All the details about what defecation is

Mechanism

Cleansing of the lower intestines occurs during the act of defecation. Shortly before the process of emptying, a corresponding urge is formed in the body. It, in turn, has an irritating effect on the receptors of the intestine at the moment when it is filled with feces and the pressure in it is increased to 50 mm of water column.

The actual act of defecation occurs due to the performance of motor functions by the internal and external sphincters. Outside the process of emptying, they are reduced, so that feces do not fall out of the rectum. In addition, the regulation of the act of defecation is carried out by a special center. It includes the intramural nervous system, as well as the somatic and parasympathetic sections of the sacral segments of the spinal cord.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mR-rl7ITyfM

Let us separately dwell on the mechanism of the act of defecation. Afferent impulses arrive from the receptors of the intestinal mucosa to the spinal center. This happens through the pelvic and pudendal nerve fibers. In the spinal center, the process of forming impulses is started, which are then transmitted to the internal sphincter of the rectum and its smooth muscles.

Participating in the commission of a voluntary act of defecation are:

• Medulla.
• Hypothalamus.
• Cerebral cortex.

Conscious control of the emptying process is formed already in the first 12 months after the birth of the child.

A natural act is not only of a volitional nature. It is partly involuntary. Indeed, with severe irritation of the intestine, the process of its contraction starts, due to which the sphincters also relax.

What to do if disturbances in physiological functions are associated with severe intestinal atony?

Everyone has experienced constipation at least once in their life, and 30 to 50% of the population suffers from constant constipation. We will talk about the regularity of bowel movements, what is normal, how to improve the situation, who to contact and what examinations to undergo if constipation does not go away.

In short, in the large intestine, food debris is mixed, water is absorbed, feces are formed and move towards the “exit” - the rectum, where the wall stretches, the urge to defecate appears and feces are expelled.

Why know this? To distinguish the norm from the non-norm. Regular bowel movements are a sign of good digestion and promote health and longevity.

If you need to go to the toilet at night, these are signs of illness. Because contractions of the colon - peristalsis - appear in the morning, and at night the intestines “rest”. Consult a doctor, do not treat yourself, if during bowel movements you have the feeling that:

• there is “something left” in your intestines, there is no feeling of relief
• you need to push
• you want but can't go to the toilet
• Everything in the stomach is “blocked”
• it makes you swell
• I need help emptying my bowels
• this condition lasts more than six months and the situation is getting worse.

The human gastrointestinal tract system performs two fundamentally important functions: the promotion of food masses, followed by enzyme processing and absorption. It is in the combined influence of these functions that digestion occurs - that is, in each section of the digestive system, food undergoes a certain processing with substances secreted by the glands, and its promotion is carried out due to contractions of smooth muscle fibers.

During the entire process, food masses remain in the intestines for the longest time. This is where all the most important moments in digestion occur. That is, food previously crushed in the oral cavity and treated with salivary enzymes and gastric juice enters the duodenum from the stomach.

In the small intestine, it also undergoes enzymatic processing under the influence of secreted pancreatic juice and bile (the ducts of these glands open into the duodenum). Thus, all polymers - large molecules that the human body cannot absorb (proteins, fats and starch) are broken down into monomers (amino acids, glycerol, fatty acids and glucose, respectively), which are absorbed by special villi of the mucous membrane.

It is in the small intestine that all these processes take place (only two percent of all nutrients are absorbed in the large intestine). Further, after almost everything useful has been taken from the food masses, under the influence of peristaltic movements they “move” further towards the “exit”. After passing through the ileocecal valve (anatomical structure separating the large and small intestines), chyme (the so-called food masses already processed by enzymes) enters the large intestine.

Completely different processes are already taking place there, which are carried out in most cases under the influence of beneficial microflora. Water, some vitamins and minerals are absorbed. The most important function assigned to the large intestine is the accumulation and formation of feces, which will subsequently be excreted.

There are situations when, for certain reasons, neither laxatives nor diets help empty the gastrointestinal tract. As a rule, they are caused by some kind of organic pathology (in most cases, these are oncological tumors localized in the large intestine, or adhesions that occur after improperly performed surgery, a diffuse purulent process in the peritoneum). In these cases, surgical treatment aimed at eliminating organic pathology is mandatory.

