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Why Do I Keep Getting Constipated?
Question:
I have had blood in my bowel movements for a long time. I have a history of digestive problems and still get constipated sometimes, although I avoid dairy products, wheat, sugar and processed food. I have had psoriasis and eczema since birth. I don't deal with stress well and I am often tired. Can you help?
Answer:
Without a full medical history, I can only give you general advice, but this may help your symptoms. I am sure that doctors have checked your colon for colitis, tumours and other sources of blood in stools. If not then I suggest you get these investigations done now. It is likely that the cause of some of the symptoms is your constipation. This dries the lining of the colon, which should be moist Without lubrication, stool masses can't be pushed out easily. Chronic constipation can cause the lining to develop cracks, rather like chapped lips. This results in small amounts of bleeding which is probably what you are seeing in your stools. The dryness may also result in ulcerations (open wounds) on the bowel lining, which may also be the cause of the bleeding.
When you are constipated, you push with the abdominal muscles to evacuate the bowels. The pressure can cause swelling in veins in the anal region. These veins have valves, which ensure that blood only flows towards the heart. But the pressure makes the valves defective, allowing the blood to flow backward until it reaches the next valve that is working correctly. This causes a reservoir of blood to form in the vein, pushing out the walls of the vein and forming a haemorrhoid (which is similar to a varicose vein). Hard stool masses passing over these delicate haemorrhoids can cause abrasions and bleeding. Haemorrhoids are 'internal' when they lie above the anal ring and 'external' when they protrude outside.
Regarding your other symptoms, constipation and digestive problems may cause mineral malabsorption, which leads to a deficiency in the blood. This can result in chronic fatigue and irritability. The cause of psoriasis is stilt not clear, but if you try what I suggest below you may, get some relief from your skin conditions, too. You will also find information about treating them on my website.
For constipation
* Drink two litres of pure still water daily between meals; eat figs, papaya, spinach, prunes and beetroot .
* At bedtime, take lsabgol psyllium husks or Cytoplan psyllium husk powder : put two tablespoons, or as directed, in a mug of warm water, stir, mix in one teaspoon of manuka honey and drink quickly before the contents become gelatinous; drink two glasses of water afterwards to wash it down.
* If you are very constipated (one or two bowel movements a week), take Qurs Mullayan, an Unani remedy from an ancient European system of medicine - one at bedtime for two months - or Herbolax tablets: two at bedtime for two months.
For other digestive problems
* Avoid yeast products, citrus fruit, spiced food, canned products, ready-made sauces, coffee, beer, champagne and red wine for three months.
* Eat slowly and chew your food thoroughly.
* If you wish, sip a little water during meals, but only drink larger quantities at least 45 minutes before and after meals.
* Take Biotique Stomach Formula : one twice daily for two months.
* Since you lose blood sometimes, you must keep your iron level up. Iron tablets would exacerbate the constipation, so you must rely on natural sources unless you are anaemic. Eat foods such as spinach, pomegranate, liver and red meat (organic if possible), cherries and red' apples, which will all help to replenish your blood.
For your skin problems
* Drink an infusion of kadu twigs in the morning for two months (soak two in a cup of hot water at night). This will help to detoxify your gut and control candida overgrowth, which may be affecting your skin.
* Take a general tonic such as Biotique Bioprash : one tablespoon mixed with a little manuka honey and water every morning for two months.
For general energy and health
* Massage your neck and shoulders for five minutes every night at bed time with Biotique Lifestyle Oil . The tension in these areas will decrease and the blood flow to the brain will improve. This will make you calmer and improve your sleep.
* Listen to a relaxation tape, such as Dr Ali's Relaxation Tape by Sanogenetic Solutions to calm your mind at bedtime.
About the Author
I have obtained MD in General Medicine with Honours in 1980 and joined The Central Institute of Advanced Medical Studies in Moscow for post graduation in Acupuncture. I have completed diploma courses in Acupuncture, Anesthesia, Iridology, Hypnotherapy and Clinical Fasting. Practicing as Integrated Medicine expert.
Visit my health shop - http//www.drmalishop.com
121 Crawford Street, London, W1U 6BE
Caught in a Stress Storm?
Imagine you're on your way to meet friends at a bar. You're late and stuck behind a slow-moving van when the entire street lurches into darkness. Suddenly that man crossing the street in front of you looks like a potential robber. The cars around you seem to be hemming you in. Everyone and everything appears dangerous. You've gone from slightly stressed to completely strung-out in an instant.
When you finally get to the bar, your friends are deep in conversation about blackouts, crime and their plans to leave the country. What should have been a light-hearted, fun-filled evening has turned into one riddled with anxiety.
It's as though a cloud of dark heaviness is hanging above us right now. Most of us are unaware of the extent to which worrying issues are affecting us. But if a high level of stress continues over a long period, paralyzing feelings of being overwhelmed can set in.
Many of us could be in the heart of what is termed as a 'stress storm'. Have you ever been in the situation where, because of stress, you couldn't remember the name of one of your own family members? Perhaps you're stuck in a depression, or maybe you've accomplished something great but the next morning you don't want to get out of bed because you're so down.
These are indications that you are caught in a stress storm - a place filled with fear and confusion, where you're no longer thinking rationally. If this sounds familiar, read on to understand better what's happening to you - and how to get to grips with it.
