May
30
Remedies for Regularity
May 30, 2007 | 2 Comments
Fiber is good for our bodies, but over the years I’ve heard different complaints from people about it just adding bulk and not really helping to soften the stool enough in order for it to move easily through the system. As the saying goes “different strokes for different folks” and I think the same applies with remedies to help in the softening process. Some people live by their daily swig of Phillips’ Milk of Magnesia, some are partial to their flavored drink with Metamucil added and some rely on prescriptions. One such remedy that helped me after the birth of my first child was a prescription powder called GlycoLax. Brand name GlycoLax is generically referred to as Polyethylene glycol 3350 and is a laxative solution that increases the amount of water in the intestinal tract to stimulate bowel movements. Although this was a prescription for me, I believe now a similar product by the name of MiraLax can now be found over-the-counter.
I know this is not a topic of conversation at most dinner tables or standing around the coffee pot at work, but what is your remedy for keeping regular???
May
21
The difference between soluble and insoluble fiber
May 21, 2007 | 5 Comments
We all know fiber is a very important part of our nutritional daily needs, but did you know there is a difference between Insoluble and Soluble fiber? According to Gloria Tsang R.D. who wrote a nutrition newsletter entitled
Fiber 101: Soluble Fiber vs. Insoluble Fiber:
Both soluble and insoluble fiber are undigested. They are therefore not absorbed into the bloodstream. Instead of being used for energy, fiber is excreted from our bodies. Soluble fiber forms a gel when mixed with liquid, while insoluble fiber does not. Insoluble fiber passes through our intestines largely intact.
At this site Gloria breaks the two down further by functions, benefits and food sources. Check it out for more information.
May
15
What’s your bowel movement schedule? While visiting missionaries in Uganda, Africa in ‘95 we were asked that question every day simply because we were in a different country and our surroundings could cause some irregular bowels and potentially lead to other issues. We’ve all heard statements that a normal, healthy individual should have 3 bowel movements a day, but if you are a person that does not fall into that category there is no need for concern.
From NIA Publications:
People often worry too much about having a bowel movement every day. There is no right number of daily or weekly bowel movements. Being regular is different for each person. For some people, it can mean bowel movements twice a day. For others, movements just three times a week are normal.
Questions to Ask Some doctors suggest asking these questions to decide if you are constipated:
- Do you often have fewer than three bowel movements a week?
- Do you often have a hard time passing stools?
- Are stools often lumpy or hard?
- Do you have a feeling of being blocked or of not having fully emptied your bowel?
Did you answer “yes” to one or more of these questions? If so, you may have a constipation problem. Otherwise, you probably do not.
May
14
What is constipation?
May 14, 2007 | Leave a Comment
So we’ve all dealt with this uncomfortable feeling at some point in our
lives and for obvious reasons choose not to discuss openly about it. This
site is meant to help by giving hints and information in order to hopefully
avoid having this problem reoccur. To begin with the basics, just what is
constipation??? According to dictionary.com constipation is “a condition
of the bowels in which the feces are dry and hardened and evacuation is difficult and infrequent”.
At one time or another, each of us will deal with constipation. Defined as a condition that has its origin in the digestive system, constipation occurs when a person is unable to eliminate wastes from the body without pain, or even temporarily be unable to eliminate waste at all. When it is impossible to defecate, this indicates the presence of bowel obstruction. Severe cases of constipation are referred to as obstipation.
When it comes to the causes of constipation, the condition may be due to issues with the type of diet that is being consumed. Another common cause of temporary constipation is as a side effect of an over the counter or proscribed medication that one is currently taking. Constipation may be the result of some other illness that one has experienced lately, or even a shift in hormone balance within the body. Also, such origins as lead poisoning and damage experienced by the anal sphincter may lead to constipation. Please click here for more information on Constipation Causes.
The symptoms for constipation are very common and well documented. The individual will experience a sense of extreme fullness and a desire to defecate. Abdominal cramps are often present with constipation. In the event that the individual is able to eliminate any waste at all, the elimination is accompanied by a great deal of pain. Some people may report low-grade fever during a bout of constipation, as well as the psychological symptoms of being anxious, nervous, and unable to focus on any task as a result of the physical discomfort. Please click here for more information on Constipation Symptoms.
Treating constipation may involve making some quick changes to diet and exercise patterns. For example, dehydration can lead to constipation. Increasing the intake of water and some juices may be all it takes to loosen the stool and allow for a normal bowel movement. Adding more fresh fruits and vegetables to the daily diet can also effectively treat constipation. In the event of a virus being the cause of the constipation, antibiotics will provide relief for constipation in a short time. Please click here for more information on Constipation Treatments.
(source: 8medical.com/constipation/)
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