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by
Konstantin
Monastyrsky
Constipation is one of the most intractable and
unpleasant
lifestyle disorders facing Westerners. It starts shortly after the birth at a 3% rate,
exceeds 50% by the age 50,
and reaches over 90% by the age 80. It would be easy to dismiss as a
mere nuisance if not for one undisputable fact — constipation-related
complications are behind practically all
of the age-onset colorectal disorders, ranging from enlarged hemorrhoids to
colon cancer, and everything in between.
Constipation rarely happens out of the blue in
otherwise healthy adults. It is
usually preceded by decades of semi-regular stools that are either
too large, or too hard, or both. These abnormal stools cause gradual
nerve damage and enlargement of the colon, rectum, and
hemorrhoidal pads until one day the bowels refuse to move as was meant by
nature — once or twice daily, usually after a meal, and with zero effort
or notice. Therefore, it's best to recognize and eliminate abnormal
stools long before they
bite you in the ass, literally and figuratively.
— But what exactly are normal stools?
— Well, here is the
answer:
Problems watching? View on
YouTube.
Read transcript, view
BSF chart, and learn
how to interpret your type.
If your BSF type isn't right, begin the recovery
process by reading the
Constipation Unplugged essay and reviewing the answers to the questions on this page. It represents
the most comprehensive and up-to-date compendium of hard-to-find
information about constipation and related complications than any other
resource off or on line.
Please select the question
that best describes your particular concerns and circumstances, and
follow up with recommended links. Use the Backspace key to return to
this page:
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Why do women get constipated more often than men?
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Anatomical differences, excessive concerns over
hygiene, social conditioning, stricter compliance with erroneous medical
advice, on-and-off weight loss diets, pregnancies, and a propensity for “healthier” nutrition
(i.e. low-salt, low-fat, high fiber, eight glasses of water) predisposes women to
constipation much more than men. Fortunately, you don't need a
gender-bender to avoid this trap! More... |
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What is the difference between irregularity and
constipation?
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The easiest way to turn a legitimate disease into a
mere nuisance is by blaming the patients' perception for feeling sick. That
is exactly what Big Pharma did by turning 'constipation' into
'irregularity' in order to cover up one of the most dominant side
effects of prescription drugs. No constipation — no problems getting the
FDA approval to peddle these drugs, making a bundle of money in the
process, and you — constipated for life!
More... |
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Is constipation dangerous for my health?
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The mainstream medical establishment in the United
States treats constipation as a mere nuisance rather than the serious
medical condition that it is. To make a bad situation worse, the
dominant dietary advice and medical treatment — particularly dietary
fiber, overhydration, and laxatives — intensify constipation and its
irreversible side effects even more. More... |
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How often should I move my bowels?
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According to the dominant medical advice, moving
your bowels as little as once every three days is considered normal,
while, in fact, a frequency this low indicates severe fecal impaction,
stool transit disorders, and chronic constipation — the conditions that
commonly precede enlarged hemorrhoids, diverticular disease, polyposis,
and colorectal cancer. More... |
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Why do some foods cause constipation?
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There is only one 'food' component that may cause
constipation — indigestible fiber. Too much fiber
leads to bowel obstruction, too little indicates bowel dependence.
All other natural foods digest near completely, and don't play any role
in forming stools. In fact, if your stool test shows any
remnants of fats, proteins, or carbohydrates, it means you are affected
by a severe malabsorption disorder, ranging from gastroenterocolitis to
liver or pancreatic cancer. More... |
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Does stress cause constipation and why?
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Chronic and sporadic stress disrupt regular bowel movements and
contribute to constipation. Adding fiber, fluids, and laxatives to
alleviate constipation makes it worse, and perpetuates stress even more.
The information on this page will help you break this vicious cycle.
More... |
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Why do doctors recommend fiber to relieve constipation?
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The majority of medical doctors in the United States
practice medicine “by the book.” This means a strict adherence to
established clinical guidelines and standards of care in order to
insulate themselves from malpractice lawsuits. Unfortunately for
patients, doctors are taught to recommend fiber not because it is good
for them, but because it benefits those who wrote “the book.”
