Aunt Zhang is 60 years old this year, and one of the major events every morning is to go to the public toilet at the entrance of the vegetable market.
But recently, going to the toilet has become a trouble for her, and she always has to squat for a long time, and her buttocks are almost numb, so she barely squeezes out a few hard stools, like dead leaves, scattered in the toilet one by one.
She thought to herself, at this age, the things in her stomach have become grinding, and it is estimated that the old problem "constipation" has come to the door.
Aunt Zhang's troubles may also be the troubles of many people, many people have encountered dry stools and difficulty in defecation, and they are often not taken seriously by us.
1. Constipation and its common symptoms
When you talk about constipation, the first thing that probably comes to mind is those stools that are as hard as a stone and difficult to pass.
The medical definition of constipation often refers to the reduction of the frequency of bowel movements to less than three times a week, or the process of bowel movements is abnormally difficult, sometimes even if the frequency is normal, but the stool is dry and hard, in the shape of "sheep feces ball", which is also a manifestation of constipation. But what you may not know is that constipation is not a small occurrence, it can be a sign of hidden secrets deep in the body.
In constipation, the stool stays in the intestine for too long, not only is the water repeatedly absorbed and becomes like hard clay, but also the toxins and microflora in the stool are disordered, affecting the health of the body.
Clinically, it is not uncommon for people with long-term constipation to have rectal diseases such as anal fissures and hemorrhoids, and over time, they will even breed more lesions such as colon cancer.
Moreover, whenever the defecation becomes a hoarse "battle", the vigorous and drastic decline in the quality of life also makes people feel depressed.
2. The impact of constipation on physical health
Poop is like a ball of sheep dung, which is certainly hateful, and it silently erodes all aspects of life. As the saying goes, constipation seems to be small, but in fact it is a large intestine.
For example, when the elderly with cardiovascular disease have defecation, excessive exertion will lead to an increase in abdominal pressure, an increase in the burden on the heart, and may induce cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events.
In addition, it is difficult not to feel irritated and worried about the ups and downs of bowel movements.
Constipation is not only accompanied by physical discomfort, it can be like a stumbling block and can also knock down the mental health of a steady pace.
For a long time, anxiety and depression have quietly come and turned into a leisurely matter.
What's even more surprising is that poor bowel movements can involve a series of minor problems such as bloating, insomnia, and bad breath, which are annoying.
3. The role of food and lifestyle in preventing and relieving constipation
When it comes to the prevention and alleviation of constipation, it is especially important to adjust your daily diet and lifestyle.
Bananas, for example, are a fruit rich in dietary fiber and potassium that can help relieve constipation when ripe because the pectin it is rich in when ripe helps to increase stool volume and soften stool, thereby promoting bowel movements.
However, unripe bananas are rich in starch, which may worsen constipation.
In addition to bananas, other high-fiber foods such as whole-grain bread, oats, vegetables, legumes, and seeds are good choices for preventing constipation.
These foods can increase the volume of stool and stimulate intestinal peristalsis, which in turn can help with bowel movements. At the same time, adequate water intake is crucial. Adults should drink at least 1.5 to 2 litres of water per day to maintain water balance and soften stool.
Regular physical activity is also one of the key strategies to prevent constipation. Even light exercise, such as walking or yoga, can increase bowel motility and help food and waste move more efficiently in the gut.
In addition, establishing a regular bowel habit, such as attempting to have a bowel movement at the same time each day, can help adjust the body's internal clock, which can reduce the occurrence of constipation.
4. Types of constipation and treatment suggestions from the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine
TCM classifies constipation into various types, each with its own focus on treatment strategies and dietary conditioning. For example, constipation is common after eating too much or eating too much greasy, hard-to-digest food, and treatment usually involves adjusting dietary habits and taking Chinese herbs that strengthen the spleen and dispel dampness, such as hawthorn and divine comedy.
Heat-based constipation is mostly due to the accumulation of heat in the body, which is manifested as dry stool, dry mouth and other symptoms, and the treatment requires heat clearing and laxative, commonly used herbal medicines include rhubarb, miscanthus salt, etc.
Yin deficiency constipation is mostly seen in the elderly who have insufficient yin fluid in the body, and need to moisten yin and dryness.
Qi depression constipation is usually related to emotional depression and high life pressure, which requires the liver to be relieved and regulated, and commonly used therapeutic herbs such as Bupleurum and Yujin are commonly used.
For each type of constipation, TCM recommends that it be treated according to the specific situation of the individual, such as with appropriate massage, acupuncture or hot compresses, etc., to achieve better treatment results.
By adjusting your diet and lifestyle, as well as adopting TCM conditioning methods suitable for your own constitution, you can effectively prevent and relieve constipation and improve your quality of life.
By understanding and practicing these methods in depth, we can better manage constipation and reduce its impact on our lives.
5. Pay attention to the importance of abnormal stool signals
The shape, color, smell and bowel habits of your stool are all barometers of your health. Balls of stool should not be seen as a simple constipation problem, it may be an abnormal signal from the body.
Abnormal stool can be associated with certain diseases of the digestive system, such as inflammation of the colon, imbalance of intestinal flora, and even early signs of colorectal cancer.
Medical studies have shown that changes in stool morphology, such as long-term constipation or sudden constipation, should cause a high level of vigilance, especially when accompanied by symptoms such as weight loss, abdominal pain, and bloody stools.
In this case, prompt medical examination is crucial, and colonoscopy, abdominal imaging may be required to check for potential lesions.
In addition, abnormal stools may also be related to lifestyle habits, such as prolonged sedentary lifestyles, irregular diet, lack of exercise, etc.
These factors may lead to slowing down of intestinal peristalsis and an imbalance in the intestinal flora, which can cause constipation.
Therefore, the small details of daily life should not be overlooked, and they can be the key to preventing and identifying health problems.
epilogue
The stool is like a ball of sheep dung, which is not only a distress signal for the body, but also a warning for a healthy lifestyle. By adjusting our diet, increasing exercise, and having a regular schedule, we can effectively prevent and relieve constipation.
Of course, if constipation persists, or other symptoms appear, then seeking medical attention in time for professional examination and treatment is an action that everyone should take.
Health is a long-distance race that requires our care and perseverance.
Let's start by paying attention to every bowel movement, listening to the voice of the body, paying attention to every detail of health, treating our body with a responsible heart, making a healthy lifestyle a habit and making life better.