Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Probiotics For Constipation Help Restore Natural Balance

By Kristen Baird


The scientists who first viewed human microorganisms had little idea that all people host a vast number of these creatures. The nearly 1000 species that live inside human beings number around 200 trillion in total, far more than the stars in the Milky Way. They are well known for being essential to human life, and include bacteria, archaea, and fungi. Probiotics for constipation help by reestablishing healthy colonies in the gut.

Most people experience difficulty emptying their bowels of organic waste at some point in their lives. Constipation not only creates an underlying feeling of sub-par health, but also causes straining and pain during elimination, irritating blood vessels and sometimes encouraging hemorrhoids. There may be generalized abdominal bloating, nausea, and even vomiting.

The primary cause is lack of bowel water content, inadequate amounts of dietary fiber, and physical inactivity. Stress creates the problem for some, and others develop it when they consume milk products, or even when the daily routine is interrupted by travel. Laxatives and antacids are designed to relieve digestive upsets, but they actually trigger constipation in some people.

In instances where there are no underlying conditions such as Parkinson's disease, an eating disorder, or hypothyroidism, the condition is not difficult for a doctor to diagnose. Most suggest waiting at least two weeks before calling for an appointment. When the problem persists, blood tests are recommended to check internal balances, and if there is suspicion of an intestinal obstruction, a barium study may be needed. Colonoscopy exams can reveal the presence of cancer.

Most of the time constipation eases by drinking more water, eating more vegetables and fresh fruits that are rich in natural fibers, and making a real effort to become physically active. Makers of over-the-counter remedies currently enjoy an enormous market for those products, but the prime solutions for the problem are not necessarily pharmaceutical, and involve changes in lifestyle.

If it does become necessary to use supplements to restore natural internal balances, there are a wide variety available today. Lactobacilli, the minute organisms making their home in the digestive tract, may need re-introduction, especially after a regimen of antibiotics. Adding to that population is thought to reduce chronic abdominal pain in children who are constipated, and some women report fewer vaginal infections.

The colon is also host to bifidobacteria, which are the most prevalent. Not only do they reduce straining during elimination as well as bloating, they also play a role in seemingly unrelated functions such as reducing childhood tooth decay. In adults they improve metabolism, and others are vital for enzyme production, in addition to combating the negative effects of bacteria present in food.

While many people increase probiotic populations by altering their diet, others rely on supplements. They have become extremely popular, but are not regulated by the government as food or medication. The huge number of choices makes it important to know which ones will most benefit a particular condition, including constipation. Most doctors are willing to advise patients regarding their use, and it may be necessary to try more than one before achieving success.




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