More... |
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Does alcohol cause constipation?
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Alcohol inhibits digestion, causes dehydration,
depresses glucose metabolism, and compromises the functioning of the
central and peripheral nervous systems. The cumulative impact of these
factors is behind chronic constipation related to alcohol abuse.
More... |
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Why does anal sex cause constipation?
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Anal sex is like large hard stools, only in
reverse. It also lasts longer than a bowel movement, and causes
significantly more carnage: enlarged internal hemorrhoids, anal
fissures, ulcers, fistulas, nerve damage, rectocele, the weakness of
anal sphincters, chronic pain, fecal incontinence, and, of course,
chronic constipation. More... |
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What causes traveler's constipation?
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Healthy people can't suppress the urge to move the
bowels for too long no matter the circumstances or time zone. Thus,
traveler's constipation is a marker of latent constipation — a form of
hidden constipation that is behind enlarged hemorrhoids, anorectal
neuropathy, diverticular disease, megacolon, IBS, PMS, inflammatory
bowel disease, colorectal polyps, and many other conditions.
More... |
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What is the connection between autism, infant
constipation and diarrhea?
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According to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, “560,000 individuals between the ages of 0 to 21 have an
ASD [autism spectrum disorders]”, and “between 1994 and 2004, the number of 6
to 17-year-old children classified as having an ASD in public special
education programs increased from 22,664 to 193,637.” More... |
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Why is my infant constipated?
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The standing pediatric advice to accept irregular bowel
movements as normal is a principal cause of constipation in infants and
toddlers. After irregularity turns into constipation, the ensuing
treatment with fiber, fluids, and juices often causes diarrhea, and is,
in part, behind the epidemic of autism in the United States.
More... |
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Why is my toddler suddenly constipated?
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The wrong medical advice is behind chronic constipation
in toddlers. Recommended dietary changes not only do not resolve
constipation, but also may result in diarrhea, inflammatory bowel
disease, and development problems caused by the ensuing malnutrition.
More... |
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What are the
causes of constipation in older children?
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Older children are affected by constipation just as
often and just as badly as adults, and for all the same reasons — bad
medical advice, dietary fiber, over-hydration, addiction to laxatives,
environmental pollutants, and stress. There is only one way to prevent
and reverse it — do everything the opposite to what pediatricians and
nutritionists recommend. More... |
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What is the
connection between constipation and the epidemic of juvenile diabetes? |
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The pancreatic duct terminates in the duodenum, the
first section of the small intestine that comes right after the stomach.
The duodenum is particularly small in young children, and can be easily
obstructed by the fiber in morning cereals, fruits, vegetables, or
supplements, particularly when provided to relieve constipation. The
ensuing obstruction, even brief, may block the pancreatic duct and cause
inflammation of the pancreas. In turn, acute pancreatitis may cause
the destruction of the insulin-producing beta cells in the islets of Langerhans. A child without functional insulin-producing cells is
condemned to a life of blood sugar monitoring, insulin injections, and
all that follows. By age 40, the mortality rate among children affected
by type I diabetes is twenty times higher than in the general
population. I discuss the likely events preceding pancreatitis
here. |
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Is it true that dietary fiber prevents or relieves
constipation? |
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No, it isn‘t. Fiber from fruits, vegetables, grains,
bran, and laxatives is the PRIMARY cause of chronic, persistent
constipation and related colorectal disorders.
More... |
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Can I relieve constipation by
drinking more water?
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No, you can't. Actually, sipping two, three, five, ten
or more liters of water wouldn‘t produce soft and moist stools because
drinking water per se never reaches the large intestine of a healthy
person. In fact, death from water intoxication would happen faster than
this water reaching the bowels.
More...
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Is it true that regular exercise stimulates
intestinal activity? |
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No, it isn‘t. In fact, you can exercise yourself
senseless and get even more constipated because, among other things,
vigorous physical activity inhibits motility — a fancy term for forward
propulsion of stools inside the large intestine.