Indeed, stool disorders are the main symptoms of colon diseases. Constipation can be caused by intestinal spasms or weakening of its motor activity with subsequent fecal stagnation.

Impaired movement of intestinal contents can be caused by inflammation, the presence of tumor-like formations that narrow the intestinal lumen, the formation of adhesions or diverticula (pouch-like protrusions in the intestinal wall), elongation or excessive looping of the colon.

But more often, disorders of the motor function of the colon occur secondary to diseases of other organs. An unbalanced diet can lead to the development of constipation (insufficient intake of water and food, breakfast on the go or eating too quickly, using diets that include only mechanically gentle meals, excluding fruits and vegetables).

Most often, acute constipation is situational in nature and associated with changes in living conditions (for example, traveler's constipation).

forced bed rest, pregnancy, changes in the nature and volume of food, insufficient fluid intake, taking certain medications, emotional factors.

In these cases, it is necessary to eliminate the cause that caused the violation of bowel movement: changing the diet, stopping medications, psycho-emotional correction.

If there is no effect from these measures, patients with acute constipation lasting longer than 2–3 weeks need to be examined to exclude, first of all, a colon tumor. For this purpose, the doctor usually prescribes, in addition to blood and stool tests, X-ray (irrigoscopy) and/or endoscopic (colonofibroscopy) examination methods.

Chronic constipation accompanies diabetes and obesity. Sometimes constipation is an early, and often the only sign of thyroid disease - hypothyroidism. Reflex slowing of the motor function of the colon can occur with diseases of the stomach, liver and gall bladder.

The cause of difficult bowel movement can be a decrease in the tone of the muscles of the anterior abdominal wall with excess weight, pulmonary heart failure, and emphysema. Chronic intoxication (drug addiction, chewing tobacco, some occupational hazards) inevitably leads to constipation.

Disorders and diseases of the central and peripheral nervous system (Parkinson's disease, paralytic syndrome, multiple sclerosis, dyscirculatory encephalopathy, lumbosacral radiculitis) are also often accompanied by constipation.

If the body copes on its own, then why cleanse (empty) the intestines?

Without a doubt, the digestive system is designed in such a way that by itself it can perform all the functions assigned to it. However, there are cases when, for some reason, peristaltic contractions are disrupted - that is, they cease to have the necessary intensity and frequency.

That is, food masses accumulate in the gastrointestinal tract and, in addition to the fact that the digestion process itself is disrupted, there is a high probability of many other extremely unfavorable situations and consequences (dyspeptic and pain syndrome, obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract, even rupture). intestinal wall and peritonitis).

The following factors contribute to impaired peristalsis:

1. Poor nutrition. The absence or insufficient amount of insoluble plant fiber in a person’s diet leads to the fact that the smooth muscle component of the intestinal wall ceases to receive the necessary “stimulus” to contract - this is, to a certain extent, the cause of the disorder of this function. In addition, the situation is complicated by the fact that with an incorrect diet, the consistency of food masses changes (it becomes significantly denser) - this in turn also complicates the removal of undigested food residues. Due to the long stay of compacted feces in the gastrointestinal tract (which in this case are already called fecal stones), there is a high probability of injury to the intestinal mucosa with the subsequent development of an infectious process or rupture of the cell wall. This situation is especially common in the sigmoid colon.
2. Constant stress and neuropsychiatric overstrain. The peripheral nervous system (its autonomic department), which is responsible for the innervation of the intestines, is closely connected functionally with higher nervous activity (that is, with human consciousness, which is constantly exposed to the negative influence of the surrounding world). Thus, if a person is “nervous” and worries a lot, all these moments can negatively affect the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. In particular, due to disruption of peristaltic contractions of the intestine (the nervous system does not send “signals”), the evacuation function may be impaired.
3. Postoperative interventions and adhesive process.

A separate topic is defecation disorders in children. In this case, disturbances may be due to the failure and physiological immaturity of the digestive system.

