a common problem following childbirth or surgery.
Constipation is one of the most common gastrointestinal complaints in the United States, resulting in about 2 million doctor visits annually. However, most people treat themselves without seeking medical help, as is evident from the millions of dollars Americans spend on laxatives each year.
What causes constipation?
To understand constipation, it helps to know how the colon (large intestine) works. As food moves through the colon, it absorbs water while forming waste products, or stool. Muscle contractions in the colon push the stool toward the rectum. By the time stool reaches the rectum, it is solid because most of the water has been absorbed.
The hard and dry stools of constipation occur when the colon absorbs too much water or if the colon's muscle contractions are slow or sluggish, causing the stool to move through the colon too slowly. Common causes of constipation are:
not enough fiber in the diet
not enough liquids
lack of exercise
medications
irritable bowel syndrome
changes in life or routine such as pregnancy, older age, and travel
abuse of laxatives
ignoring the urge to have a bowel movement
specific diseases such as stroke (by far the most common)
problems with the colon and rectum
problems with intestinal function (chronic idiopathic constipation)
Not Enough Fiber in the Diet
The most common cause of constipation is a diet low in fiber found in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains and high in fats found in cheese, eggs, and meats. People who eat plenty of high-fiber foods are less likely to become constipated.
Fiber—both soluble and insoluble—is the part of fruits, vegetables, and grains that the body cannot digest. Soluble fiber dissolves easily in water and takes on a soft, gel-like texture in the intestines. Insoluble fiber passes through the intestines almost unchanged. The bulk and soft texture of fiber help prevent hard, dry stools that are difficult to pass.
According to the National Center for Health Statistics, Americans eat an average of 5 to 14 grams of fiber daily,* short of the 20 to 35 grams recommended by the American Dietetic Association. Both children and adults eat too many refined and processed foods from which the natural fiber has been removed.
A low-fiber diet also plays a key role in constipation among older adults, who may lose interest in eating and choose convenience foods low in fiber. In addition, difficulties with chewing or swallowing may force older people to eat soft foods that are processed and low in fiber.
Not Enough Liquids
Liquids like water and juice add fluid to the colon and bulk to stools, making bowel movements softer and easier to pass. People who have problems with constipation should drink enough of these liquids every day, about eight 8-ounce glasses. Liquids that contain caffeine, like coffee and cola drinks, and alcohol have a dehydrating effect.
Lack of Exercise
Lack of exercise can lead to constipation, although doctors do not know precisely why. For example, constipation often occurs after an accident or during an illness when one must stay in bed and cannot exercise.
Medications
Some medications can cause constipation. They include:
pain medications (especially narcotics)
antacids that contain aluminum and calcium
blood pressure medications (calcium channel blockers)
antiparkinson drugs
antispasmodics
antidepressants
iron supplements
diuretics
anticonvulsants
Ignoring the Urge to Have a Bowel Movement
People who ignore the urge to have a bowel movement may eventually stop feeling the urge, which can lead to constipation. Some people delay having a bowel movement because they do not want to use toilets outside the home. Others ignore the urge because of emotional stress or because they are too busy. Children may postpone having a bowel movement because of stressful toilet training or because they do not want to interrupt their play.
Diet
A diet with enough fiber (20 to 35 grams each day) helps form soft, bulky stool. A doctor or dietitian can help plan an appropriate diet. High-fiber foods include beans, whole grains and bran cereals, fresh fruits, and vegetables such as asparagus, brussels sprouts, cabbage, and carrots. For people prone to constipation, limiting foods that have little or no fiber, such as ice cream, cheese, meat, and processed foods, is also important.
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