CONSTIPATION: Not a converstation you strike up with strangers at the airport. Probably the last topic you discuss while on a date: "Paula tell me about your stool? Is it loose and watery, or lumpy and sausage-like?" We spend millions of dollars talking about what we put in our mouths, but what about how we let that stuff out? Bowel movements are essential to life and sustained health. There is a big difference between chronic and occasional constipation. Some people have the idea they need to have bowel movement every single day. Others may go a two or three days without releasing their innards. Occasional constipation is typically experienced by a change in your routine behavior- a different diet, decreased fluid intake, emotional changes, decrease in exercise, all could precipitate occasional constipation. This short-term disruption in fecal expulsion is usually relieved by returning to normalcy of routine and/or over-the-counter (OTC) medications. Chronic constipation should not be confused with (IBS) irritable bowel syndrome. IBS is usually accompanied by abdominal pain and gut discomfort. Most of us don't experience chronic constipation. But if you can't go to the bathroom even for 3-5 days, the plane get overcrowded and uncomfortable; someone has to disembark. How do you handle occasional constipation:
- Lubricants
- Bulking agents
- Stool softeners
- Osmotics
- Combinations
All of these constipation relieving categories involve water. Water to coat the stool, water absorbed to bulk the stool, a coating to keep water in the stool, water to mix with the stool. It doesn't take a genius to see the relationship of adequate water intake to normal bowel movements. You must drink enough water to allow the OTC medicine to work. Before you buy any medication, try walking on the beach, or at least around the block a couple times. If you are fat, and out of shape, talk with your doctor first before beginning exercise routine. Bottom line is exercise is the best medicine for ensuring regularity unless there is an underlying physical anamoly. Talk to your pharmacist about what is the best laxative for your particular condition. S/he will be happy to make some recommendations that will get things moving again. Or send me a line with about your health issues and my team of consultants and myself will create a plan for you. Email me at RPelhamSr@gmail.com.