More... |
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Is it true that toning up lax muscles helps to
relieve constipation? |
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No, it isn‘t. Actually, stronger pelvic and
abdominal muscles only help you to strain harder, and straining
aggravates constipation and its side effects more than any other single
factor. And that‘s before considering the impact of straining on
hemorrhoids, hernias, diverticular disease, intestinal obstructions,
genitourinary disorders, and other possible complications.
More... |
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Is it true that animal fat causes constipation? |
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No, it isn‘t. In fact, it‘s the complete
opposite: low-fat diets cause constipation while excess fat causes
diarrhea. Anyone who tells you otherwise needs a mental check
considering that vegetable oils have been used as potent laxatives for
millennia. Chemically, flax, olive or castor oils are fat just as much
as lard, tallow, or butter — except they are liquid and easier to
swallow in one large dose.
More... |
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Why do Paleo and Atkins-style diets (i.e.
low-carbohydrates) cause constipation? |
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Fiber is derived from plants (fruits, vegetables,
grains) and plant-based processed foods, such as cereals, breads, and
pasta. Plants and plant-based food happen to be a major source of
carbohydrate in the diet. Thus, any diet that is low in carbohydrates is
also low in fiber, and this leads to a rapid reduction in stool size and
weight.
If a person isn't dependent on fiber to move the
bowels, this reduction of size and weight actually improves regularity
and eases bowel movements. On the other hand, if fiber dependence is
already present — a condition manifested as
latent constipation, — regular bowel movements are disrupted because
the “plunging” effect of the fiber-heavy stools has gone.
In general terms, if you experience constipation after
a sudden reduction of fiber in your diet, it means that you are already
affected by a range of bowel disorders of different severity, such as
disbacteriosis, enlarged internal hemorrhoids, enlarged colon and
rectum, and anorectal nerve damage.
To address fiber dependence, please review this page:
Overcoming Fiber Dependence. |
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What is the best diet for constipation relief? |
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The best diet to prevent constipation is a diet low in
fiber in order to maintain small and light stools, and moderate in fat
in order to stimulate the moving of the bowels. Dietary fat is
the only substance that initiates the action that precedes bowel
movements. You can learn more about the role of fat in the physiology of
the bowel movement on this page:
Why Do Some Foods Cause Constipation?
For the record, I am not endorsing or recommending
high-fat diets along the lines of Dr. Atkins. Just like high-carbs,
high-fat diets contribute to obesity, hypertension, and heart disease
because 95% to 98% of all fats get digested, and fat carries 225%
the energy content of carbohydrates. In addition, practically all processed
vegetable fats are toxic and potentially carcinogenic to humans.
I am also not endorsing or recommending low-fat diets
along the lines of Dr. Ornish. Low fat diets of any kind cause severe
digestive and metabolic disorders, and contribute to cardiovascular
disease, hypertension, depression, cancers, infertility, osteoporosis,
osteoarthritis, periodontal disease, tooth loss, premature aging, and a
host of other degenerative disorders.
I do recommend a diet moderate in animal fat along the lines of
the USDA Daily Recommended Allowances (DRA) of about 1 g of fat per 1 kg of
body weight. This amount should be increased for growing children,
people who are underweight, pregnant women, seniors, while
recovering from a disease, and similar circumstances. I describe the
reasons behind these recommendations on this page:
The Ingredients of
Longevity Nutrition. |
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Why do antibiotics cause constipation?
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Antibiotics are broad-spectrum antibacterial medicines
expressly used to kill pathogenic bacteria throughout the body. With few
exceptions, antibiotics can't differentiate good bacteria from bad, so
all get killed, including the bacteria in the large intestine that give
stools their amorphous properties — slightly formed, light, uniform in
color, soft, and moist.
Once the bacteria population is reduced, or it is
missing altogether, stools become dry and hard (type
1 on BSF scale) because there is nothing left to form them and to
retain moisture. I describe the role of intestinal flora on this
page: Restoring Intestinal Flora.
