Constipation

The difficulty in expelling waste matter or stools from the body through the gastrointestinal tract is generally called constipation.

The stool is eliminated from the body through peristaltic or muscular contractions of the large intestine, commonly called bowel movements. The number of times bowel movements occur varies from person to person.

In some people it may happen two to three times a day, while in others it may happen three times in a week. In a case of constipation, the frequency of bowel movement is extremely low.

Constipation is not a disease but a symptom of unregulated gastrointestinal functioning. It is usually a temporary ailment, and not a serious disease.

The stomach and the intestines together form the gastrointestinal tract. During constipation the stool is dry and hard, and therefore becomes difficult to eliminate. As a result, the patient feels as if his bowels are bloated and full.

A person suffering from constipation often feels pain during bowel movements, and has to strain to expel the stool from the body. When the bowels are not emptied, they may also strain the urinary bladder.

In severe cases, constipation may result in the absence of bowel movement for weeks. As a result the stool can become dense and hard, and cause acute discomfort to the patient.

Constipation affects one in ten Americans

Constipation affects one out of ten people across the world. Over four million Americans suffer from frequent episodes of constipation, requiring more than two and a half million visits to physicians annually.

Constipation affects mostly women and adults over 65 years of age. It is reported to be a common problem during pregnancy, after childbirth and surgery.

The most common medical aids for constipation are laxatives. Close to a billion dollars in America, and more than 10 times as much all over the world, are spent on laxatives every year.