Atonic constipation is a disease that occurs against the background of disruptions in the digestive system, in which, due to weakened peristalsis of the colon, the intestinal muscular tissues are not able to fully function.
It is quite easy to notice the first signs of the disease, so the problem can be eliminated at home without resorting to hospitalization.
For this purpose, preventive and therapeutic measures are recommended, the purpose of which is to activate the smooth muscles of the intestine.
Most often this disease is diagnosed in:
- infants;
- preschool children;
- pregnant women;
- women with asthenia;
- pensioners.
Causes of atonic constipation
To successfully defeat a disease, you need to know the reasons that contributed to its development. A properly selected treatment package guarantees the patient’s complete recovery. The most common causes of atonic constipation are:
- lack of mobility, physical activity;
- problems with intestinal motility;
- monotonous menu;
- non-compliance with diet;
- increased concentration of lime in drinking water;
- insufficient daily amount of fluid consumed;
- "lazy bowel" syndrome;
- inflammatory processes in the body;
- exhaustion of the body due to excessive physical exertion;
- erosions, ulcers of the digestive system;
- constant stress;
- consequences of taking certain medications;
- menopause in women;
- consequences of surgical operations of the gastrointestinal tract;
- excess weight;
- postpartum period and pregnancy in women;
- dehydration accompanied by high fever;
- poisoning of the body with toxins;
- endocrine disorders;
- scanty food intake;
- lack of fiber-rich foods in the daily menu;
- abuse of smoking, drugs, alcohol;
- uncontrolled use of laxatives;
- frequent administration of powerful enemas;
- past infectious diseases;
- sudden weight loss.
Constipation in children
There are several factors that can cause spastic constipation in a child:
- for young children - transition from breastfeeding to artificial nutrition or other food, introduction of new complementary foods;
- in older children - eating sweets;
- stressful situation.
It is better to treat a child’s illness with folk remedies, since they do not have a detrimental effect on the child’s body. But for therapy to be effective, it is important to eliminate stress factors.
Symptoms of atonic constipation
When a patient periodically has problems with bowel movements, the symptoms of the disease are a response to the general condition of the body and manifest themselves:
- accumulation of large amounts of feces (while stretching the intestine, feces put pressure on nearby organs, causing discomfort in the form of tingling pain in the lower abdomen);
- rare bowel movements (up to 2 bowel movements per week or less);
- bloating;
- accompanying the act of defecation with pushing;
- dense structure and large diameter of feces;
- a feeling of bursting from the inside;
- dry feces;
- cracks, tears in the anal mucosa;
- irritability, lethargy;
- general deterioration of health;
- loss of appetite;
- presence of blood in the stool.
In advanced conditions, toxic decomposition of feces occurs in the intestines. Patients experience deterioration of their skin condition, headaches, and fever.
Diagnosis of the disease
In order to determine the type of constipation and its stage, as well as prescribe treatment, people suffering from constipation are advised to undergo a preliminary diagnosis, consisting of several stages.
First, the doctor examines the patient’s general condition, takes an anamnesis, and then visually evaluates the appearance of the stool. It is the color, size, and consistency of feces that make it possible to identify atonic constipation.
A sign of the disease is large, dark, dense, dry feces.
At the same time, initially during the act of defecation the consistency of stool is dense, and towards the end it is normal. The final stage of diagnosis is to identify the causes of the pathology and prescribe adequate treatment.
What patients with atonic constipation should not eat
For atonic constipation, it is recommended to refrain from:
- pure eggs;
- chocolate;
- mushrooms;
- mustard;
- coffee;
- smoked meat and fish;
- horseradish;
- strong tea;
- semolina;
- bread and pastries;
- combined and animal fats;
- canned food;
- alcohol;
- hot seasonings;
- garlic;
- radish;
- Luke;
- white rice;
- radishes;
- fatty creams.
What it is?
The autonomic nervous system, which is not subject to human will, is responsible for normal peristalsis. This department independently controls the internal organs, sending impulses. Intestinal peristalsis is carried out due to the sequential change of sympathetic and parasympathetic signals, causing spasm and relaxation of muscle fibers through the release of acetylcholine. Several waves are constantly passing through the intestinal tract. In a healthy body, both types of signals are balanced and aimed at performing the function of cleansing the intestines through the excretion of feces.
Excessive accumulation of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine contributes to spastic muscle contraction. This type of stool retention often occurs during stressful situations and hard work. If there is a lack of this substance, the muscles come to a relaxed state.
On a note! With atonic constipation, intestinal tone deteriorates, making it difficult to evacuate feces.
There may be blood in the feces, since defecation is accompanied by the release of large amounts of feces. With spastic constipation, stool comes out in small portions, reminiscent of goat feces. There is excessive gas formation and cramping pain in the abdomen.
