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What Is The Cause And Treatment For Constipation?
Question: My 17 year old daughter, who is Chinese, only has a bowel movement once every six or seven days, I am worried that this is not only abnormal but could be serious in the long term?
Brief Answer:
Details below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
Passing a bowel movement once in a week is not worrisome if the stool is soft and she does not need to push hard for it. In case she has a hard stool then it needs to be treated.
She can take some simple measures in addition to the fibre and laxatives to have relief upto some extent-
1. Drink a glass of water before going to toilet. This will help in the increasing the bowel movements as well as compensate for the water loss from body decreasing the dizzyness.
2.Take probiotics- lactobacillus acidophillus spores.
3. Do acupressure-The point is at the highest spot of the muscle between the thumb and index finger when they are brought close together. With your thumb or middle finger at a 90 degree angle to the skin, apply gradually increasing pressure. Hold for three minutes. The pressure should not be painful or uncomfortable.
4.Take magnesium supplements or magnesium rich foods like green leafy vegetables.
5. Engage in regular physical activity. Not getting enough physical activity can lead to constipation.
6.Don't put off the urge. The longer you delay when the urge to have a bowel movement strikes, the more water gets absorbed from stool and the harder it becomes to have a bowel movement.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Details below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
Passing a bowel movement once in a week is not worrisome if the stool is soft and she does not need to push hard for it. In case she has a hard stool then it needs to be treated.
She can take some simple measures in addition to the fibre and laxatives to have relief upto some extent-
1. Drink a glass of water before going to toilet. This will help in the increasing the bowel movements as well as compensate for the water loss from body decreasing the dizzyness.
2.Take probiotics- lactobacillus acidophillus spores.
3. Do acupressure-The point is at the highest spot of the muscle between the thumb and index finger when they are brought close together. With your thumb or middle finger at a 90 degree angle to the skin, apply gradually increasing pressure. Hold for three minutes. The pressure should not be painful or uncomfortable.
4.Take magnesium supplements or magnesium rich foods like green leafy vegetables.
5. Engage in regular physical activity. Not getting enough physical activity can lead to constipation.
6.Don't put off the urge. The longer you delay when the urge to have a bowel movement strikes, the more water gets absorbed from stool and the harder it becomes to have a bowel movement.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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