All these processes lead to the need to artificially cleanse the intestines. In order to correctly perform this procedure and not cause harm, as well as to notice the need for medical care in time, you should understand the physiological basis of the digestive process.

There are also situations when it is necessary to carry out any diagnostic or therapeutic procedures (colonoscopy, fibrogastroduodunoscopy, irrigography, sigmoidoscopy), which are performed only with an empty bowel. Everything is correct - after all, an endoscope is used to visualize the condition of the internal walls of the intestine, but what can be seen if there is feces there?

Regular bowel movements indicate not only healthy bowel function, but also the proper functioning of your hormones. Clinically, constipation is defined as the presence of stool less than once a day, although some schools consider it normal to have a bowel movement after each meal, all other options are regarded as pathology.

Constipation slows the transit of contents through the intestines and increases the time for reabsorption of estrogen metabolites. Pathogenic flora in the colon, especially candida fungus, can synthesize estrogen-like substances.

Anaerobic intestinal flora produces estrone, estradiol and 17-methoxyestradiol from bacterial metabolites of cholesterol. Pathogenic bacteria can also deconjugate, that is, release estrogens, which are usually excreted from the liver through the bile flow through the gastrointestinal tract in a bound form.

Unbound estrogens are reabsorbed into the blood and begin to circulate in the body again, exacerbating hormonal imbalance (estrogen dominance).

One of the causes of constipation can be chronic stress, because constantly high levels of cortisol have a spasmodic effect on the muscular component of the gastrointestinal tract, leading to bloating, painful cramps and irregular bowel movements.

Reduced thyroid function, as well as a sedentary and sedentary lifestyle, also slow down metabolism and lead to impaired intestinal motility and constipation.

Daily fuss, irregular meals, lack of water intake, ignoring or suppressing the natural urge to defecate due to uncomfortable conditions, for example, at work, during a business trip or travel, aggravate existing intestinal problems.

Did you know that the shape, color, consistency and smell of your stool can tell you a lot about the state of your body? Dr. Ken W.

https://youtu.be/GbaO4cZYOL8

Heaton from the University of Bristol (UK) developed the Bristol Stool Shape Scale, which was first published in the Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology in 1997.

The Bristol stool chart is a medical assessment classification of the shape and consistency of human stool that has important diagnostic value.

According to the Bristol scale, there are seven types of stool:

• Type 1: Individual hard pieces, similar to nuts, are difficult to pass through the rectum.
• Type 2: Sausage-shaped, lumpy stool (larger in diameter than type 3).
• Type 3: Sausage-shaped feces with a cracked surface (smaller diameter than type 2).
• Type 4: Sausage-shaped or snake-shaped feces with a soft and smooth surface.
• Type 5: Stool in the form of soft lumps with clear edges, easily passing through the rectum.
• Type 6: Porous, loose, soft stool in the form of fluffy lumps with ragged edges.
• Type 7: Watery stool, no solid pieces; or completely liquid.

Types 1 and 2 are used to identify constipation, types 3 and 4 are considered “ideal stool” (especially type 4, since such stool passes more easily through the rectum during defecation), types 6 and 7 are used to identify diarrhea, while 7- type 2 indicates a possible serious illness.

1) Magnesium gluconate.

Magnesium is a natural muscle relaxant. Many people literally “hold” stress in their abdominal muscles and gastrointestinal tract. Start taking magnesium (250-300 mg twice daily). This will help you reduce cramps and pain, get rid of constipation and normalize sleep.

2) Vitamin C.

3) Polyunsaturated fatty acids (Omega 3 and 6).

Fish oil, flax seed oil, evening primrose oil (1 - 2 tablespoons per day) not only have an anti-inflammatory effect, but also stimulate intestinal motility and affect the structure of stool.

Feel free to add these fats to green smoothies, salads, and main dishes. Don't forget about avocado - its unique taste and composition not only makes you feel full for a long time, but also supplies the body with healthy fatty acids.

4) Fiber, water and kefir.

