| Digestive System
What is Constipation?
Constipation refers to the inability to defecate. Hard, small and difficult-to-pass stools are the most frequent complaints. The frequency of defecation and the consistency and volume of stools vary so greatly from individual to individual that it is difficult to determine what is normal. In general, most nutritionally orientated physicians recommend at least one bowel movement a day.
What Causes Constipation?
There are a number of possible causes of constipation, but the most common cause of constipation is a low-fibre diet. Other common causes include: inadequate fluid intake, lack of physical activity, various medications (e.g. anaesthetics, antacids, diuretics), low thyroid function, and the irritable bowel syndrome.
What is Diarrhoea?
Diarrhoea refers to an increase in frequency, fluidity and volume of bowel movements. Diarrhoea is a common symptom that usually indicates a mild, temporary event. However, it may also be the first suggestion of a serious underlying disease or infection.
What Causes Diarrhoea?
Diarrhoea is divided into four major types: osmotic, secretory, exudative and inadequate-contact.
- Osmotic diarrhoea can be the result of carbohydrate malabsorption (e.g. lactose intolerance), magnesium salts, and excessive vitamin C intake.
- Secretory diarrhoea can be the result of toxin-producing bacteria, hormone-producing tumours, fat malabsorption (e.g. lack of bile output), axative abuse, and surgical resection of the small intestine.
- Exudative diarrhoea can be caused by inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis), pseudomembranous colitis (a post-antibiotic diarrhoea caused by an overgrowth of the bacteria Clostridium difficile), and bacterial infection.
- Inadequate-contact diarrhoea is the result of surgical removal of sections of the intestine.
What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional disorder of the large intestine with no evidence of accompanying structural defect. IBS is characterised by some combination of abdominal pain or distension; altered bowel function, constipation or diarrhoea; hypersecretion of colonic mucus; dyspeptic symptoms (flatulence, nausea, anorexia); and varying degrees of anxiety or depression. If you have symptoms suggestive of IBS, please consult a healthcare practitioner for an accurate diagnosis.
What Causes Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
There appears to be four main causes of IBS: stress, insufficient intake of dietary fibre, food allergies, and meals that are excessively high in sugar. Stress increases colonic motility (the rhythmic contractions of the intestine that propel food through the digestive tract) leading to abdominal pain and irregular bowel functions.
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