Atonic constipation affects not only the patient’s well-being and health in general, but also the quality of life. Moreover, this condition may be a sign of a dangerous disease that requires immediate medical attention.
Timely detected atony is not a serious problem. It can be easily eliminated without resorting to hospitalization!
Methods for treating atonic constipation
The most important factor in the treatment of this disease is the normalization of the diet and the preparation of an individual diet, which is dominated by foods rich in fiber.
To restore intestinal function when treating atonic constipation in children, a menu with a predominance of liquid and puree menus is prescribed. For adults, doctors most often recommend laxatives for intestinal atony.
Usually, for patients suffering from constipation, doctors develop special diet and bowel movements schedules, which they should try to adhere to.
Perfectly strengthens the muscle tissue of the peritoneum - gymnastics. Simple exercises and abdominal massage are beneficial for both adults and children.
Treatment with medications for atonic constipation is prescribed when the use of other preventive methods does not improve the condition of patients.
To stimulate peristalsis, the drugs montana, ganaton, and proserin are most often used.
Laxatives for intestinal atony, for example, bisacodyl, isafenin, castor oil, regulax, are indicated for prolonged absence of bowel movements.
It is worth limiting the use of laxatives, since the duration of their use causes the body to become dependent on the dosage, changes the structure of the mucous membrane, disrupts intestinal motor function, reduces the amount of electrolytes, and provokes allergies.
Suppositories are prescribed to children, pregnant women, pensioners, and patients who have side effects from drug treatment. They are administered rectally at night. The course of treatment is 7-10 days. Glycerin suppositories are considered the safest and most effective. This treatment method is contraindicated only in patients with inflammation of the rectum and hemorrhoids.
Medical procedures such as Charcot's shower, oil enemas, and massage will help change the structure of stool. The duration of the course of treatment is determined individually, taking into account the complexity of the disease, general symptoms, and the body’s sensitivity to these procedures.
What are the dangers of constipation?
It is no secret that prolonged stagnation of feces in the intestines is undesirable and can lead to a number of disorders. In particular, this is the activation of opportunistic microflora, the passage of microbes and their toxins through the intestinal wall, which is a risk factor in the occurrence of complications of pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period (threat of miscarriage, untimely discharge of amniotic fluid, endometritis, etc.). Long-term constipation can lead to decreased performance, lethargy and fatigue.
If the factor influencing the formation of constipation is not eliminated in time, the large and small intestines become inflamed over time. A long stay of feces in the cecum can provoke its movement back into the small intestine.
It is important to take into account the fact that lack of treatment threatens constipation to develop into a chronic form. This, in turn, leads to the development of hemorrhoids and the formation of cracks in the rectum, and in the worst case, to the formation of tumors in the intestines.
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Home treatment
It is possible to normalize bowel movements in the early stages of atonic constipation without resorting to drug treatment. It is enough to change your diet, move more, develop the habit of doing simple physical exercises, and emptying your bowels at approximately the same time.
Prolonged atonic constipation should not be ignored. When there is no bowel movement for more than 4 days, it is important to take timely measures (for the first time, take a laxative for intestinal atony; for recurring constipation, consult a doctor and strictly follow his recommendations).
If constipation persists, you should consume bran as often as possible 5-10 minutes before your main meal. It is enough to drink them with water or kefir every day.
If the situation is extremely difficult and a visit to the doctor is postponed, you can take kefir with a few teaspoons of olive, castor or sunflower oil in the morning. The therapeutic diet should include foods rich in plant fiber. It is especially useful to eat pumpkin, cereals, prunes, carrots, and beets. Drinking 0.5 cups of freshly squeezed beetroot and carrot juice every day will help you forget about constipation forever.
Do not forget that sometimes constipation can be caused by concomitant diseases and self-medication will not give positive results. At the first symptoms of constipation, it is important to consult a doctor and find out the reason that made it difficult to remove feces from the body.
Diet and prevention
To prevent pathology, it is enough to adhere to the following recommendations:
- If you are prone to constipation, you should adjust your diet and exclude foods that strengthen the stool: sweets, flour, eggs, meat. Instead, eat more fresh fruits, vegetables, and cereals. They not only normalize the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, but also remove harmful metabolic products, toxins, cholesterol, and excess glucose from the body.
- Consume only stewed and boiled foods.
- Drink at least 2 liters of water daily. Thanks to the liquid, the stool softens and easily passes through the intestines, defecation occurs quickly and painlessly.
- Don't overeat. It's better to undereat a little than to overfill your stomach.
- Periodically carry out fasting days. To restore intestinal motility, it is a good idea to do a one-day fast.