A diet consisting of 80-85% vegetables, grains and legumes will provide your body with the necessary amount of fiber. Fiber is the main component for binding intestinal toxins (including excess estrogen) and removing them from the body.

How often should a healthy person have a bowel movement?

A more detailed study of the physiology of the rectum

showed that people have two main types of defecation: one-stage and two-stage. A survey of several thousand healthy and sick people showed that approximately 70% of healthy people have a single-stage bowel movement, 20% have a two-stage bowel movement, and 10% have a mixed and indeterminate type of bowel movement.

With simultaneous defecation

a person, with two or three tensions of the abdominal press, throws out the contents accumulated in the rectum and sigmoid colon. This whole process takes 3-4 minutes.

Two-stage defecation

consists in the fact that the first portion of feces is first ejected from the rectum. But the person is left with a feeling of unfinished bowel movement. He tries to expel the contents of the distal colon through repeated, intense, long-term contractions of the abdominal press. In this case, the rectum is often empty, and the contents are located in the sigmoid colon, outside the central axis of pressure of the abdominal forces on the pelvic organs. After some time (5-7-10 minutes or more), the next peristaltic wave moves the intestinal contents from the sigmoid colon to the rectum, and it is expelled through the anus by one of the next abdominal tensions.

Some people have intestinal contents

is delivered in 3-4 portions (three-, four-, multi-stage defecation), and this whole process takes up to 10-15-30 minutes or more.

X-ray observations of E. N. Semushkina-Tikhomirova showed that with simultaneous defecation

after several abdominal tensions, the rectum and sigmoid colon are freed from feces, and the contents of the rest of the colon move somewhat to the left. With two-stage defecation, only the rectum is emptied first. Only in the second, and sometimes in the third and even fourth moment, the intestinal contents, after moving by peristaltic waves into the rectum, are released in portions beyond the anal ring. We observed several people who considered themselves completely healthy, who throughout their entire lives, as far as they can remember, had bowel movements in four portions.

After two- or multi-stage defecation

The radiological picture is the same as after a single-stage defecation - emptying of the rectum and sigmoid colon, as well as some movement of the feces remaining in the colon to the left.

Contraction of the abdominal press in persons with two-stage defecation

and repeated, intense straining between periods of ejection of intestinal masses with an empty rectum, a relaxed open sphincter of the anus contributes to the reverse flow of blood from the broad veins of the abdominal cavity into the valveless pelvic and hemorrhoidal veins, tension of the suspensory apparatus of the rectum, and its lowering. As a result, diseases such as hemorrhoids, rectal prolapse, fissures, and paraproctitis may develop.

The study of this issue in clinical practice has shown that if among healthy people simultaneous defecation

occurs in 70%, two- and myomomentary - in 20%, mixed and undefined in 10%, then among those suffering from proctological diseases (Sh. B. Dolinko), one-stage defecation was observed in 31.8%, two- and myomomentum - in 68.2% of patients. These data are even more revealing for certain diseases. Thus, of the number of people suffering from hemorrhoids, about 90% had two-stage defecation (A. G. Khitova, Yu. V. Timokhin), among patients with rectal prolapse - 73.4% (Yu. I. Malyshev), among those suffering from paraproctitis - 72.2% (N. M. Blinchev), cracks - in 51.5% (Yu. A. Perov).

Anatomy of the anal canal: 1 - circular muscle;
2 - longitudinal muscle; 3 - supralevator space; 4 - muscle that lifts the ani; 5 - anorectal junction; 6 - puborectalis muscle; 7 - transition zone; 8 - jagged line; 9 - internal sphincter; 10 - external sphincter; 11 - intersphincteric space; 12 - anus; 13 - scallop; 14 - anal gland. where C is compliance (adaptive capacity of the rectum), u is stool viscosity, L is the length of the anal canal, Pmax is the maximum pressure, r is the radius of the anal canal and Vrectum is the volume of the rectum.
V. N. Shabaev showed that during abdominal tension during defecation

quite significant occurs - at 30-50 and even 125 mm Hg. Art., increased blood pressure, i.e. the maximum blood pressure at these moments in a healthy person can reach 240-250 mm Hg. Art. After defecation, blood pressure decreases and returns to normal within a period of 3-5 minutes to 1 hour. Higher blood pressure levels and longer periods of its increase were noted in individuals with two-stage defecation.