The pathologies related to missing bacteria — constipation, low
immunity, the deficiency of biotin and vitamin K, mucosal inflammation —
are further exacerbated by medical doctors, particularly in the
United States, who recommend using indigestible fiber in order to bulk
up the stools instead of restoring the population of innate bacteria
killed by antibiotics. |
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Does smoking cause constipation?
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No, not really... Actually, smoking stimulates moving
the bowels because the continuous swallowing of the nicotine-laced
saliva stimulates the gastrocolic reflex — an involuntary condition that
initiates bowel movements.
Also, the smoke itself increases the level of
CO2 in the blood. The ensuing vasodilation (widening) of the blood
vessels helps intestinal peristalsis and amplifies the urge to move the
bowels.
For the same reason smoking reduces the risks of
constipation, smoking cessation is commonly associated with the onset of
chronic constipation — the reduced stimulation diminishes the frequency
and urgency of bowel movements, enlarges stools, and precipitates
costivity, irregularity, straining, and fiber dependence — all of the
hallmarks of latent and organic constipation.
If you are quitting smoking, you should pay particular
attention to the risk of constipation, and it's prevention, but without
getting hooked on fiber and/or laxatives. Study the rest of this site to
proactively identify the type and stage of your constipation in order to
select the best treatment and preventative approach. |
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Why does colonoscopy cause constipation?
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Colonoscopy procedure disrupts natural bowel movements.
The four principal causes are (1) Intestinal flora damage by synthetic
laxatives; (2) complete lavage of the bowels; (3) the side effects
of anesthesia, and (4) stress and anxiety related to cancer screening.
If you are already affected by latent or organic
constipation, resuming normal bowel movements is even more
difficult. You can find a great deal more information on these side
effects of colonoscopy on this page:
Side Effects of Screening
Colonoscopies.
Use all or some of the components of the
Colorectal Recovery Kit to
restore regularity and to prevent further damage. To prevent kidney
damage, severe dehydration, and blood clotting related to traditional
colonoscopy prep as well as to spare intestinal flora from damage,
consider using several repeated applications of
Hydro-C instead of the sodium
phosphate or polyethylene glycol laxatives. |
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Why does surgery cause constipation?
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The obligatory preparation for most surgeries, particularly
abdominal, involves all the same steps and actions as for colonoscopies
— a form of ambulatory surgical procedure.
To understand and appreciate why it takes so long, and
why it is so difficult to resume moving the bowels after these
surgeries, factor in extended bed rest, general weakness, longer and
more intense anesthesia, intense use of pain relievers after the
surgery, and the widespread use of antibiotics to eliminate
post-surgical infection.
The recovery approach for post-surgical constipation is
exactly the same as described above for post-colonoscopy. Obviously, a
high-fiber diet for a person recovering from surgery is akin to pouring
acid on to an open wound. Unfortunately, that is what most doctors
recommend. Not surprisingly, a lot of people survive perfectly-executed
surgeries only to die later on from assorted complications, caused, in
part or whole, by this terrible advice. |
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Why does hot weather cause constipation?
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High temperature, especially when combined with dry
air, causes rapid and insidious loss of body fluids and sodium with
perspiration. To alleviate dehydration, the body removes moisture and
sodium from digestive fluids and stools, turning them dry, hard, and
difficult to move without pain.
Also, when stools become small and dry, you aren't
likely to experience the urge to move the bowels, making an already bad
situation worse. In some instances rapid dehydration may also cause
diarrhea, that will further disrupt normal bowel movements. I explain
the reasons behind this phenomenon
here.
To prevent dehydration, keep yourself well hydrated in
advance by
drinking mineral (hard) water with added salt (1/2 to 1 teaspoon for each
250 ml glass), a solution known as isotonic or slightly hypertonic.
You should also drink it on an empty stomach, otherwise the
water will not reach the intestines quickly enough, and, when in excess,
may cause vomiting. Do not drink too much and too quickly, otherwise you
may stimulate precipitous urination, causing yourself a loss of potassium,
a mineral that is also essential for retaining moisture in stools.
