Knowledge Base

CONSTIPATION

by Dr Vaid Ji on Oct 30, 2023

CONSTIPATION

Definition:

Constipation is typically defined as having fewer than three bowel movements in a week or experiencing stools that are hard, dry, and difficult to pass. It can lead to discomfort and the feeling of incomplete evacuation.

Causes:

Several factors can contribute to constipation, including:

  • Diet: A diet low in fiber and fluids can result in hard, dry stools that are challenging to pass.
  • Lifestyle: Lack of physical activity and ignoring the urge to have a bowel movement can lead to constipation.
  • Medications: Some medications, such as certain painkillers, antacids, and antidepressants, can cause constipation as a side effect.
  • Medical Conditions: Various medical conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), hypothyroidism, and diabetes, can be associated with constipation.

Symptoms:

Common symptoms of constipation include:

  • Infrequent bowel movements (fewer than three per week)
  • Difficulty passing stool
  • Hard, dry, or lumpy stools
  • Abdominal discomfort or bloating
  • A sense of incomplete evacuation after a bowel movement

Risk Factors:

Several risk factors increase the likelihood of developing constipation, including:

  • Age: Older adults are more susceptible to constipation.
  • Gender: Women tend to be affected more frequently than men.
  • Diet: A diet low in fiber and fluids.
  • Sedentary Lifestyle: Lack of physical activity.
  • Medications: Some drugs can cause constipation as a side effect.
  • Medical Conditions: Certain health conditions can contribute to chronic constipation

MANAGEMENT OF CONSTIPATION ACCORDING TO AYURVEDA-

Ayurveda offers a holistic approach to managing constipation, often referred to as "Vibandha" in Ayurvedic terms. It focuses on balancing the doshas, improving digestion, and promoting regular and healthy bowel movements. Here are some Ayurvedic remedies and lifestyle practices for managing constipation:

  • Dietary Adjustments:
  • Fiber-rich Foods: Include plenty of fiber in your diet through whole grains, fresh fruits, and vegetables. Foods like flaxseeds, psylliums husk (Isabgol), and prunes are especially helpful for promoting regular bowel movements.
  • Fruits: Consume ripe fruits, particularly figs, guava, and papaya, which are known to have natural laxative properties.
  • Herbal Teas: Consider drinking herbal teas like licorice root, ginger, or triphala tea, which can aid digestion and relieve constipation.
  • Hydration: Drink warm or room temperature water throughout the day to keep the digestive system functioning optimally. Warm water, in particular, can help soften the stool.
  • Lifestyle Practices:
  • Regular Meal Times: Eat meals at the same time every day to help regulate your body's internal clock and promote regular bowel movements.
  • Adequate Chewing: Chew your food thoroughly as it aids digestion and reduces the risk of constipation.
  • Physical Activity: Engage in regular physical activity, as exercise can stimulate the digestive system and improve bowel regularity.
  • Herbal Remedies:
  • Triphala: This traditional Ayurvedic formula, composed of three fruits (amalaki, bibhitaki, and haritaki), is often used to promote regular and healthy bowel movements. It is available in various forms, including powder, capsules, and tablets.
  • Aloe Vera: Aloe Vera juice or gel is known for its mild laxative properties and can help relieve constipation.
  • Abhyanga :
  • Abhyanga, or self-massage with warm sesame oil, can help stimulate digestion and promote regular bowel movements.
  • Panchakarma:

Some individuals with chronic constipation may benefit from specific Panchakarma therapies, such as Basti (medicated enema) or Virechana (therapeutic purgation).

MANAGEMENT ACCORDING TO CHANDIGARH AYURVED CENTER-

All Products Description in Detail

Recommended Dosage: Take 1 tablet twice daily with normal water.

1. Detox Standard Powder
These herbal sachets are prepared from ingredients such as Shankh bhasma, Sutshekhar ras, Parwal pishti, Shukta pishti, Giloy, Kamdudha ras, Shwet parpati that gives calming effect on the stomach. These sachets have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antacid like properties. It mainly affects in lowering the pitta dosha of the body and maintains proper digestion of the body.
Recommended Dosage: Take one sachet twice daily with normal water.

2. Puran Pachak
Puran Pachak is a herbo-mineral Syrup of 200 ml and is Purely Ayurvedic formulation. CAC Puran Pachak syrup helps in Digestion, Supports the Digestive system, and Maintains the doshas in our body. It also helps to remove out impurities or ama from the body. This syrup reduce the Acidity, Detoxify the blood and also Supports the body health. It shows Antacid, Digestive, Anti-inflammatory, Analgesic, Expectorant, and Antioxidant properties. This syrup is made up of pure ayurvedic herbs such as Mulethi, Saunf, Vasakha, Ajwayan, Prpati etc. that helps to maintain the Digestive system and in the body.
Recommended Dosage: Take 2 teaspoonful twice daily.

3. Panchsakar Churna:
This is a classical herbal churna prepared from ingredients such as Saindhavan Lavana (Rock Salt), Swarnapatri (Cassia angustifolia), Shatapushpa (Anethum sowa), Shunti (Zingiber officinale), Balaharitaki (Terminalia chebula). These all in combination deal with problems like loss of appetite, abdominal pain, bloating, flatulence, constipation, weak digestion, etc
Recommended Dosage: Take a half teaspoon of this churna twice daily with normal water.

4. Kutaj Ghan Vati
Kutaj Ghan vati is purely herbal formulation. It is very useful in curing diarrhea, intestinal infection, and dysentery. These herbal tablets deal with all signs & symptoms related to diarrhea patients. Kutaj ghan vati contains ingredients like Kutaj (Holarrhena antidysenterica), Ativisha (Aconitum heterophyllum) that manage the symptoms like abdominal pain, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, loose stools, general weakness, fatigue, etc. The herbs in these tablets show antioxidant, anti-diarrheal, anti-inflammatory, etc properties.
Recommended Dosage: Take two tablets twice a day before meal with water.

5. Sheet Dhara Syrup
This herbal syrup is prepared from ingredients such as ajwain satav, mushak kapoor, peppermint, etc that naturally relieve the symptoms like bloating, blenching, nausea, vomiting, feeling of discomfort, etc. The regular use of this herbal syrup neutralizes the high acid content, reduces
abdominal pain, & cramps.
Recommended dosage: Take half teaspoonful of this syrup in half a cup of water. Drink this mixture twice daily on an empty stomach.

6. Digestion care tablet
This tablet is unique blend of best digestive herbs like kutaz chal, bilav, dhania, mustak, shankh bhasm, piper mint, and dadima that maintain natural Ph balance in the stomach and aid digestion of all types of food. The herbs present in this control acidity, gas, flatulence, and constipation. These complex problems are the root cause of all diseases. If the digestive system is proper it leads to proper assimilation of the nutrients in the body. As per Ayurveda digestive disorders are due to the imbalance of Pitta doshas. Ama formation leads to digestive disorders.
Dosage: Take 1 tablet twice daily with plain water