Constipation and Laxatives

Constipation would be a very common condition that we  experience. Bowel movements becomes difficult and it is usually associated with hardened faeces. This is mostly a symptom rather than a disease. There are many reasons for constipation. Also, laxatives are not the right approach in most contraptions! 

​Constipation is a boon of faulty lifestyle and wrong dietary pattern. Causes like unbalanced food habits, irregular sleeping pattern, low physical exercise are few of them. In elderly population, about 70% people are affecting or complaining about it.

So, the correct treatment is dealing with the cause and effect carefully.

In the department of herbal products, Ayurveda uses herbal cleanses under to broad categories - sramsanam and virechanam. Sramsanam is a prune-like gentle flush. Virechanam is a epsom-like purgative.

Ayurveda combines tissue-linking-herbs with laxative herbs to build specific tissue cleansing effects. 

Some pastes/lehams as examples
Trivrilleham - general gut flush
Dantihareetaki - liver flush
Dasamulahareetaki - lung flush
Manibhadram - skin flush
Kalyanakagulam - reproductive flush

Using any above formulas in a specific context can change its effect. For example, if Trivrit paste is used at the end of a snehapanam, it works as a complete body cleanse. 

​None of these should be used without your Ayurveda practitioner's guidance and supervision. 

Signs of constipation

• Tongue colour gets darken
• Digestion of foods takes long time
• Yellowish coloured stools
• Difficult passage of stool
• Bad breath
• Bowel movement problem
• Abdominal bloating, cramps and uneasiness
• Excessive gas
• Loss of appetite
• Feeling of inactiveness
• Rectal bleeding in case of acute condition
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Weight loss
• Headache and dizziness
• Dry, small and hard fecal formation
• Diarrhoea

What Causes Constipation?

• Low intake of water
• Insufficient dietary fiber intake
• Diet deficient in leafy, green vegetables and salads
• Not having enough roughage
• Decreased physical activity
• Diuretics, antidepressants and antihistamines cause constipation
• Heavy intake of dairy products, meats, refined sugar and eggs
• Stress and anxiety
• Problems like hypercalcemia, hypothyroidism and diabetes
• Parkinson’s, fissures and pelvic dysfunction
• Overuse of laxative and suppositories (use to soften stool)
• Travelling
• Old age (sedentary lifestyle, dehydration etc.)
• Stroke
• Hormonal imbalance during pregnancy and menstrual periods
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Iron tablets
• anticonvulsants drug
• Intestinal obstruction
• Poor functioning of thyroid gland
• Lead poisoning
• Long bed rest
• Excessive use of strong tea and coffee.
• Alcoholic beverages
• Over eating and insufficient chewing.
• Narcotic medications like Codeine and oxycodone
• Colonic inertia
• Colon and rectum problem
• Ignoring the urge to have a bowel movement
• Dehydration

Complications of constipation

• Hemorrhoids (piles)
• Faecal impaction-stool harden in large intestine and rectum
• Fecal incontinence
• Rectal prolapse means coming out of rectal tissue from anus.
• Anal fissure
• Rectal bleeding
• Hernia

Some Yoga techniques to relieve constipation
To be practiced under a trained yoga therapist

1. Bhujanghasana (Cobra pose) is extremely beneficial remedy in removing constipation, gas and flatulence.
2. Trikonasana (Triangular stretch pose) helps to pass stool easily and good for bowel movement.
3. Ardha Matsyendrasana (Half spinal twist): Yoga posture like this improves digestion helps from chronic situation.
4. Supta Vajrasana (Sleeping pelvic pose): Aids in digestion and provides relief.
5. Vajrasana (Diamond pose): Improves the functioning of whole digestive system.
6. Dhanurasana (Bow pose): helpful for its remedies and makes stool to pass easily.
7. Sarvangasana (Shoulder stand): Improves digestion and relieves from the problem.
8. Kapalbhati (Frontal brain bellowing): Helps in abdominal movement and quite effective for the case.
9. Mayurasana(Peacock pose): This yoga asana is helpful in solving the problem of indigestion.
10. Pavan Muktasana: Improves gastrointestinal problems by stimulating abdominal region thereby correct flatulence. It also reduces abdominal fats.
11. Naukasana (Boat poses): Improves and activates the digestive system and intestine.
12. Halasana (Plough pose): Relieves it and keep the spine supple. It keeps healthy thyroid and parathyroids glands and helps in preventing diabetes mellitus.
13. Shalabhasana (Locust pose): Strengthens the abdominal muscles, beneficial for digestion.
14. Mandukasana: Beneficial for digestive disorders.
15. Paschimottanasana(Head to knee pose): Practicing yoga like this removes the severe condition.
16. Yogamudra: Improves metabolism.
17. Katichakrasana (Waist rotating pose) helps to remove it.
18. Pranayama: This yoga practice is excellent for the problems
19. Suryanamaskar
20. Sankha Prakshalan