Symptoms of constipation include, besides inability to evacuate, a feeling of fullness in the lower abdomen, a sensation of dullness, or even moderate pain in the head. Many people think these symptoms are caused by poisons formed in their bowels and absorbed into their blood, but such symptoms seldom result from poisons. They are caused by irritated mucous membranes and by reflexes from nerve endings in the intestinal tract.

In many cases of chronic constipation, there is a spastic condition of the sigmoid part of the descending colon on the left side of the abdomen, with a dilated and inactive condition of the ascending colon on the right side. In some cases, a larger portion of the colon is spastic. This condition can usually be diagnosed with X-ray studies. Because the spasticity may be made worse by irritation, it may be well for a time to puree fruits and vegetables so they will be free from coarse fiber and roughage. It maybe inadvisable to take bran, so often recommended as a remedy for constipation. Later, when regular bowel action has been reestablished, such precautions will be less important.

Massage may be of value if properly given. It should be firm, deep kneading, not merely rubbing of skin. It should begin low down on the right side , move slowly upward with a combined rolling and kneading motion to the lower margin of the ribs, then horizontally across the abdomen to the left side, and finally down the left side of the abdomen as far as possible.

WHAT TO DO

1. Try to learn the type and causes of your case of constipation. You may need the services of a physician in doing so. If he finds that surgery or other special treatment  is needed to remove the cause, this should be arranged. The treatment program suggested below would be useless in certain cases, and it might cause dangerous delay in correcting conditions that should not be neglected. The following is intended for use in cases where no tumors or organic defects complicate the situation.
2. Eat an abundance of fruit and vegetables, fresh and cooked.
3. Drink at least 8 glasses of fluid – chiefly water and fruit juices – everyday.
4. Go to the toilet regularly every day – preferably soon after breakfast – whether you feel the need or not. Also go immediately whenever you feel the urge.
5. If not able to have a bowel movement otherwise, take a saline enema at the end of a regular stool visit, but not oftener than once in three days. A douche bag with a capacity of at least a pint may be employed. The bag or can, should be hung not more than two feet above the person’s head. Placing it higher gives the stream excessive force. To this bag or can, a length of rubber hosing is attached. At one end of the hose is a nozzle, made of bone or vulcanite, or the end of the hose itself, rounded off maybe introduced into the rectum. A soft nozzle is preferable since it is likely to injure the fragile inner surface of the lower intestine. To receive the enema, the patient can sit up instead of lying down if the purpose is to empty the lower part of the bowels rather than to cleanse the intestines, and the liquid once it has entered maybe permitted to emerge at once.
6. Three times a day, take two tablespoonfuls of powdered brewer’s yeast stirred into a glass of tomato juice or buttermilk. (This usually will not have to be continued more than a week.)
7. If possible, take half an hour or more of outdoor exercise daily, including running or walking.

This information was collected from the New Illustrated Medical and Health Encyclopedia and Modern Medical Guide.