Ask a Healer Colon Health Series

How to Cure Chronic Constipation - Triggers to monitor
Copyright, Neva J. Howell

Constipation causing hemmorrhoids?

This is part of a series of articles on chronic constipation.

On this page, we are talking about some of the more common constipation triggers, including stress, diet and work or travel challenges.

If you've arrived here directly, please start with part one on chronic constipation, part one


What Causes Constipation

What causes constipation varies from individual to individual but there are certain situations that can easily trigger constipation and so I'm covering four common triggers. In addition to the constipation triggers below, other causes include certain prescription drugs, anesthesia given during surgery and colon cancer.

Travel-related constipation: Travel-related elimination problems are a big one for me. If I drive over four hours in a day without stopping, I often end up with a problem

I've learned to respect my body by stopping at every rest area in route. I don't just stop but get out of the car and walk around for at least 5 or 10 minutes.

While I'm stopped at that rest area, I also stretch and twist from side to side, swing my arms, roll my shoulders and neck and shake out the tension in my legs.

While driving, I practice arching the lower part of my back against the seat periodically and then stretching the other way, to stretch out the colon area.

If I'm driving over 4 hours in a day, I take a stool softener in time to have it start working by the time I reach my destination. And I drink more water.

If I'm traveling on a plane, I get up and walk the aisle, even if people don't like it. I also go into that cramped little bathroom several times, and do some stretches, sitting on the dinky little toilet ... cause people really wouldn't like that happening in the aisle, ha.

Work-related constipation: If you have a sedentary job, like typing at a computer all day or answering the phone all day, you have to make time for stretching.

I set a timer for an hour and each time it goes off, I get up, stretch, walk up and down the hall and drink some water.

You can also push your chair back from the desk and lean over toward the floor and then, sitting back up, stretch both arms behind the chair.

If your job won't allow for an hourly walk down the hall, just getting up and sitting straight back down a few times every hour is better than not getting up at all.

Stress-related constipation: When I know I'm under a lot of stress, I try to remember not to compound the damage by eating badly. I will take a natural stress formula like Calms Forte, listen to soothing music, go for a walk in nature or get around some carefree children and listen to their laughter.

Stress is probably the single-most common factor in chronic constipation because stress effects every process of the body, including digestion and elimination. Stress-related constipation can lead to insomnia and other stress-related conditions too, if not addressed.

Diahrrea can also be induced by stress: While stress causes constipation in my own experience, others report the opposite but equally bothersome effect on their bowel movements....in other words, when stress stays around too long, they develop diarrhea. Whichever way over-acting to stress effects your eliminatory health, it is important to reduce stress reactions when colon problems result.

Breathing slowly and deeply, while deliberately releasing worry thoughts and stressful reactions in the body, is one of the best ways to bring balance to the system which has been compromised by stress. What we unconsciously do instead is to begin taking short, shallow breaths or even holding our breath longer than we need to hold it. These reactions just trap and build stressful energy in the body.

Meditative tapes, repeating a positive affirmation or prayer, dancing, walking outside in nature and laughing are all great natural stress-reducers.

Diet-related constipation: Certain foods are a recipe for constipation. The main culprits are red meat, sugar and white flour. If prone to constipation, eating these sparingly or not at all can help greatly.

Cheese is also a food that creates elimination problems for some, myself included.

If I choose to eat red meat, sugary foods, refined flours or cheese, I take steps to prevent constipation, such as taking a natural laxative, drinking more water, and balancing with a high-fiber drink or food bar.

Digestion tip: Whenever eating meats, especially beef, try taking an enzyme high in protease before the first bite.

If you suffer from chronic constipation, you may want to read about the natural remedies that are available for restoring normal bowel movements.

Medication-Related Constipation: A common side effect of prescription medications for pain is constipation. Other prescription medications may also list constipation as a potential side effect. Check with your doctor to see if constipation is typical with your meds and ask for either a change in meds or something to help with constipation. Milk of Magnesia works well for most folks with medication-related constipation but that should be cleared with your doctor before you take it. I have some natural constipation remedies listed here.

Part Three: Symptoms of being constipation
Part Four: How to cure chronic constipation
Part Five: Natural constipation remedies
Related: #1 recommended constipation remedy
Part Six: Colonics and Coffee Enemas
Part Seven: Additional Constipation Remedies

Eliminatory Health Disclaimer: While travel, stress, diet and work situations can contribute to eliminatory health issues like being chronically constipated, there are also more serious possibilities when you are not having normal bowel movement for any extended period of time. You should rule out diverticulitis, IBS, Krohn's and colon cancer, if the lifestyle changes above do not take care of the problem or if you experience more severe symptoms than would suggest simple constipation.