What is Constipation (Qabz)
Constipation is normally considered as a routine problem in our society. In fact, the constipation is the beginning of many diseases.
Constipation is when you pass stools less often than usual, or when you are having difficulty going to the toilet because your stools are hard and small.
It is retention of the stools or inability to have a bowel movement for any reason. Constipation may be acute or chronic.
Causes of Constipation
The details of possible causes are reproduced below:
· Un-balanced or poor diet such as eating same kind of food for long time, lack of vegetables, not enough fiber in the diet, deficiency of Vitamins, too rough or dry food.
· Not enough liquids, lack of exercise, ignoring the urge to have a bowel movement
· Sitting habits, anxiety, worry, etc. lead to 'Spastic Colon'. Poor muscular tone and anemia also lead to constipation.
· Deficient activity of thyroid and pituitary gland, Catarrh of the colon, Brain tumor, etc, lead to constipation.
· Certain crude drugs such as opium iron etc; hard waters and functional inactivity of the liver cause constipation.
· Chronic constipation may lead to Hemorrhoids (Piles) and distension of colon with ulcerative condition etc.
Symptoms of Constipation:
Laziness, sadness, sleeplessness, headache, coated tongue, loss of appetite and anemia are some of the symptoms. In certain cases, the retention of the stools is followed by alternating diarrhea, which sometimes leads to wrong diagnosis.
TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR CONSTIPATION
1. TREATMENT AT HOME
A three steps simple treatment which can easily be done at home is given below. It is very effective in most of the chronic cases.
First Step
a) Take one full glass of warm water (approx. 300-350 ml capacity) with one tea spoon of home used salt (sodium chloride) dissolved in it, 15-30 minutes before going to bed daily for 10 nights.
b) The same should be repeated at morning, 15-30 minutes before going to toilet and taking breakfast.
Second Step
c) Take one full glass of warm water (approx. 300-350 ml capacity) without salt, 15-30 minutes before going to bed daily for next 10 nights.
d) The same should be repeated at morning, 15-30 minutes before going to toilet and taking breakfast.
Third Step
e) Take one full glass of simple water (approx. 300-350 ml capacity) without salt, 15-30 minutes before going to bed daily for next 10 nights.
f) The same should be repeated at morning, 15-30 minutes before going to toilet and taking breakfast.
Note: This procedure can be changed according to the condition of the patient. However, in most cases this simple method is effective.
2. Treatment through Tissue Salts (Biochemical Salts)
A very effective composition is given under: In my experience, it always provided perfect results.
Composition: CP3x, CF3x, KM3x, NM3x, Sil6x (all in equal quantity)
Indications: Bowels constipated, dry, hard, stool, dull headache, foul breath, coated-tongue.
Note: This composition can be prepared by oneselfl. However, it is also available at all Homeo stores with different names such as Bioplasgen No.4, Biocom No.4 or Biochemic No. 4 etc)
Dosage: (Take 4 tablets 4-6 times a day as per requirement, regularly for long time. These tablets should be directly put on tongue and let be dissolved. )
Besides, following salts are very useful according to symptoms mentioned against each:
Ferr. Phos: Is useful in constipation when it is due to heat in the lower bowel (rectum) causing hardening of the stools. The stools are very dry. It cures piles and prolapsus of the rectum due to constipation.
Kali Mur: Is indicated when the constipation is due to torpidity of the liver with want of bile. The tongue is coated white or grayish white. Patient cannot tolerate fatty food.
Kali Phos: Is useful in constipation due to nervous causes. It cures paretic condition of' the rectum and colon. The stools are dark brown in colour.
Nat. Mur: Is prescribed when the trouble is due to lack of moisture in the intestinal tract. Dryness of the bowels with watery secretions in other parts. Watery eyes, excess of saliva, watery vomiting call for the use of this remedy. There is water-brash and dribbling of saliva during sleep. Stools are hard, dry and difficult to pass. Constipation with headache and drowsiness needs Nat. Mur.
Cal. Fluor: Is useful when there is inability to expel the faces. This inability is due to the relaxed condition of the rectum. Constipation after confinement needs this remedy.
Nat. Sulph: Is useful when the stools are hard, knotty and streaked with blood preceded and accompanied by smarting in the anus. Even soft stool is expelled with difficulty. It has fetid flatus in large quantities.
Nat. Phos: Should be thought of in obstinate cases. It has habitual constipation with occasional attacks of diarrhoea. The child suffers from worms and acidity.
3. Treatment in Homeopathy
Note: Homeopathic Treatment requires strict individualization. Please do not take any medicine without consulting your physician/homeopath.
CONSTIPATION
Condition: When there is constipation with no urgings for a stool and/or when there is painful gas;
Medicine Suggested: Raphanus 30 C
Condition: Stools feel too large and hard to pass, especially in the elderly
Medicine Suggested: Bryonia 30C
Condition: No desire to open bowels for several days, then pass large stool. Colicky pains and bowels ache
Medicine Suggested: Graphites 30C
Condition: Great flatulence. No stools passed for several days, then hard stools passed with difficulty.
Medicine Suggested: Lycopodium 30C
Condition: Frequent urge to pass stools, but always feel that more to come
Medicine Suggested: Nux vom 30C
Condition: Not strong enough to expel stool, so slips back in.
Medicine Suggested: Silicea 30C
Condition: Stools large, hard, dark and dry. Painful to pass
Medicine Suggested: Sulphur 30C
Some other important medicines includes Opium, Plumbum Met, Alumina etc. for which Materia Medica should be consulted.
Constipation in children
Due to indigestion or liver problem then Bryonia 3.( After Bryonia stool will become dry,hard,long,blackish and it comes with great difficulty ).
In case of long and hard stool Nux Vom 3.
In case of abdominal disorders and white coating on tongue Antim Crud 6.
In case of hard stool and wind formation in stomach Lycopodium 30.
Cronic Constipation then give Sulphur 30 in between.
Note: Mother Tincture’s form of Abroma augusta radix, Hydrastis, Senna as per symptoms are also very effective.