Ya. A. Kachimov examined the pressure in the rectum

apparatus designed by him. At the moment of the highest abdominal tension, this pressure rose to 200 mm Hg. Art. and higher.

V. N. Shabaev showed that from the total number of patients (among 200 observations) with myocardial infarction

The disaster in 10.5% occurred during defecation. And out of 100 patients with cerebral stroke, in 3%, cerebral hemorrhage also occurred during defecation, and in another 4%, as a result of defecation, the course of the disease worsened. Thus, two-stage defecation can, on the one hand, contribute to the development of certain diseases of the rectum. This is especially the case in people suffering from hemorrhoids. On the other hand, intense, prolonged, two-stage defecation in elderly people suffering from arteriosclerosis of internal organs can be a direct cause of such serious diseases as myocardial infarction and cerebral stroke. The following conclusions can be drawn from these observations.

Two-stage defecation

both in healthy people and especially in patients suffering from proctological and other diseases, it is undesirable, harmful, and contributes to the development of many diseases. Therefore, it needs to be replaced by a one-time act of defecation. This is not always easy to do, since the main types of bowel movements are developed from early childhood.

One or another type of evacuation

, as the observations of L.V. Loginova-Katricheva showed, begins to form from childhood and is consolidated as a conditioned reflex. However, if you explain to a person what one- and two- or myomomentary defecation is and the harm of this latter, then he can, through the efforts of his will, restore a more natural, harmless, one-time act of defecation.

Two-stage defecation

is not only a variant of the norm, but also a threshold of pathology, since this type of bowel movement can contribute to the development of certain diseases of the rectum. With two-stage defecation, the presence of feces in the sigmoid colon is felt as a feeling of unfinished bowel movement. The presence of feces in the sigmoid colon usually does not cause a reflex of the urge to defecate transmitted to the cerebral cortex. And in persons with two-stage defecation, such additional cortico-visceral connections exist.

X-ray examination of the rectum

does not reveal differences after one-stage and two-stage defecation, when the first portion of feces has passed. In both cases, traces of feces remain in the rectum and noticeable remains in the sigmoid colon. A person with one-stage defecation considers the act of defecation completed, while a person with two-stage defecation experiences a feeling of an unfinished act of bowel movement. Obviously, the difference in sensations and behavior depends on the unequal cortical perception of irritations emanating from the rectum to the sigmoid colon.

Everything stated about one- and two-stage defecation

shows that one-stage defecation is the norm to which one should strive, and two-stage defecation is an introduction to pathology and should be avoided. To prevent diseases of the rectum, and in the presence of these diseases, to prevent them from progressing, you should try to replace two-stage bowel movements with one-stage ones.

Many more questions about the physiology of the rectum

were subjected to detailed study in our clinic. These include the physiology of defecation in children, the anal reflex, and absorption from the rectum. Let's briefly look at these issues.

L. V. Loginova-Katricheva studied the physiology of defecation

in 112 young children - up to 3 years old, among them there were 50 boys, 62 girls; under the age of 1 year - 81, of which 28 are newborns. The first bowel movement in 4/5 children occurs in the first half of the day, in 1/5 - in the second half of the day after birth. In the next 8-9 days there are from 2 to 6 bowel movements. In the first 3 years of life, children have 2-3-4 bowel movements per day.

If the body copes on its own, then why cleanse (empty) the intestines?

In this case, it all depends on what indications exist for this procedure.

First of all, of course, diet is indicated. Anyway. It will be necessary to consume as many foods as possible fortified with insoluble plant fiber (i.e., fruits, vegetables, whole grain bran bread). We should not forget about fermented milk products, but it is best to avoid eating fatty, fried foods, chips and seeds that clog the intestines. Such nutrition will soon allow you to cleanse your intestines very well.

However, there are also cases when dietary correction alone is not enough.

