Chronic Constipation

Today's healthcare providers have an incredible array of tools at their disposal. MRIs that look inside the brain to detect abnormalities; CT scans to spot heart defects and various structural deformities; and genetic testing and stem cell research to reverse disease or help avoid it altogether. Yet with all our medical advancements, we still have no definitive solution for "The Show Stopper" - constipation.

Constipation is quite common in the U.S, affecting more than 20% of the population and leading to around 2.5 million doctor visits each year. It is also big business - just turn on the TV and within minutes you'll probably see a commercial for a prescription or over- the-counter medicine that promotes "regularity." In fact, Americans spend around a billion dollars for these remedies annually. While it is not considered a serious medical condition by the public or medical doctors, constipation can be disruptive to our lives and may even be indicative of an underlying disease.

There are many causes of constipation, most of them linked to lifestyle. This is why it is often difficult for doctors to treat it effectively. Some of these causes include:

? low fiber diet and processed food ? stress ? medications such as antacids, antidepressants, and pain relievers ? not drinking enough water ? emotional trauma ? medical conditions such as hypothyroid and immune disorders or recent surgery ? sedentary lifestyle ? pregnancy ? laxatives ? spinal misalignment (this is especially common in toddlers)

Depending on the cause, your symptoms of constipation may also manifest differently. For example, if you have diarrhea with constipation, you most likely have an intestinal pathogen. If you have pain with constipation, you may have Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), polyps or diverticulitis. If you have gas and bloating with constipation, there is a strong probability you have intestinal yeast or bacterial in your gut. Food sensitivities can also cause any of the above symptoms.

This list is not exhaustive, however, and the show stopper can affect even the most health-conscious people. In my thirties, I worked sixty hours a week, ran twenty miles a week and followed the Fit for Life diet, yet I still suffered from constipation. Looking back, I now realize that I didn't have enough fiber (i.e. salads) in my diet and didn't drink enough plain water. At the time, however, I figured it was just my constitutional type or genetic predisposition. I resorted to laxatives, which were often harsh but to my way of thinking preferable to the toxic buildup of waste in my system. It wasn't until mid-life that I discovered whole flaxseed, which has kept me regular ever since. I haven't used laxatives in years. Presently, I don’t need flaxseed.

What I soon noticed, however, is that flaxseed doesn't work for most people. Instead, some find that oil vinaigrette dressing in their salad does the trick; others need to add Psyllium capsules or other supplements to their daily regimen. Still other people respond to fresh squeeze orange juice or lemon in the morning. The point is that people must find what works for them.

The American diet is high in protein and fat but low in fiber. This may also be the reason for the increased rate of colon cancer in the U.S. While this type of cancer is the fourth most common cause of cancer deaths, it is much more prevalent in the western world than in Africa or Asia, where people eat a lot more fiber.

While constipation is not considered serious, in and of itself, it can be indicative or predictive of underlying disease; therefore, you should be checked out by a physician.

That said, any doctor who tells you not to worry that you're pooping once every three days or tells you to take a stool softener should be fired. Let's look at this mathematically. You probably eat nine meals in three days and you poop just once. Nine in - one out. This will not only make you uncomfortable in the present but can cause bigger health problems in the future. Now a days, colon cancer is striking people in their thirties.

If adding fiber or water to your diet doesn't help, or adding exercise, the next step is to see a medical doctor that practices functional medicine so that he or she can rule out any underlying condition. Then go to a holistic chiropractor or acupuncturist who takes your constipation seriously. A holistic practitioner can release your anxiety, ensure you're absorbing nutrients, check your energy balance, correct any colon interferences and ensure proper nutrition and recommend ideal supplements. This combination of conventional and holistic approaches will help you get the show on the road.