If your stools are already hard and dry, avoid
straining to prevent anorectal tear, abrasion, and ensuing blood loss.
Instead, use Hydro-C Colonic
Moisturizer to break down and dissolve hard stools, and to safely
evacuate them. You may need several repeated applications to 'cleanse
out' the bowels.
If stools remain hard and dry (type
1 on BSF scale) even after you are properly hydrated, it means there
aren't enough bacteria in your gut to retain water in your stools. In this
case review the Restoring Intestinal
Flora page, and use the
Colorectal Recovery Kit to restore intestinal flora. |
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Can constipation cause acne?
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No, not directly. Indirectly, however, constipation is
one of the outcomes of a high-fiber diet that is behind elevated
triglycerides — a high level of fatty acids in the blood. These fatty
acids are formed by the liver from excess blood sugars (glucose,
fructose, and glucose), and are further augmented by vegetable fats from
dressings, fried food, and the like. In turn, blood sugars come from
excess carbohydrates that accompany fiber, usually 5 to 10 times as many
by weight.
Since young people can't yet efficiently deposit
excessive triglycerides into the adipose (fat) tissue, these fats are being
'pushed out' through the sebaceous glands, making the facial skin fat and
dry because excess fat blocks moisture.
When some of the sebaceous glands get clogged by excess
fat, they provide a perfect breeding ground for trapped
bacteria because some bacteria love to devour acidic fats. The ensuing
eruption caused by the byproducts of bacterial fermentation become
'acne.'
So, why, then, do not all teenagers who are constipated
develop acne, and why are not all who have acne constipated? Well, there
are many other factors behind either constipation or acne. A high-fiber
diet is only one commonality among all these factors.
Thus, reducing fiber and carbohydrates consumption may
help to relieve constipation by making stools small, and eliminate acne by
reducing elevated triglycerides. Obviously, you should also pay
attention to all other contributing factors, such as proper skin hygiene in
the case of acne, disbacteriosis in the case of constipation, and so on. |
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What are the causes of constipation during pregnancy?
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The uterus is located in the abdominal cavity along
with tightly packed small and large intestines. As the uterus expands in
size and weight, the outward pressure in all directions compresses the
intestines and the stomach, and this pressure interferes with the
mechanical aspect of gastric digestion (stomach's contraction and
expansion) and the propulsion of chyme (digestive mass) through the
intestines (motility).
Also, because the relentless pressure has a stimulating
effect on the intestines, similar to the gastrocolic reflex, the peripheral
nervous system adapts by suppressing it somewhat, so you end up missing
bowel movements, and making an already bad situation worse.
If you follow the standard medical advice regarding pregnancy-related
constipation, and add more fiber and fluids into the mix, you'll
accomplish the complete opposite effect — a constipation even more
severe. Fiber is well known for causing obstructions in absolutely
healthy adults. Just imagine how easily it can obstruct an already
squeezed intestine during pregnancy. Furthermore, fiber
fermentation will cause even more interference with peristalsis and
motility by causing acidity-related inflammation and ensuing bloating
from trapped gases. In general terms, women who
become constipated during pregnancy have likely been affected by
latent constipation
prior to the pregnancy. Ideally, you should eliminate this condition
before the pregnancy in order to prevent constipation from ruining one
of the life's most beautiful experiences, as well as preventing
colorectal damage from straining and avoiding fetus damage from
malnutrition caused by intestinal inflammation. To eliminate
constipation prior to pregnancy, start here:
No Downsize,
Just Upside-down.
Since most medicinal laxatives are potentially
teratogenic (may negatively affect fetus development), consider using
Hydro-C instead in order to keep
stools small, moist, and easy to pass. Make sure to consult your
doctor before using this or any other supplement, particularly during
the first trimester. |
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Why does constipation cause enlarged internal hemorrhoids?
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Hard stools, either large or small, are the
hallmarks of functional, latent, and organic constipation, and require
straining while moving the bowels. The resulting inward pressure by hard
stools on the hemorrhoidal pads that line the anal canal, and the
outward pressure from the abdominal and pelvic muscles to facilitate
straining cause their enlargement for the same reason shoveling snow or
paddling a boat with unprotected hands cause calluses on your palms.
