The scoop on poop: Part 1
Constipation is a condition that effects one in eight individuals in the U.S. Though not a disease per se, it can lead to many health conditions, such as hemorrhoids, diverticulitis, fissures, fecal impaction rectal prolapse and others. It is also associated with a range of illnesses such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, IBS, MS, chronic inflammatory bowel disease, multiple chemical sensitivities and food sensitivities. There are several causes of constipation. The good news is that (except in some rare situations) it is one condition that is clearly within our control.
First, we should define what a healthy bowel movement is. For quite some time there has been two schools of thought: one group of experts say anything between three and 20 movements per week is “normal”. The other thought is that you should have one bowel movement per meal that you have in a day, so three meals a day should equal three bowel movements a day. I’ve had several people who have three per day whose spouse think something is wrong — that they must have some disease. How sad! What is “normal” may be different than what is “healthy.” A perfectly functioning digestive system results in a bowel movement 30 minutes after each meal (from the previous days meal). As the digestive system heals and gets refined, two or three bowel movements per day becomes the norm.
The color should be light to dark brown, with specks of color possible, depending upon the food consumed (i.e, if you eat beets or tomatoes red may show, if you eat greens such as spinach, green may show up). White, yellow, or black (or coffee-ground colored) stools are all red flags and should be checked out. They should be soft to moderately firm, “formed,” and expelled easily. Hard “rabbit pellet” stools, stools difficult to evacuate, lower abdominal fullness and bloating or discomfort, or a sense of incomplete evacuation are considered “true” constipation. There should not be greasiness or sliminess to it. Stools that are frequent, loose (urgency with broken up pieces) or diarrhea (watery) are reason to investigate the cause.
There are a variety of causes of constipation. Many medications — especially antipsychotics, antidepressants, codeine and other analgesics, antacids, cholesterol meds, birth control pills, NSAIDS, and some heart medications can cause constipation.
“Functional” reasons for constipation can encompass emotional issues (especially in children if bowel movements are painful), physical and dietary issues. One cause can be an alteration in the ability of the colon to move the bowel contents through the colon. This wavelike action, peristalsis, is controlled by intestinal nerves that get their instructions from both the autonomic and central nervous systems. Encroachment or damage to the nerves exiting the spine in the low back could alter this action.
Nutritional deficiencies can have a profound effect on the bowels. Chronic straining and disregarding the urge to defecate can contribute. But these and remedies will be discussed in part two of The Scoop on Poop.
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Holly Carling is a Doctor of Oriental Medicine, Licensed Acupuncturist, Doctor of Naturopathy, Clinical Nutritionist and Master Herbologist with nearly four decades of experience. She is currently accepting new patients and offers natural health care services and whole food nutritional supplements in her Coeur d’Alene clinic. Visit www.vitalhealthcda.com to learn more about her, view a list of upcoming health classes and read other informative articles. Carling can be reached at (208) 765-1994 and would be happy to answer any questions regarding this topic.