Treatment of CONSTIPATION? Quiz!!!!!!!!!!!

[Guest guest]

> Ideally if there is an chronic constipation which treatment is

> preferred?

>

> 1. Administration of Basti ( enima), giving external oil massage,

> internal Oleation, administration of drugs like gokshura, ela etc

>

> OR

>

> 2. Administration of Tripahla( Hartitaki, Amliaki, Bibhatki) & glass

> of warm milk with one spoon of ghee at night, giving abhayarishta

 

 

sorry vab_k that it took so long to respond, but in considering your

question my short answer is neither - i would want to investigate why

is it chronic...

i can think of at least six general factors (not pathologies or

diseases, which are SPECIFIC factors) that cause constipation and

must be addressed to achieve lasting success:

 

1. Poor digestion: having poor stomach digestion, from eating

improper foods at improper times or mixing incompatible foods,

promotes a dysregulation of the gastric hormones, which in turn,

affects GI (gastrointestinal, ie. digestive) motility (movement). For

example, an impairment of gastrin secretion in the stomach affects

both pyloric and ileocecal activity, two sphincters that drain the

stomach and small intestine, respectively. I have consistently found

that condition of the stomach in large part sets the tone of the

entire GIT - in ayurveda, the amashaya.

 

2. Poor food choices: related to the above, but some notable foods

and food preparations directly impair GI motility by being heavy,

sticky and hard to digest. For example, when water is mixed with a

finely milled flour (even whole grain) it forms a sticky, glue-like

complex that not only is difficult to move along the surface of the

bowel, it can promote actual damage to the gut wall and cause gliadin

allergies (celiac dz)

 

3. Insufficient bile synthesis and excretion: the liver produces bile

and secretes it into the GIT as a digestive fluid (for the

emulsification of fat), an elimination product, and to stimulate/

regulate peristalsis (bowel movement). The most common dietary

factor here is a deficiency of "bitter" fibrous foods (i.e leafy

greens). However, liver damage from alcohol and drugs etc are common

lifestyle-choice factors, as is lack of activity causing pelvic

stagnation.

 

4. Insufficient fiber: most people might be surprised to learn this

but a bowel movement is for the most part bacteria, not the food we

eat. What we eat only determines the mix the and the different types

of bacteria that live in our gut. This ecology is in a constant

state of flux. Thus, chronic constipation can also be viewed as a

deficiency of the ecological factors that support bacterial growth in

the colon. Although many things influence the gut ecology, such as

diet and medications, a lack of the proper fibers that these bacteria

ferment is a primary cause. The kind of fibers that are most helpful

in this regard are fructo-oligosaccharides, such as inulin (found

in, but other water insoluble fibers are good too, such as those

found in hemp seed.

 

5. Insufficient moisture: for some people, especially the aged, the

bowel is simply to dry. While increasing water intake is an obvious

strategy, plain water actually can have a dehydrating effect in some

people (i.e. better for pitta instead of vata). For the latter, the

best approach is to increase the consumption of fats that nourish and

moisturize the bowel, such as the healthy omega 3-6-9 fats. Proper

fat in the diet also acts as a stimulus to bile synthesis and

secretion. For vata there are some Chinese herbs such as those that

lubricate the bowel that are excellent for this condition, such as

tien men dong (shatavari), rehmannia, and peony. In pitta the

typical bitter cholagogues (are helpful because they unblock the

channels and let the bile flow, letting it cool.

 

6. Impaired gastric circulation: as one cause of #3 also, relates to

pelvic stagnation, usually caused by a lack of exercise. More common

in women, but men too as they age, i.e. prostate issues) The most

common symptom of this is abdominal weight gain. In some cases the

region is just plain cold, more related to is constitutional factors

(vata/kapha), and this can be treated with warming, abdominal massages.

 

these six things anyone who has chronic constipation can try to correct

 

 

boy is it miserable here in vancouver

cold cold cold, snow snow rain

to be in sunny india must be a delight...<sigh>

 

Caldecott

todd (AT) toddcaldecott (DOT) com

www.toddcaldecott.com