Constipation

In the nineteenth century, a naturopathic concept came into being whose influence persists today: namely, that regular, frequent, and complete bowel movements are necessary for optimum health. William Harvey Kellogg, of Kelloggs cereal fame, wrote extensively of the dangers of "auto-intoxication" purportedly caused by inadequate elimination. He and others claimed that a concrete-like sludge builds up on the wall of the colon, increasing in thickness over time and destroying the health of the body.

However, in modern times physicians have performed millions of direct examinations of the colon, using the procedure known as colonoscopy, without finding any evidence of such a coating. Caked colons are a myth.

Furthermore, conventional medicine has never observed any connection between elimination and overall health. Many people eliminate only once a week or so, and their health appears to be no worse than that of the population at large. Nonetheless, most people find constipation unpleasant, and for some it becomes a severe chronic problem.

Conventional treatment for constipation involves mainly increasing exercise and intake of dietary fiber and water while reserving laxatives, suppositories, and enemas for emergencies.

Principal Proposed Treatments for Constipation:

Occasional constipation can be safely self-treated. However, if constipation becomes a chronic problem, it should be evaluated by a physician.

Increasing dietary fiber and water intake is the first treatment to try for chronic constipation. Some of the most useful forms of fiber are psyllium husks, debittered fenugreek seeds, and flaxseed. A typical dosage is 5 to 10 g 1 to 3 times daily, with at least 16 ounces of liquid. Start with the lower doses and work up gradually, as too much fiber all at once can actually worsen constipation.

The herb cascara sagrada is an approved over-the-counter treatment for constipation. However, when taken by itself, it can occasionally cause dependence. It is often combined in small amounts with other herbs, including barberry, turkey rhubarb, dandelion, red raspberry, goldenseal, and cayenne, that gently affect the digestive tract. However, the safety and efficacy of these combinations have not been proven. Dandelion used alone and the Chinese herb He shou wu are also reputed to be effective. The supplement MSM is sometimes suggested for constipation, although no real evidence exists supporting this use.

A final point about constipation: Like sleep, elimination is inhibited by thinking too much about it. Part of the key to solving chronic constipation problems is to decrease the sense of worry and anxiety that surrounds the issue. Although constipation is certainly unpleasant, its evils have been greatly exaggerated. Thinking less about it will often go a long way toward solving the problem.