If for some reason constipation occurs and the situation is not complicated by severe pain, then medical cleansing with herbal laxatives will be quite sufficient. It is best to use senade (senadexin) or buckthorn bark (a decoction is prepared from it).

In addition, it would be very good for older people to take picolax (or guttalax) in such cases - a herbal preparation prepared on the basis of plantain extract - it is highly effective by stimulating peristaltic movements of the intestines and softening the consistency of stool. A very good laxative that became known a long time ago is castor oil.

In the case of older people, this is an age-related physiological feature of digestive processes; they will need to take laxatives systematically (of course, if necessary). It is important to understand that a quick effect from the use of laxatives in this case will not be achieved.

For constipation in children, an old method, known for a long time, is often used, which is successfully implemented at home - an enema. Without a doubt, no one will dispute its effectiveness (especially if you use a soap solution), but cleaning the intestines in this way usually causes sharply negative emotions in children.

Again, with an enema it will be possible to clean only the distal parts of the large intestine (rectum, sigmoid colon). In the event that the use of an enema is not effective, it is necessary to immediately seek professional medical help - young children are often diagnosed with Hirschsprung's disease - a pathology associated with disruption of the innervation of a certain part of the intestine, which leads to severe obstruction.

Prevention of violations

It is possible to significantly reduce the risk of bowel disorders, but for this you need to follow the principles of a healthy diet. The daily menu must include foods rich in plant fiber. It is advisable to exclude fatty, fried, smoked and spicy foods from the diet.

It is also important to promptly treat all identified diseases. If any alarming symptoms occur, it is recommended to consult a doctor.

Regularity

Normally, the average person should defecate up to 2 times a day. However, it should not be accompanied by painful or other uncomfortable sensations. In addition, a person should not make any significant effort when straining.

https://youtu.be/hHWXGctgEwo

The interval between acts of defecation is a purely individual indicator. For the average person, bowel movements occur in the morning. At the same time, the possibility of cleansing in the evening cannot be ruled out.

Normally, up to 0.5 kg of feces should leave the body per day. Feces should be released easily, sink immediately and not leave marks on the plumbing. The color of stool is normally brown (except on days when a person has eaten a coloring food, such as beets). The consistency of the feces should be soft but formed stool.

Why can't we consciously suppress bowel movements?

Conscious suppression of bowel movements can lead to overstretching of the rectal ampulla, which, in turn, will affect further acts of bowel movement. Feces are not only digested food, but also a mass of bacteria and their toxins that they produce in the intestines. In particular, it is indole. With a long delay in the act of defecation, absorption of decay products into the blood occurs.

Atonic constipation is another serious problem that occurs when bowel movements are suppressed. If a person does not empty the intestines “on demand,” the nervous regulation of the process is disrupted. The intestinal wall stops responding to signals coming from the central nervous system. Defecation does not occur, which leads to intestinal overfilling and the development of intoxication. Frequent constipation is the starting point for the development of dysbiosis and exacerbation of chronic pathology of the digestive tract.

Ignoring the body's signals (consciously holding back feces in it) leads to excessive stretching of the rectal ampulla. In addition, feces is not only the end product of food digestion. It contains a huge number of bacteria and toxic compounds. The latter begin to be absorbed into the blood in the absence of emptying for a long time. As a result, a person experiences headache, weakness and other manifestations of the intoxication process.

A hole in the floor is the safest toilet

The most dangerous position is considered to be sitting on the toilet at a right angle, with your feet resting on the floor. This is exactly the position modern plumbing has taught us to do. The rectum is in a compressed state, and this prevents the exit of feces, which leads to constipation and other problems with the gastrointestinal tract, which can even lead to intestinal cancer.

Incorrect position on the toilet

You shouldn’t be surprised by the fact that the safest toilet for your intestines is the “hole in the floor.” It's all about a natural position that promotes the correct exit of fecal matter from the anus.

Developing the habit of sitting on the toilet in a rather unusual position is difficult, but possible. Especially when your health is at stake. Unfortunately, only a tiny number of specialists talk about a life-saving method of combating constipation, hemorrhoids and even intestinal cancer.

