Constipation causes that, by not expelling harmful substances, they pass into the blood through the intestinal walls. These are toxins and poisons that can cause serious illness.
Normally it seems to us that it is appropriate to go to the bathroom once a day and in many cases not even that, which is why we usually resort to laxative medications to combat constipation. In this article, we explain the truth about constipation and the main reasons why you should treat it.
First of all, it is important to clarify that, when suffering from constipation, we must consult the doctor to prescribe an adequate treatment. If possible, this will be through food or natural supplements to prevent other health problems in the future.
What happens to constipation?
When we suffer constipation regularly, and not punctually for circumstantial reasons (such as changes in diet, stress, etc.), the fecal remains that we do not evacuate accumulate in our intestine and increase the proliferation of bacteria.
There is a part of those bacteria that are healthy when they are in balance. However, when they increase and the waste ferments or rots, we may experience some health problems.
1. Absorption of toxins
It is in the colon that the transfer of the nutrients to the blood supply. Unfortunately, if we suffer from constipation, the harmful substances that pass into the blood through the intestinal walls are toxins that are going to spread throughout the body.
This causes our body to gradually self-poison and generates diseases. Some of them can be serious, such as hepatic encephalopathy.
2. Proliferation of parasites
The hookworms appear in an overloaded intestine of toxins, as mentioned in previous points. The best known is Candida, but there are also other common types such as lamblias, Ascaris or tapeworms.
The following symptoms could alert about the presence of parasites in the intestines:
- Appetite disorders (excess or lack of hunger for no apparent reason).
- Swollen eyes.
- Anxiety and nervousness.
- Itching at the tip of the nose, in the eyes or in the anal area.
- Dilated pupils.
- Worsening of intestinal disorders (constipation, diarrhea).
- Insomnia for no apparent reason.
- Fatigue.
- Headache.
3. Inflammation of the intestinal walls
If we suffer this problem from time to time, we should not be alarmed. However, if we suffer from it for life or for long periods, we must put a stop to it and learn to combat constipation, since it can also cause progressive inflammation of the intestinal walls, which will worsen if we also consume laxative or even laxative medications. natural irritants, such as senna.
The intestinal walls, in addition, are related to our immune system. If they are affected, we could recurrently suffer colds, angina, flu, allergies, etc.
So… how many times?
In general, bowel movements depend on the person’s state of health, diet and other factors. However, medical sources assure that constipation is considered when the weekly evacuations are less than three.
What should stool be like?
There are other parameters that must be taken into account in addition to the times we evacuate, such as:
- The smell: they should not be very fragrant. If they are, it is a sign of putrefaction or fermentation of food that we have not digested correctly. Yes, there are some foods that can smell, like onion or cabbage.
- The texture: the texture should be normal, not too dry (as it usually happens in constipation) or too soft (more common in vegetarian diets ).
- Color: Stool should be medium brown in color, although we should also know that some foods like beets or green leafy vegetables can stain stool.
- Do they float? Some stool floats in the toilet, and the most common reasons may be an excess of gastrointestinal gases or poor absorption of fats. In the first case, we must learn to chew better, avoid foods that cause us to flatulence and be alert to possible food intolerances. In the second case, fat assimilation is directly related to the liver and gallbladder. Therefore, after consulting the doctor, we can take a medicinal plant that helps these organs, such as boldo.
When we go to evacuate, we should be able to do it without feeling like we have not emptied the intestine. Before performing any treatment to help fight constipation, we recommend consulting a doctor or therapist.