I describe the sequence of events that precipitate
hard stools and straining on this page:
The Bull's S..t In
the China Shop. Straining itself is the hallmark of latent
(hidden) constipation, and there is only one way to eliminate it — by
normalizing stools. I describe what's 'normal' and what's 'abnormal' on
this page: What Exactly Are Normal Stools? |
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Why does constipation cause anal bleeding?
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For the exact same reasons hard stools cause
enlarged internal hemorrhoids, they may also tear apart the delicate
tissue that lines the rectum and anal canal. The resulting abrasions,
fissures, ulcers, and fistulas may bleed when aggravated by straining.
To eliminate bleeding and heal wounds, follow all of the recommendations
below.
Hydro-C is
particularly effective for this purposes because it is safe for extended
use, doesn't cause additional irritation, and non-addictive. You should
also eliminate all traces of fiber because fermentation increases the
acidity of stools, and, in turn, it prevents the healing.
Since constipation and disbacteriosis are concomitant conditions, it may
also mean that you may be short on vitamin K — a blood coagulation
factor — that is produced almost exclusively in vivo by intestinal
bacteria. So, make sure to eliminate this condition as well by using
Colorectal Recovery Kit.
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Why does constipation cause bloating and flatulence?
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Bloating and flatulence are related to two
concomitant conditions — intestinal inflammation and fermentation of
indigestible fiber by intestinal bacteria. Since constipation leads to a
considerable accumulation of stools inside the large intestine, and,
sometimes, even in the small intestine, bacteria has an infinite amount
of undigested fiber to ferment on, and produce copious gases and
elevated acidity — the primary factor behind ensuing inflammation. In
turn, inflammation blocks the absorption of gases into the bloodstream
for evacuation through gas exchange in the lungs. These trapped gases
cause flatulence and cramps and the gases that gradually escape, cause
flatulence.
If you are affected by bloating and flatulence even
without an apparent constipation (i.e. not moving the bowels for more
than three days), you may be affected by latent constipation— an
abnormal accumulation of stools, even though your bowel movements are
regular. I describe this condition at greater length
here. There you'll also
find treatment recommendations.
Obviously, the worst approach to bloating and
flatulence — constipation or not — is following the standard medical
advice to consume more fiber, that is the equivalent to pouring a
starter fluid over burning coals. When the situation becomes unbearable,
instead of removing fiber, doctors commonly prescribe antibiotics to
wipe out any innate bacteria — an approach similar to treating migraine
by butting you head against the wall until you drop down unconscious: no
consciousness — no headache! |
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Why does constipation cause chronic fatigue?
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In general terms, constipation is the tip of the
iceberg in a long chain of digestive disorders, particularly
malnutrition caused by fiber. If you doubt fiber's ability to cause
malnutrition, ask yourself this question: Why do fiber supplements
assist in weight loss?
The answer: by blocking the absorption of fats, of
course. Alas, by blocking the absorption of fats, you also block the
absorption of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K, and minerals, such as
calcium and magnesium because they depend on these vitamins for their
own assimilation. A deficiency of these minerals, in turn, causes
circulation and muscle tissue problems that are partially behind chronic
fatigue syndrome.
Here is another example: the fermentation of fiber
and the rotting of undigested proteins produce toxic substances, such
as methanol and cadaverine, that get assimilated into the blood, and
cause severe fatigue. You should also investigate
other malnutrition-related causes, such as non-iron dependent anemia,
metabolic disorders, and thyroid dysfunction that are also connected to fat
malabsorption. These are just three examples.
Eliminating fiber and constipation may help a great deal, and your
doctor may help you to diagnose and eliminate other problems, such as
chronic infections, cardiovascular diseases, hypoglycemia, side effects
of medicines, and numerous others. |
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Can constipation reduce my immunity?
