Specific Health Concern >> Constipation
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In this video, Dr. Huntoon discusses digestive issues that effect your overall health and rob you of life. Constipation is no different.
If you are not moving your bowels equal to the number of times you eat in a day, then you would benefit from learning the truth about digestive health and what is normal.
Constipation is a precursor to other serious health concerns. Call us today!
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Constipation
Irregularity of bowels; Lack of regular bowel movements
Constipation is most often defined as having a bowel movement less than 3 times per week. It usually is associated with hard stools or difficulty passing stools. You may have pain while passing stools or may be unable to have a bowel movement after straining or pushing for more than 10 minutes.
Normal vs. Symptoms
What Is Normal?
Normal bowel movements are different for each person. You may or may not have a bowel movement every day. This should warn you that you probably have some degree of Dysbiosis and are experiencing the Digestive System Disruptors regularly. Although some healthy people always have soft or near-runny stools, others have firm stools but have no trouble passing them.
Ideal and Healthy Bowel Movements occur within 20 to 24 hours after eating. Depending on the number of times you eat, this will reflect in the number of bowel movements you may have within the 20 - 24-hour time frame. So if you have a healthy breakfast at 8 am in the morning, you should expect to have a bowel movement related to that meal at roughly 8 am the following morning. Eat lunch at 12 pm, expect a bowel movement at noon the following day. Same with dinner. If you do not have a bowel movement related to every time you eat, in that time frame, you have a Transit Time Issue and should talk to your Holistic Chiropractor.
When you rarely have a bowel movement, or it takes a lot of effort to pass stool, you have constipation. Passing large, wide, or hard stools may tear the anus, especially in children. This can cause bleeding and may lead to an anal fissure. You need to be aware of your child's bowel schedule and seek help if it seems to be an issue. Ignoring the problem will only set your child up for chronic health concerns as they get older.
Causes
What Is Normal?
Normal bowel movements are different for each person. You may or may not have a bowel movement every day. This should warn you that you probably have some degree of Dysbiosis and are experiencing the Digestive System Disruptors regularly. Although some healthy people always have soft or near-runny stools, others have firm stools but have no trouble passing them.
Ideal and Healthy Bowel Movements occur within 20 to 24 hours after eating. Depending on the number of times you eat, this will reflect in the number of bowel movements you may have within the 20 - 24-hour time frame. So if you have a healthy breakfast at 8 am in the morning, you should expect to have a bowel movement related to that meal at roughly 8 am the following morning. Eat lunch at 12 pm, expect a bowel movement at noon the following day. Same with dinner. If you do not have a bowel movement related to every time you eat, in that time frame, you have a Transit Time Issue and should talk to your Holistic Chiropractor.
When you rarely have a bowel movement, or it takes a lot of effort to pass stool, you have constipation. Passing large, wide, or hard stools may tear the anus, especially in children. This can cause bleeding and may lead to an anal fissure. You need to be aware of your child's bowel schedule and seek help if it seems to be an issue. Ignoring the problem will only set your child up for chronic health concerns as they get older.
Traditional Medical Treatment Options and Diagnosis
What to expect at your Medical provider's office
Your doctor will perform a physical examination, which may include a rectal exam, and will ask questions such as:
- How long have you had constipation?
- How many days do you go between two bowel movements?
- Is constipation worse when you are stressed?
- What is the color, shape, and consistency of your stools?
- Is there any bleeding with bowel movements?
- Do you have any abdominal pain?
- What surgeries or injuries have you had?
- What medications do you take?
- Do you drink coffee or alcohol? Do you smoke?
- What other symptoms do you have?
In addition to these questions, the following tests may be used to help diagnose the cause of constipation:
- Anorectal manometry (pressure measurements of the anus and rectum)
- Barium enema
- Complete blood count (CBC)
- Colonoscopy
- Proctosigmoidoscopy (an examination of the lower bowel)
- Stool studies
- Upper GI series
- X-rays of the abdomen
Medicines Two Choices for You
Dr. Huntoon's Alternative Medical Treatment Options
Alternative Care: Consider this FIRST
Dr. Huntoon has lots of experience helping people solve their constipation. Helping to address the underlying CAUSAL components, physically, mentally, emotionally, allergy-wise, toxicity-wise, nutritionally and physiologically, results in restoring normal bowel function. Emotional Holding is always associated with Constipation. Using NeuroEmotional Technique (NET) is quite effective at resolving the Emotional Holding. Having done this quite successfully for over 27 years, your would do your self a great service to Consult with Dr. Huntoon to eliminate this uncomfortable condition.
An alternative to the medical route is to work with a Holistic Chiropractor who has experience in dealing with constipation. Discussing what is involved, understanding expectations and the time commitment is important. Getting the understanding through proper evaluation of your Transit Time and what is your microbiome doing (is it balanced or out of balance due to antibiotic exposure) would be important information to know. Then developing a well-planned and logical solution to restoring balance is warranted.
Many have benefited from working with Acupuncture, Homeopathy and Naturopathy.
What to Discuss with Your Doctor
Call your doctor immediately if you have sudden constipation with abdominal cramps and you cannot pass gas or stool.
Do NOT take ANY laxatives.
Also Call Your Doctor If You Have:
- Been using laxatives for several weeks or self care is not working
- Blood in your stool
- Constipation alternating with diarrhea
- Rectal pain
- Sharp or severe abdominal pain, especially if you also have bloating
- Thin, pencil-like stools
- Unexplained weight loss
Call Your Child's Pediatrician Right Away If:
- An infant (except those who are only breastfed) goes 3 days without a stool and is vomiting or irritable
Also Call Your Child's Pediatrician If:
- An infant younger than 2 months is constipated
- Non-breastfeeding infants go 3 days without having a bowel movement (call immediately if there is vomiting or irritability)
- A child is holding back bowel movements to resist toilet training
Prevention and Quick Tips
Prevention
Avoiding constipation is easier than treating it, but often involves the same lifestyle measures. Adults who experience constipation are usually deficient in probiotics, the friendly bacteria that assist with digestion. By taking a probiotic with every meal you can aid digestion. They should also consider the Digestive System Disruptors as an underlying cause of constipation.
Children and adults should get enough fiber in their diet. Vegetables, fresh fruits, dried fruits, and whole wheat, bran, or oatmeal cereals are excellent sources of fiber. To reap the full benefits of fiber, drink plenty of fluids to help pass the stool. At least 64oz of water a day is recommended.
Finally, seek the care of a Holistic Chiropractor who has experience with constipation and follow their advice. This will keep you from dealing with constipation in the future.
Regular exercise may also help establish regular bowel movements. If you are confined to a wheelchair or bed, change position often. Also, do abdominal exercises and leg raises. A physical therapist can recommend exercises that you can do. Start an exercise routine and stick with it.
Stool softeners (such as those containing docusate sodium) may help. Bulk laxatives such as psyllium may help add fluid and bulk to the stool. Suppositories or gentle laxatives, such as milk of magnesia liquid, may help you have regular bowel movements.
Enemas or stimulant laxatives should only be used in severe cases. These methods should be used only if fiber, fluids, and stool softeners do not provide enough relief.
Do NOT give laxatives or enemas to children without first asking your doctor.
For Infants With Constipation:
Over 2 months old -- try 2 - 4 ounces of fruit juice (grape, pear, apple, cherry, or prune) twice a day.
Over 4 months old -- if the baby has begun solid foods, try baby foods with a high-fiber content (peas, beans, apricots, prunes, peaches, pears, plums, spinach) twice a day.
