What are the dangers of constipation - the consequences of improper bowel function?

Foods that cause pathology

Poor nutrition is one of the most common reasons that cause problems with stool in the male half of the population. Representatives of the stronger sex are much less likely than women to watch what they eat. According to statistics, approximately 74% of men do not follow the principles of a healthy diet and do not monitor their food intake. Therefore, serious problems with stool arise.

Other causes of constipation in men are eating foods high in fat, spices, and preservatives. These elements can quickly disrupt the functioning of the intestine and weaken its peristalsis. In addition, constant snacking in the form of sandwiches and fast food products, which office workers often indulge in, further disrupts intestinal regulation and contributes to stool retention.

Another food hazard is sweets. Sugar removes all moisture reserves from the intestines. This makes stool dry and difficult to pass. The result is difficult walking “in a big way.”

It is impossible not to mention the influence of alcoholic beverages. Frequent consumption of alcohol (even beer) reduces intestinal peristaltic activity and disrupts digestion. The food bolus and stool become compacted, which causes constipation in adults.

Diseases as a source of the problem

In addition to poor nutrition, there are several additional reasons that can cause problems with stool:

1. Male physical inactivity. It would seem that modern people work more, are at home less - there should be no physical inactivity. But most modern people have professions that do not involve an active lifestyle. Drivers, managers, bankers - they are all at particular risk. And after sitting for a long time at work, the vast majority do not go for walks or to the gym, but go home to the sofa. Together with poor nutrition, this leads to slower bowel movements and the formation of chronic constipation.
2. Diseases of the digestive system. The causes of constipation are often associated with disruption of the gastrointestinal tract. The male body is more susceptible to diseases of the digestive organs - stomach, liver, pancreas - than women. This is due both to the characteristics of the body and to diet and consumption of alcoholic beverages.
3. Intestinal diseases are a separate group of factors. Representatives of the stronger sex more often than beautiful ladies suffer from intestinal pathologies. These may be ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, duodenal ulcer, tumors of the large intestine and rectum. All these diseases are accompanied by pronounced pain and are causes of constipation in men. There is no immediate obstacle to the passage of feces, but due to severe pain the patient deliberately delays the act of defecation.
4. Tumor. A large tumor creates a direct obstacle to the passage of feces. Prolonged constipation in this case is not the only dangerous symptom. This pathology is a serious threat to life, so quick treatment is not just a wish, but an urgent requirement.
5. Haemorrhoids. This is another important cause of functional constipation. Hemorrhoids in men, especially inflamed ones, can cause severe pain during bowel movements. Reflex delay in defecation causes the formation of chronic pathology.
6. Metabolic diseases. The causes may be related to metabolic disorders that develop as a result of certain metabolic diseases. First of all, these include diabetes mellitus.

With diabetes, men can often have problems with bowel movements.

Constipation also develops as a result of mental illness. Some mental illnesses can provoke functional intestinal spasm. There is no organic reason for this; human consciousness itself causes a delay in normal bowel function (which is why in this case taking laxatives will not bring improvement).

Treatment options

The main treatment for constipation is aimed at eliminating the cause. The doctor prescribes medications, gives recommendations on nutrition and lifestyle. An important part of therapy will be following a diet with increased consumption of plant fiber.

Lifestyle correction involves the following:

• normalization of the drinking regime, drinking 2 liters of liquid;
• diet – enriching the menu with dietary fiber, excluding refractory fats;
• increasing physical activity - daily exercise, walking.

Drug treatment includes taking laxatives. They can be prescribed in the form of tablets, suppositories, drops, syrups, and enema solutions. The action of the main ones is aimed at attracting fluid for the free passage of feces. They have a liquefying effect and enhance peristalsis.

Representatives of laxatives that help men are Duphalac, Regulax, Exportal, Senade, Forlax, Dinolak, Normaze, microenema Microlax.

Laxative medications should only be used as prescribed by a doctor. Many of the drugs in this group are addictive, so they can be taken in small courses. Each drug has contraindications that need to be familiarized with before starting treatment.

In complex treatment, agents are used to normalize the intestinal microflora. These are pro- and prebiotics – Linex, Normobact, Acipol. When constipation occurs against the background of psychological factors, therapy includes the use of nootropics. Additionally, vitamins are prescribed.

The diet for stool retention should include the following foods:

• fermented milk drinks;
• fresh berries;
• salads;
• boiled zucchini, pumpkin;
• bananas;
• boiled carrots and beets;
• prunes and dried apricots.

Most often, men experience intestinal malfunctions due to an unbalanced diet. It is recommended to establish a regime by eating food often, but in small portions. You should avoid quick snacks and overeating before bed.

The most gentle way to eliminate constipation is considered to be eating prunes. You need to pour boiling water over the dried fruits and leave overnight. In the morning, the drug is drunk on an empty stomach.

Special factors in the formation of the disease

There is a special group that provokes pathology - this is the use of certain medications. Many people treat their illnesses symptomatically rather than permanently. Drugs such as antacids, painkillers, antispasmodics in large quantities can lead to disruption of intestinal function, and this will be another reason leading to problems with stool.

Vitamins and sports supplements can also cause constipation. Some dietary supplements, consumed in large quantities by many men, do not just negatively affect intestinal function: constant use of these drugs can lead to a chronic problem.

What complications can there be?

The consequences of constipation can affect the entire gastrointestinal tract and beyond. Constant poisoning of the body affects well-being, physical fitness deteriorates, and is followed by constant psychological discomfort.