Let us remind you that we previously wrote how to choose the right panties for every day: 6 tips from a gynecologist.

Read the most useful materials on Clutch.

Constipation - causes, symptoms, treatment

Constipation (colon coprostasis) is the name given to stool retention for more than 2 days or regular poor bowel movements.

In this case, both the act of defecation is complicated and the qualitative and quantitative properties of feces are changed (stool is less than 100 g per day, or its hardness is increased - like “sheep feces” in the form of separate balls, or there is a feeling of incomplete emptying of the rectum).

If manifestations of coprostasis last more than 6 weeks, then they speak of chronic constipation. Typically, a person's normal bowel movement frequency ranges from 3 times a day to 3 times a week.

The causes of constipation can be different. Sometimes it can be caused by changes that have occurred in the intestines, such as the appearance of tumors, hemorrhoids, scars, colitis.

Very often, the disorder is provoked by low quality nutrition: irregular meals, insufficient quantities of plant-based products in the menu, overeating or undereating.

Other reasons include insufficient bowel movements during previous bowel movements.

The cause of stool retention is often certain functional disorders.

In this case, as a rule, atonic constipation is observed (due to weakening of the intestinal muscles), which is the result of a sedentary lifestyle, poor diet, weakening of the general tone of the body, and frequent suppression of the urge to defecate. Naturally, atonic constipation is observed mainly among office workers.

Another example of a functional disorder is spastic constipation. Their occurrence is provoked by occupational poisoning, excessive smoking and prolonged spasm of the intestinal muscles due to an excited nervous state.

How to sit on the toilet if your legs are numb or numb

Many people complain that their legs feel numb and numb when going to the toilet. This occurs because the sciatic nerve is pinched. At the same time, although sitting on the toilet for a long time is harmful, it is impossible to leave the toilet before completing the act of defecation. What can you do to make your intestines empty faster and your legs stop going numb? Doctors recommend taking a number of measures:

• Don't take your phone with you. The gadget distracts from the main purpose of visiting the toilet and forces you to take an uncomfortable position for defecation. The rule also applies to any entertainment: books, crosswords, magazines, etc.
• Choose a soft lid for the toilet that will squeeze the vessels with less force.
• When visiting the toilet, tilt the body forward to make the angle of inclination correct.
• Use a footrest.

It is better to stop reading and using gadgets

It is not difficult to follow these rules. However, women who have recently had an episiotomy (a cut at the back of the vagina during childbirth) may not be comfortable with these requirements.

Colon cleansing before any diagnostic testing

In this case, it is necessary to use highly effective techniques that make it possible to clean the gastrointestinal tract efficiently and in record time.

The best option would be hydrocolonoscopy (this procedure is also called monitor bowel cleansing). It consists of flushing the intestines under pressure of water, which will be supplied from a special device inserted rectally. The whole advantage of this procedure is that it will be possible to visualize the quality of bowel cleansing using a special monitor inserted with the device described above.

It is important to understand that when performing diagnostic procedures related to the study of the small intestine, the use of an enema or suppositories will not work - they will only cleanse the distal sections of the gastrointestinal tract.

To cleanse the small intestine, you need to take fortrans or magnesium sulfate (these are powders diluted with water, you need to drink them - suppositories and enema are ineffective in this case). These are all very effective cleansing preparations that can be purchased at any pharmacy. Their effect is realized after 3-4 hours.

What does Elena Malysheva say?

The famous Elena Malysheva talks about how to walk properly in one of her programs. She shared with the audience information that was recently released by international experts. The presenter gives the following recommendations for choosing the right pose:

• knees should be higher than hips;
• your elbows must rest on your knees;
• the abdominal press needs to be relaxed;
• straighten your back.

It should also be added: if the process of defecation causes pain, it’s time to change not only your position on the toilet, but also your lifestyle in general.

If you have constipation, you should not resort to an enema: the intestines will get used to the help and stop working on their own. An enema is a last resort measure to combat constipation. Correct body position when visiting the toilet, proper drinking regimen and an active lifestyle will be more effective and, moreover, safe.

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