- Never hold back when you want to have a bowel movement. Such delay always leads to illness.
- Use laxatives only on the advice of a doctor. Well, if the problem lasts for quite a long time, then first it is better to try folk remedies for constipation.
- Lead an active lifestyle, do gymnastics, walk more.
If you follow all these recommendations and carefully monitor the condition of your body, you can soon improve not only intestinal motility, but also overall health.
To protect yourself from atonic constipation, it is very important to follow a diet and lead an active lifestyle, this will contribute to timely bowel movements and proper bowel function.
Basic principles:
- Lead an active lifestyle;
- Strengthen the abdominal muscles;
- Eat more vegetables, fruits and water;
- Introduce fermented milk products into the diet;
- Reduce consumption of flour products, pasta, sweets;
- Don't overeat;
- Carry out fasting days periodically;
- If you want to have a bowel movement, do not restrain yourself.
By following all these recommendations, you will improve intestinal motility and overall health. Knowing the reasons why atonic constipation occurs, you will be able to promptly pay attention to changes in bowel function.
Diet for atonic constipation is a proven and optimal way to treat and prevent this condition. Even if the patient is prescribed medication, the diet must be adjusted to achieve a better result:
- Avoid chocolate, coffee, mushrooms, semolina, strong tea, and processed foods. You should not eat smoked foods, foods high in salt and spices;
- The diet for atonic constipation and bloating is aimed at including high-fiber foods in the menu. Eat oatmeal and buckwheat porridge, bran - they are rich in this useful substance;
- Include more raw fruits and vegetables in your diet. Carrot and beet juice are especially useful, but it is better to refrain from eating pears and cabbage;
- Take food on schedule, but in small portions; do not overeat - this leads to various problems with the gastrointestinal tract;
- It is worth limiting the consumption of sweets, white bread and fatty meats - they are real enemies of the intestines.
For preventive purposes, you need not only to eat right, drink enough water, but also exercise. Today, it is a sedentary lifestyle that causes fecal stagnation, leading to a decrease in the standard of living and other problems for thousands of people.
Having found out the symptoms and methods of treating atonic constipation, you should not refuse a visit to the doctor. A specialist will help you deal with a delicate problem much more effectively. Modern diagnostics can identify dangerous intestinal diseases that cause constipation in the early stages, so there is no need to ignore delayed bowel movements and drink laxatives uncontrollably - you will only harm yourself. To prevent this problem from arising in the future, it is recommended to review your diet and eat only wholesome, healthy foods.
Administration of enemas for atonic constipation
Quite often, doctors prescribe it to patients for constipation. Depending on the complexity and duration of the disease, enemas are:
- Cleansing (prescribed to normalize the pH and cleanse the colon; prepared on the basis of compositions of medicinal herbs - calendula, chamomile, oak bark).
- Oily (soften stool and make it easier to pass). The peculiarity of such enemas is the oil heated to a warm (38 ° C) state. Placed overnight. The act of defecation is observed after 7-9 hours.
- Prepared saline solutions (irritate the sensitivity of the receptors in the membranes of the walls of the large intestine, significantly soften feces; prepared in the ratio: 1 spoon of salt per 0.01 liter of water).
Enemas are contraindicated in patients with disorders of water-salt metabolism, inflammatory processes of the colon, intestinal obstruction, and lesions of the abdominal cavity.
As an alternative to enemas, you can use traditional methods for treating atonic constipation (after consulting a proctologist). Decoctions of oats, dill seeds, wheat, and flax have proven themselves well.
Pickles from pickled vegetables, honey, dried compotes, lingonberries, vegetable juices, dairy products with the addition of melted butter, baked fruits and vegetables, aloe, bran, anise tea, rowan syrup also help to cope with constipation.
Do not overuse self-medication. If after a few days there is no improvement, you should contact a medical facility and undergo an examination.
Dietary products for atonic constipation
Adjusting the menu is important not only to eliminate the causes of constipation, but also to improve intestinal motility, water absorption, and normalize acidity levels.
- Be sure to start the day with raw vegetables and fruits (this can be salads, compotes, purees).
- Vegetable soups, lean meats, starters, baked vegetables, seafood, viscous porridges, fruit casseroles, and legumes are allowed.
- Apricots, figs, cherry plums, plums, and melons are especially valuable.
- Dairy cuisine (kefir, fermented baked milk, cottage cheese, milk) is suitable for both children and adults.
- Be sure to consume vegetable oils daily.
- Greens, pickled vegetables, fresh still water are useful.
- It is recommended to drink teas made from rose hips, thyme, wheat bran, fruit juices, and compotes.
When constipation is rare, you should not give up this kind of diet. The above products are also useful when consumed daily as a preventive measure.