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Yes, absolutely. The intestinal flora is responsible
for maintaining the non-specific primary immune response, or
phagocytosis — a major function of the immune system used to remove cell
debris, viruses, bacteria, and cancerous cells. Since constipation is
commonly associated with missing or damaged bacteria, you can pretty
much add ‘one and one‘ to realize the impact of constipation on your
immune system.
If you read most of this page, you must also realize
that chronic constipation is also behind the toxins related to
fermentation of carbohydrates, the rotting of proteins, and the inflammation of the bowels in
different degrees of severity. Naturally, all three conditions depress and
'subdue' an already weakened immunity, leaving you more exposed to other
pathogens.
Eliminating disbacteriosis kills, figuratively
speaking, a bunch of birds in one shot: protects the mucosal membrane of
the large intestine from various pathogens, including cancer-causing;
normalizes stools and relieves constipation, recharges primary immunity,
resumes the synthesis of several essential vitamins, and eliminates the
dependence on fiber to move the bowels
You can learn more about the
functions of intestinal flora on this page:
Restoring Intestinal Flora. |
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Can constipation cause bad mouth odor?
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Yes, it can, but not in the ways you may think it does
because there is a significant disconnect between the foul smell of
stools and mouth odor.
In general, bad mouth odor, or halitosis, is caused by
dental caries, periodontal disease, and sulfur-producing bacteria in the
oral cavity. So, you must concentrate first on taking care of these
conditions.
Here is where the connection takes place... Intestinal
bacteria synthesize vitamin K, which is responsible for blood
coagulation. When the said bacteria are missing, you are likely to
experience gum bleeding, gingivitis, and periodontal disease — the three
conditions that precipitate inflammatory diseases affecting the tissues
that surround and support the teeth, or periodontium.
As gingivitis progresses, subgingival (under the gum)
bacteria colonize the inflamed periodontal pockets and cause the
progressive bone loss that is behind tooth loss in the long term, while
the byproducts of bacterial action cause the foul odor.
You can treat periodontal disease all you want, but it will not entirely
go away until your restored intestinal flora start producing
vitamin K again to enable blood coagulation and healing.
This is, of course, only one aspect of preventing
periodontal disease, tooth loss, and halitosis. But, still, it is a big
one, and here is your indirect connection to bad mouth odor. |
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Is it true that old stools can cause “encrustation” of the large
intestine‘s walls? |
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No, they can't, unless you are reading a deceptive
advert for a 'colon cleanser' or 'colonic therapy.' It is pointless to
enter into a debate with quacks and charlatans behind this gimmick,
except to point out that you can't bind a 'crust' to the mucosal
membrane inside the colon for the same reason that food can't form a
crust inside your mouth. |
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What is the connection between constipation and appendicitis?
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“Appendicitis is the sudden swelling
and inflammation of the appendix. It generally follows the
obstruction of the appendix by undigested food
or a large
accumulation of hardened stools (fecal impaction).”
(Fiber Menace, page 32).
The accumulation of hardened stools in the cecum (blind
gut, the location of the appendix) is one of the outcomes of
latent constipation.
In healthy adults the contents of the cecum are liquid or
semi-liquid, but never solidified. |
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What is the connection between constipation and
colorectal cancer? |
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Quite direct: Large and heavy stools cause polyposis
and flat lesions throughout the entire length of the colon. Some polyps
and lesions turn cancerous, particularly in people with reduced
immunity, also precipitated by constipation.
I address this connection at length on this page —
Colorectal Cancer Prevention
Guide: Step 1. Normalize Abnormal Stools. |
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Q. Why doctors aren‘t recommending a
recovery protocol similar to your Colorectal Recovery Program? |
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Actually, many do, particularly in countries which
provide universal health care, such as Germany or Russia. Bacterial
therapy is the most common treatment approach there for functional
colorectal disorders discussed on this page.
Unfortunately, not so in the United States. In cases of
colorectal complaints, the U.S.-based doctors invariably are looking for
ulcers, polyps, inflammation, bleeding, enlarged hemorrhoids, and so on.
