Description
A person who complains of constipation passes dry and hard stools less frequently than once a day. Constipation may be acute, developing suddenly or long standing (chronic). Acute constipation may be a part of a more serious illness. Such cases should be referred to the hospital immediately. Constipation may also occur following an attack of diarrhea or the day after taking a purgative. Constipation in children is due to faulty dietary habits.
Associated symptoms
Abdominal discomfort
Pain
Loss of appetite
Headache
Management
Any one of the following remedies should be used for the management of constipation.
Warning
Constipated patients having vomiting and abdominal pain should be referred to the near by primary health center or hospital immediately.
Diet and regimens
The patient should take less meat, egg and fried food. He/she should take more of leafy vegetables and fruits (high fiber diet). The common cause of constipation is carelessness about going to toilet regularly, especially when there is an urge for defecation. The patient should be regular in his/her habits.
Further readings
What is constipation?
Common causes of constipation
Investigation of severe constipation
Treatment for constipation
Dietary fibers and constipation
A person who complains of constipation passes dry and hard stools less frequently than once a day. Constipation may be acute, developing suddenly or long standing (chronic). Acute constipation may be a part of a more serious illness. Such cases should be referred to the hospital immediately. Constipation may also occur following an attack of diarrhea or the day after taking a purgative. Constipation in children is due to faulty dietary habits.
Associated symptoms
Abdominal discomfort
Pain
Loss of appetite
Headache
Management
Any one of the following remedies should be used for the management of constipation.
- constipation in babies; give 1g of ispaghula husk(Plantago ovata) three times per day with warm milk or warm water by adding a pinch ofsugar.
- Constipation in pregnant women; give 2 teaspoonfuls (10g) of the ispaghula husk twice daily with warm milk or warm water.
- Constipation in adults; give 1teaspoonful (5g) of the powder of Terminalia chebula or 2 teaspoonfuls of the ispaghula husk at bed time with hot water or hot milk. The former is more powerful than the latter.
- Constipation associated with pain in the abdomen; give 1 teaspoonful (5g) of the powder of Terminalia chebula, together with 1g of ginger. It can also be given as a decoctioncontaining Terminalia chebula.Give 2 teaspoonfuls decoction to which 1g of ginger (Zingiber officinale) is added.
Warning
Constipated patients having vomiting and abdominal pain should be referred to the near by primary health center or hospital immediately.
Diet and regimens
The patient should take less meat, egg and fried food. He/she should take more of leafy vegetables and fruits (high fiber diet). The common cause of constipation is carelessness about going to toilet regularly, especially when there is an urge for defecation. The patient should be regular in his/her habits.
Further readings
What is constipation?
Common causes of constipation
Investigation of severe constipation
Treatment for constipation
Dietary fibers and constipation
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