What is the danger of stool retention - possible complications:

1. With prolonged retention of feces, they decompose, during which toxic substances are released. This leads to poisoning of the body. Intoxication due to constipation is indicated by malaise, weakness, headache, bloating, lack of appetite, and constant discomfort in the abdomen.
2. Symptoms gradually increase, nausea with vomiting appears, and body temperature rises. Bacteria enter the bloodstream, spreading throughout the body. This leads to inflammatory processes, including sepsis.
3. Dehydrated feces, moving through the intestines, scratch the mucous membrane, which can lead to internal bleeding.
4. Getting stuck in the bends of the intestine, feces become a constant source of infection, which ends in diverticulosis, which is very difficult to treat.
5. Chronic disorder affects the immune system. The body becomes more susceptible to various pathogenic microorganisms.
6. Injury to the intestinal mucosa, weak immunity, constant intoxication - all this increases the likelihood of cancer with a genetic predisposition.

When to treat yourself and when to go to the doctor

Constipation in men is a problem that interferes with the usual way of life and poses a serious threat (acute intestinal obstruction ends in death in 18% of cases). But only a small part of the male population decides to immediately seek medical help. Most people prefer to deal with the causes of constipation on their own.

But when is it still possible to carry out treatment at home, and when is the help of a doctor required? According to experts, adults should go to the toilet at least once a day. It is also acceptable to have bowel movements up to 5 times a week (although this is no longer considered the norm and measures should be taken to prevent constipation). If a man has bowel movements a little less frequently, for example, he goes to the toilet only 4 times a week, but such stool retention does not cause much discomfort, then treatment at home is acceptable.

If an adult man cannot go to the toilet for more than 3 days and suffers from discomfort and abdominal pain, then this is called acute constipation.

When such delays are repeated regularly, the phenomenon is chronic. For both acute and chronic constipation, it is wrong to treat yourself - it is better to go to the doctor, identify the cause of the disease and find out what to do to correct the situation.

Recipes for constipation

Honey water.

Honey should be diluted with cold boiled water. For 250 ml of water, use one teaspoon of honey. Drink honey water in one gulp.

Baked pumpkin with honey.

For this dish you will need 400 g of pumpkin, 2 tablespoons of honey and 1 tbsp. l. vegetable oil. Mix the oil with honey. Cut the pumpkin into medium pieces and roll thoroughly into the mixture. Bake in an oven preheated to 180 degrees for half an hour.

Honey mixture of dried fruits.

Dried fruits are often used during diets and when people adhere to proper nutrition. To prepare the mixture you will need 200 g of dried apricots, prunes, raisins, walnuts, one lemon and 6 tablespoons of honey. Roast the nuts in a frying pan and remove the seeds from the lemon. Grind all ingredients except honey in a blender until smooth and mix with honey. Place the mixture in a jar and store in the refrigerator. It can be eaten 2 tablespoons three times a day or used as a snack.

Honey milk drink.

This drink is very easy to make. You will need milk, banana and honey. Beat the cooled milk in a blender with a banana and a teaspoon of honey. You can add cinnamon, chocolate, orange pulp or berries to taste.

Help yourself without pills

The first thing to do when signs of constipation appear is to remove the delay in bowel movements and empty the intestines. If we are talking about a one-time and slightly painful illness, treatment at home without pills will help.

There are good folk remedies for constipation that help soften stool and relax the walls of the rectum. One of the main ways to independently normalize the process is a special diet. It involves eating foods rich in fiber and microelements important for peristalsis:

• Apples.
• Dried fruits.
• Figs
• Boiled carrots.
• Boiled beets.
• Celery.

• Boiled cauliflower.
• Stewed eggplants.
• Baked pumpkin.
• Bran.
• Low-fat kefir.

During constipation, it is recommended to eat more foods rich in fiber, for example apples.

You can stay on a diet of stomach-healthy foods for 2-3 days; if during this time a man’s constipation does not go away, then he needs to move on to taking special pills.

Medications to improve bowel function

For constipation in an adult man, treatment can be carried out with drugs from the group of osmolytics or irritants:

1. Osmolytics - these drugs soften stool in the intestines, which promotes their intensive excretion. This group of drugs includes drugs with lactulose (Duphalac, Portalac, Normaze, Goodluck) and with macrogol (Forlax, Lovakol, Forteza, Osmogol).
2. Irritants - such drugs act on the nerve receptors of the intestine, which stimulates intense compression and release of its walls. Preparations with anthraquinones (Senade, Senalex, Glaxen), bisacodyl (Dulcolax) or picosulfate (Laxigal, Slabicap, Slabilen, Guttalax) can be used.

There is one important point: with long-term use of laxative medications, dependence may occur. This manifests itself in the fact that after stopping taking the pills and eliminating the cause of the intestinal failure, constipation still returns (that is, without stimulation, the intestines stop pushing the masses themselves). In addition, the body tends to adapt to the dosage of the laxative received; it is necessary to increase the concentration of the drug, which is not always safe. This is why taking a laxative for more than 10 days is not recommended. If during this time the drug does not help, then you need to tell the doctor about it - the specialist will draw up another treatment program.

So, we have learned what constipation is that occurs in men, what causes it and how this disease is treated. We hope this information will help you quickly recognize the factors that provoke the disorder and take measures to restore intestinal function. Take care of yourself and be healthy!