The Haven
Healing Centre
The Orchard
Draycott Rd, Cheddar
Somerset
The Haven |
|
| Natural Complementary Therapies - your key to improved health and well-being | |
|
Home About Contact Gift Solutions Articles Treatments Products Page: 1 2 3 4 5 Appointments |
Constipation and Diarrhoea -Self Help TreatmentA Major Treatment Breakthrough for Constipation Sufferers!Try this for yourself; a new natural therapy to relieve constipation, diarrhoea and IBS. Simple to learn, and effective in treating your constipation and diarrhoea symptoms. The completely natural treatment to remedy constipation and to relieve painful symptoms. No tablets, no powders, no chemicals, no laxatives. Constipation is a condition of the digestive system in which a person experiences the build up of hard faeces that is difficult to expel. This usually happens because the colon absorbs too much water from the food you eat. If the food moves through the gastro-intestinal tract too slowly, the colon may absorb too much water, resulting in matter that is dry and hard. Defecation may be extremely painful, and in severe cases, such as faecal impaction, can lead to symptoms of bowel obstruction. The term obstipation is used for severe constipation that prevents passage of both stools and gas. 
Causes of constipation may be dietary, hormonal, anatomical, a side effect of medications (e.g. some opiates), or an illness or disorder. Normal medical practice and treatment consists of changes in dietary and exercise habits, the use of laxatives, and other medical interventions depending on the underlying cause.For most people these will work, without side effects, and life can quickly return to normal. The problem comes when the constipation returns, again, and again, without warning and for no apparent reason. There is a reason, of course; it's just a question of finding it. Most of the time, when I look at the prior medical history of people who visit The Haven Healing Centre for this problem, there seems to be to much reliance on these prescriptions, medications and over-the-counter remedies. The body has built up a tolerance for them and has gotten to the point where it can't do without them. What are the signs and symptoms of constipation? In common constipation, the stool is hard, difficult, and painful to pass. Usually, there is an infrequent urge to void. Straining to pass stool may cause haemorrhoids over time. In later stages of constipation, the abdomen may become distended and diffusely tender and cramp, occasionally with enhanced bowel sounds, known as stomach growling, or rumbling. The definition of constipation includes the following: 1) Infrequent bowel movements (typically three times or fewer per week) 2) Difficulty during defecation (straining during more than 25% of bowel movements or a subjective sensation of hard stools), or 3) The sensation of incomplete bowel evacuation 
Severe cases ("fecal impaction") may feature symptoms of bowel obstruction (vomiting, very tender abdomen) and "paradoxical diarrhoea", where soft stool from the small intestine bypasses the impacted matter in the colon.Why is constipation so prevalent? I think really, it has a lot to do with people being embarassed to get help. Nobody wants to go to the doctor to talk about their bowel movements, and so it tends to get left to chance. Nevertheless, Dept. of Health figures for 2001 show that twelve million general practitioner prescriptions were written for laxatives in England in that year. I also think some of the brightly packaged rubbish served up to us as food plays a large part in upsetting our stomachs and compromising our digestion. At what point should I go see my doctor? • If you discover blood in your stools • If you have severe abdominal pain • If you notice unintentional weight loss • When you have co-existing diarrhoea • If your symptoms are persistent • If you suffer with tenesmus (continuous feeling of the need to defecate without production of significant amounts of faeces) • If your previously prescribed medication has failed • Anytime you're not sure about what to do How is constipation diagnosed? The diagnosis is essentially made from the patient's description of the symptoms. Bowel movements that are difficult to pass, very firm, or made up of small rabbit-like pellets qualify as constipation, even if they occur every day. Other symptoms related to constipation can include bloating, distension, abdominal pain, or a sense of incomplete emptying. Inquiring about dietary habits may reveal a low intake of dietary fibre or inadequate amounts of fluids. Constipation as a result of poor ambulation or immobility should be considered in the elderly, or the less able. Constipation may arise as a side effect of medications, including antidepressants and opiates, which can slow the movement of food through the intestines. During physical examination, scybala (manually palpable lumps of stool) may be detected on palpation of the abdomen. Rectal examination gives an impression of the anal sphincter tone and whether the lower rectum contains any feces or not; if so, then suppositories or enemas may be considered. Otherwise, oral medication may be required. Rectal examination also gives information on the consistency of the stool, presence of hemorrhoids, admixture of blood and whether any tumors or abnormalities are present. Chronic constipation (symptoms present for more than 3 months at least 3 days per month) associated with abdominal discomfort is often diagnosed as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) when no obvious cause is found. Physicians caring for patients with chronic constipation are advised to rule out obvious causes through normal testing. What are the main causes of constipation? • Hardening of the faeces • Insufficient intake of dietary fibre • Dehydration from any cause or inadequate fluid intake • Medication, e.g. diuretics and those containing iron, calcium, aluminum • Paralysis or slowed transit, where peristaltic action is diminished or absent, so that faeces are not moved along 
• Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland)• Hypokalemia • Injured anal sphincter (patulous anus) • Medications, such as loperamide, opioids (e.g. codeine & morphine) and certain tricyclic antidepressants • Severe illness due to other causes • Lead poisoning • Dyschezia (usually the result of suppressing defecation) • Diverticula (Diverticulitis) • Tumors, either of the bowel or surrounding tissues • Obstructed defecation, due to: megarectum, rectal prolapse, rectocele, and enterocele • Functional causes from neurological disorders and dysfunction of the pelvic floor muscles or anorectal muscles • Hirschsprung's disease • Retained foreign body or a bezoar • Psychosomatic constipation, based on anxiety or unfamiliarity with surroundings • Functional constipation • Constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome, characterized by a combination of constipation and abdominal discomfort and/or pain • Smoking cessation (nicotine has a laxative effect) • Abdominal surgery, other types of surgery, childbirth • Severe dehydration • Lack of exercise • Undue and persistent stress What are the main treatments for constipation? In people without medical problems, the main intervention is to increase the intake of fluids (preferably water) and dietary fibre. The latter may be achieved by consuming more vegetables and fruit and whole meal bread, and pulses such as baked beans and chick peas and by adding linseeds to one's diet. The routine non-medical use of laxatives is to be discouraged as this may result in bowel action becoming dependent upon their use. Enemas can be used to provide a form of mechanical stimulation. However, enemas are generally useful only for stool in the rectum, not in the intestinal tract. Among the other safe remedies, fibre supplements, lactitiol, sorbitol, milk of magnesia, lubricants etc. may be of value. What's wrong with just taking laxatives whenever I need to go? Laxatives should be used with caution and only as necessary. The following sequence of laxative use is recommended: bulk forming, then stool softeners, then osmotic, then stimulants, then suppositories, and finally enemas (only as a last resort). However, laxatives build up a tolerance in the stomach and force movement through the stomach, intestines and colon. Regular use will result in the need to take more and more to produce the same result. Laxatives don't just affect the stool, they speed up movement of food through the whole digestive system, which means food is not digested for the required time to be of use to the body. There is a headlong rush of material toward the colon, and muscles that normally produce the peristaltic movement through the system have nothing to do. Eventually, these muscles become weak and atrophy through lack of use and ultimately, you will not be able to go to the toilet without taking laxitives. Laxatives may be necessary in people in whom dietary or other interventions are not effective or are inappropriate. The reason for this cautious use is because laxatives can lead to dependence, and like all medications they have side effects. Laxatives should not be used if there are signs and/or symptoms of a bowel obstruction. When is physical intervention appropriate for constipation? 
Constipation that resists all the above measures requires physical intervention. Manual dissimpaction (the physical removal of impacted stool) is done for those patients who have lost control of their bowels secondary to spinal injuries. Manual dissimpaction is also used by physicians and nurses to relieve rectal impactions. Finally, manual dissimpaction can occasionally be done under sedation or a general anesthetic — this avoids pain and loosens the anal sphincter.How can I prevent constipation? Constipation is usually easier to prevent than to treat. The relief of constipation with osmotic agents, i.e. lactulose, polyethylene glycol (PEG), or magnesium salts, should immediately be followed with prevention using increased fibre (fruits, vegetables, and grains) and a goodly rise in fluid intake, preferably water. There may be some benefits from taking regular exercise, as constipation is noted more frequently in the sedentary. What's this new treatment you're talking about and who should come? I have developed this new massage treatment over several years with patients who have tried everything else and have nowhere else to turn. Patients who have tried sitting, straining, flushing, laxatives, senna, herbal teas, fibre gels, and on and on and on, going round in circles, some things working for a while and then not. Basically, if you've tried all the above and you're still in trouble, call me (01934 740275) and let me show you my approach. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. FAQ: One question I am often asked is; Does it matter how long I've been like this? I've had constipation on and off for 30 years and can hardly imagine life without it now. The answer is, NO! It matters not how long you've had this condition. The aim is to get you going and to train your body to keep going regularly. Sometimes patients tell me they don't go more than once a week. Within 1 or 2 treatments, they are able to go naturally twice a week. With more treatments, we retrain the body to produce the proper elimination response, so that they are able to go naturally every 3 days, every 2 days and then every day. It's at that point, your skin clears up, that horrible itching under the skin goes away, you don't feel so bloated. Up until now, the toxins that aren't being eliminated are going back into the blood and around the body. The toxic build up can't be eliminated. That's why you are likely in pain, exhausted, have strong and frequent headaches and other symptoms. My final message to you is this: If you are worried that your constipation is getting worse, or if your constipation, diarrhoea or IBS has become chronic, then the sooner you do something about it, the better. Constipation is not just a sign of ill-health, it produces more ill-health and early treatment is recommended. Don't wait! The sooner we start treatments, the sooner you are likely to see improvement in your condition. If you live in any of the towns and villages on the left of this article, you are well within a 2-40 minute drive of The Haven Healing Centre, and I'd be delighted to show you how to treat yourself for this condition. Please call Phil Chave on 01934 740275 to make your appointment or to talk about a treatment plan structured around your needs. Don't wait. Make your appointment today. You'll be glad you did! But Phil, I live miles from The Haven Centre - There's no way I can get to you on a regular basis. Is there anything you can do to help me? Don't worry if you live a long way away, I have arranged a solution. Please visit what to do if you live miles from The Haven Centre to find a possible solution that fits in with your plans for recovery. Hardly a week goes by without the phone ringing, or an email arriving, from someone deperate for help from the pain and misery of constipation, diarrhoea or IBS. The options for treatment appear to be solely served by meds or laxatives. Don't worry if you live so far away it's impossible for you to come here regularly. My plan is for you to fly or drive here only once and take away the means to continue with your own recovery, on your own, or with a partner. Find out about this by clicking here. Let's make the constipation treatment plan work for you! Please share this page with your friends. Thank you.
Note: DISCLAIMER: This information is not presented by a medical practitioner and is for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read. It's a small investment in yourself, but could be a life-changing experience you will cherish forever. |
| Copyright © Philip Chave 2008- TheHavenHealingCentre.co.uk All rights reserved. Email: privacy |