Changing lifestyles are weakening the intestines, one in four adults suffers from constipation; read about preventative measures.

News Topical, Digital Desk : Considering constipation merely a problem of indigestion could be a grave mistake. According to doctors, constipation is directly related to intestinal health. Changing lifestyles, poor eating habits, laxity, stress, and irregular routines have weakened the intestines, leading to an increase in constipation. Constipation is now becoming a serious public health issue.

Lifestyle is a major factor 

According to available studies, 22 percent of adults are affected by constipation while in children that figure has reached 29.6 percent. Control children, youth and elderly. When the balance of these bacteria gets disturbed in every age group due to frequent fast food, irregular lifestyle, lack of fiber, eating at irregular times and stress, the intestinal movement slows down.

There are different. The condition gradually turns into a disease. It is not effective to apply general suggestions to all. Constipation can take the form of a disease. According to the experts of SGPGI, the intestines not only digest food but also affect the body's immunity, hormonal balance, metabolism and mental health. It has been observed in a large number of people coming to Gandhi PGI that the intestines do not only digest food but also affect the body's immunity, hormonal balance, metabolism and mental health.

The good bacteria in the intestines (gut mycobiota) regulate intestinal motility. When the balance of these bacteria is disrupted due to frequent fast food consumption, low-fiber diets, irregular eating times, and stress, intestinal motility slows down. This condition gradually leads to constipation. 

Constipation can lead to a serious illness.

Among the patients who come to Sanjay Gandhi PGI, it has been observed that a large number of people suffer from constipation for a long time and, due to lack of timely treatment, they develop hemorrhoids, fissures, and other complications. Many patients present to the hospital when the problem has become quite serious.

It is necessary to improve habits

Experts say that certain habits in modern lifestyle directly contribute to constipation. Sitting for long periods of time, eating in front of a mobile phone or laptop, drinking too little water, overreliance on processed and fast food, repeatedly suppressing the urge to defecate, excessive stress, and irregular sleep patterns all disrupt the natural rhythm of the intestines. When this condition persists for a long time, constipation can become a chronic problem.

Constipation in working adults 

The biggest cause of constipation is a sedentary lifestyle. Sitting for hours, mental stress, excessive tea and coffee, late-night meals, and lack of sleep slow down bowel movements. Therefore, it's recommended to walk for a few minutes every hour, include fiber-rich grains and salads in your diet, avoid late-night meals and alcohol, and get adequate sleep. 

Constipation in the elderly is a warning sign 

According to Professor Anshuman Elhes of the Department of Gastroenterology, constipation in the elderly is not simply a result of age. Weakness of the intestinal muscles, decreased physical activity, and side effects of certain medications are also contributing factors. This problem is two to three times more common in older women than in men. As a special precaution for the elderly, it is important to include soft and easily digestible foods, adequate fluids, light walking, and yoga in your daily routine.

Constipation in Children: Causes and Solutions Different

According to Professor Ashok Kumar of the Gastro Surgery Department at SGPGI, the biggest causes of constipation in children are diet and daily routine. Children have become overly dependent on fast food, chips, pizza, and noodles. Avoiding fruits, vegetables, and fiber-rich foods weakens the intestines. Suppressing the urge to defecate in the morning, and lack of play due to mobile phones and television also contribute to constipation in children. Children should be given milk, fruits, porridge, and a balanced home-cooked diet.

Read More: Pneumonia and flu attacks increase in winter; doctors suggest 5 effective ways to prevent them.