When these late stage pathologies aren‘t found (as is usually the case),
the patients‘ conditions are considered idiopathic (of unknown origins)
or psychosomatic (“in your crazy mind”).
This, of course, wouldn‘t happen if physicians
examined stools and checked the status of intestinal flora — the two
major determinants of colorectal health. But beyond the perfunctory,
fecal occult blood check, physicians in the U.S. (1) rarely examine actual
stools; (2) intestinal flora isn‘t considered essential, and (3) disbacteriosis isn‘t recognized as a bona fide disorder.
More... |
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Q. What are the most common side-effects
of traditional laxatives? |
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Please review the following links to get a
complete picture:
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Agents Used To Treat Constipation (The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and
Therapy);
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Loosening up hard stools
(Overcoming Fiber Dependence)';
— To avoid side effects and to improve the outcomes
of treating constipation, I recommend using Hydro-C Colonic Moisturizer.
The following table enumerates its safety vis-à-vis other methods:
Hydro-C Safety vs.
Common Laxatives |
As you can
see from perusing all of the above questions, the content of your toilet bowl predicts your future with
more certainty than a crystal ball. With that in mind, read up, look
down, and stay well! Constipation is
constipation... What's the point in knowing all this?
Even though the end results of constipation are all the
same — painful hemorrhoids, suffering from bloating and flatulence,
bleeding from anal fissures, severe cramping before and during a
period, or emergency surgery for appendicitis or diverticulitis, there
are gender, age, diet, stage, and lifestyle differences that make each
particular case of constipation different from another one.
These distinctions are important for the following
reasons:
— Anticipation and prevention. If, for
example, you know that you have a propensity for getting costive while
travelling, now you know how to avoid ruining your trip.
— Treatment tailored to age, gender, health,
and diet. A high-fiber diet in young adults may, indeed, produce
quick and lasting constipation relief because they still have supple and
undamaged bowels. The exact same diet in young children or older adults
will produce a complete wreck because the expansion of the fiber
overpowers the tiny bowels of children, and the worn out bowels of
seniors.
— Recognition of underlying causes to
implement a meaningful and working prevention. Sure, you can use Hydro-C
to find quick relief, but for as long as the underlying causes of
constipation are left in place — high fiber diet, the suppression of
bowel movements, straining, disbacteriosis, or mineral deficiency —
you'll still be dependent on some kind of palliative to move the bowels,
and the damage will continue to accrue.
— Gender-specific differences. Women
should pay much more attention to constipation than men because of the
particulars of the respective anatomy, plus periods, pregnancy,
delivery, and lactation place an additional toll on the female digestive
system. If you don't account for these differences, a 'one-size-fits'
all treatment isn't likely going to help.
— Age-related difference. As people get
older, the digestive organs undergo a substantial transformation,
particularly on a high-fiber diet. Constipation relief isn't possible
without accounting for this transformation, particularly in terms of
expectations of 'normality.' For example, while it is abnormal for a 25
year old to move the bowels less than once or twice a day, it may be
absolutely normal for a healthy senior because his/her intestinal
peristalsis isn't as efficient as that of a young man/woman.
— Recognition of the psychosomatic factors
that influence the etiology of constipation. Finally, psychology plays a
huge role in constipation because the very last act of moving the bowels
— letting it go — can be controlled and... suppressed at will. Sure, the
ability to withhold moving the bowels is an absolutely essential trait
for city dwellers, but, unfortunately, taken too far, it is behind many
cases of chronic constipation.
If you ignore all of the above factors, circumstances,
and considerations, and treat all kinds of constipation with a
one-size-fits all approach, such as “don't worry, eat more fiber, drink
more water, and exercise the abdominal muscles,” you aren't only
destined to fail, but will also turn a temporary (functional) and
reversible condition into a permanent (organic) and irreversible one.
Fortunately, now you have at your disposal this
phenomenal resource that will help you to turn any kind of constipation
from an obnoxious 'phenomenon' to a 'non-event.' Regretfully, I can't
add in that it takes 'no-time' because, alas, it does take time!
Wishing you and yours happy and easy BM‘s!
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