Chronic constipation is a common concern in the general population, with a higher frequency amongst women. Constipation is defined as difficult, unsatisfactory, and/or infrequent bowel movements. It can cause a slew of bothersome symptoms including gas, bloating, and stomach pain, and can significantly reduce quality of life. Patients seeking our help for constipation are often unsatisfied with the conventional treatment options of laxatives and are actively seeking out holistic solutions.
The holistic treatment of chronic constipation involves treating the two main issues that tend to cause it. These issues are disrupted gut-brain communication leading to slowed gut motility and gut microbial imbalances. Let's dig deeper on each of these issues.
The bowels and the brain communicate with one another to help move stool along in an appropriate and effective manner. That communication can get disrupted by a variety of things including stress, food poisoning, bowel holding, poor bowel hygiene, medications, and so on. In the case of chronic constipation, the bowels and the brain stop communicating effectively and develop a 'new normal' where signaling is far and in between. As a result of poor signaling, the stool sits in the bowels for longer periods of time. This can cause the type of microbes that grow in the gut to change to unfavorable microbes that digest foods poorly and as a result cause gas, bloating, and stomach pain.
In order to treat constipation we need to address both issues. That means we need to get the bowels moving more often to re-instate normal gut-brain signaling and work on improving the gut microflora.
Are you curious to learn more about our constipation protocol? Book your free 15 minute consult with Dr. Shadi Tabaei to discuss if this plan is right for you.
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