Why are we so Stressed?
In the USA we have a set of stressors to contend with - high crime rates, rising costs of food and gas, and an economic situation in which retrenchments are increasingly common. These compound everyday stressors such as work, family conflicts and financial pressures. We don't let our bodies or minds relax, and develop distorted perceptions about ourselves - for example, we may think we're accepted only if we're performing well.
When people are taxed on so many levels, their resilience rapidly erodes. Most people can deal with one stressful area in their lives - even two - but few people can function optimally when every area of their life is affected by instability and stress.
Stress Poisoning
Our bodies are built to handle stress in short, sharp bursts, but when there is no let-up, stress can in fact be toxic for our bodies. When we're stressed, our adrenal glands pump out cortisol. This 'stress hormone' is preparing our muscles for the fight-or-flight response triggered when our lives are in danger. All energy is diverted from other functions, such as digestion, giving our bodies a burst of energy to ensure we can fight or flee if necessary. Modern stressors, however, such as traffic jams, don't come and go quite as fast as, say, an attacking buffalo. Consequently, the cortisol and adrenaline that our stressors produce never leave our bodies - our lives are constantly turned to a high-alert setting.
On a physical level - which is where symptoms are easiest to detect and treat - stress may show up as migraines, headaches, muscle aches and pains, skin breakouts (acne, psoriasis, eczema) and stomach problems (including irritable bowel syndrome and constipation). Emotionally, we become more prone to outbursts of temper, mood swings and negativity. Mentally, we feel less able to cope. Our outlook becomes distorted and it becomes very difficult to keep our perspective. Highly stressed people become 'reactive'. This means they react more to everything in their lives, from the lack of milk in the fridge to the geyser bursting. We become so overwhelmed that we literally get ‘beside ourselves’.
Living on Autopilot
Jane, 27, a fashion planner, knows this feeling all too well. While working in a high-pressure corporate fashion job reporting to a demanding boss, she was being pushed to work longer hours and perform tasks she didn't feel prepared for.
‘As the pressure built up over about five months, I began feeling increasingly anxious. My short-term memory started to let me down and I would forget things I was meant to do. For example, I'd walk into a room and then go blank, forgetting why I was there. I felt confused all the time and began talking more slowly and slurred my words. I lost a lot of weight and at the height of my stress my right arm would get very tense and feel taut. It's a scary place to be. It can feel as though you don't know yourself - as though you're having a mental meltdown.'
This feeling is not uncommon. Stressed people often describe themselves as being on autopilot - as though they're participating in the show of their own life, but not starring. They're overwhelmed and often feel clumsy, awkward and off-centre. They may forget names of people or even the names of simple, everyday objects. This is due to the prolonged periods of cortisol production, but also, because we're trying to remember too many things.
High levels of stress can affect our relationships too. Some people, like Jane, are too tired to go out and socialize, and often feel they're a burden on other people. 'Friends tried to help,' remembers Jane. 'I'd lost a lot of weight so they could see I was in distress but they didn't really know how to help other than telling me to chill out’.
Others may drink more to be more sociable or in an attempt to forget, so the glass of wine suddenly turns into a bottle of wine. According to research women could be more prone to developing stress-related addictions (such as cocaine addiction) than men. The good news, though, is that stress is our body's way of telling us to do something. But what?
The suggestions below are a good start. Don't knock them for sounding obvious - at least not till you've actually tried them.
Stress Busters
Gain Perspective
Understand that there are certain things in your life that you have control over and others that you don't. If, for example, you are concerned about the political situation, vote. If you're concerned about crime, join or start a neighborhood-watch program. Be proactive about things you can influence and let go of those you can't.
Breathe
At work, if you find yourself getting stressed or anxious, go somewhere quiet and concentrate on your breathing. Imagine your breathing is like waves breaking on a beach. Maintain a regular rhythm. Imagine you are breathing all the way down to your toes when you breathe in, and all the way back up again as you breathe out.
Eat Well
Don't hand your power over to food and drink. That fatty hamburger isn't going to release your stress. Rather ask, ‘What will this drink or food do to my body over the long term?’ Cut down on sugar. Sugar gives you a temporary lift followed by a downer. If you're craving something sweet, try eating fruit or a handful of nuts. Drink lots of water. Stress tends to dehydrate the body. Keeping your body hydrated will lessen stress symptoms such as fatigue and headaches.
Exercise More
One of the most effective ways of dealing with stress is to exercise. Try to do some form of exercise at least three times a week for 30 to 60 minutes.
Develop a Positive Internal Dialogue
This is a powerful way to help ourselves when we're stressed. We tend to feel anxious about things we have no control over (the future, other people), and most of what we fear never happens. Remain in the moment. If you start to stress about tomorrow, remind yourself that you can only live today - tomorrow does not yet exist.
Talk to a Professional
Jane consulted a psychologist, who helped her see that getting through her stress storm meant removing herself from her stressful job. 'I took three months off, stayed home and just slept, watched TV and did nothing.' She saw her psychologist for a few months and gradually became her old self again, but this time with the tools to recognize and avoid another stress storm.
About the Author
Sandra Prior runs her own bodybuilding website at http://bodybuild.rr.nu.
