CHRONIC CONSTIPATION

Chronic constipation is so universal a condition that it must be treated and overcome whenever it is possible. This condition is not only the cause but the result of disease. It may be induced by improper food, poor hygiene, sedentary habits, lack of exercise, the taking of drug preparations such as cough sirups which contain opium in some form, the constant taking of cathartics and enemas, or it may be an hereditary condition.

Diet, Exercise, and Fresh Air.—The chief means of overcoming this deplorable chronic condition is by regulating the diet and increasing the amount of exercise in the fresh air.

At times it is necessary to resort to artificial stimulation of the intestinal movements; at others, on account of the disease of which it is only one of the symptoms, it is dangerous to irritate the already inflamed mucous membranes lining the intestinal wall. In these cases the physician prescribes the method of procedure. In ordinary cases, however, the following suggestions may be used as a guide in overcoming the condition.

Available Foods.—It must be borne in mind that the food must not be too concentrated in character or it will be so completely absorbed as to leave little or no residue for the feces, and since the waste products of metabolism, both of food and body materials, must be eliminated, a certain amount of fecal matter is necessary to assist in this work. Vegetables, such as celery, turnips, lettuce, asparagus, string beans, spinach, and beans, lentils, lima beans, and onions; fruits, such as raisins, figs, and prunes; and cereals which have not had all the bran removed, such as cut oats, cracked wheat, etc., on account of the cellulose they contain, act admirably in overcoming chronic constipation. It is found, however, that when even these are not sufficient in certain cases, bran added to the food, either alone, with the breakfast cereal, or in the form of biscuits, muffins, or cookies, will give just the necessary amount of ballast to the food mass to make it stimulate the peristaltic movements by its pressure upon the intestinal walls.

Stimuli to Peristalsis.—Foods yielding certain acids exert a stimulating action upon intestinal peristalsis.

Available Foods.—Those particularly valuable for this purpose are limes, oranges, apples, prunes, figs, raisins, and most fruit juices (with the exception of blackberries, which are constipating), tomatoes, and rhubarb. The fruit juices may be diluted with water or carbonated water (in the latter case the action is increased because of the gas contained in the water), and taken the first thing in the morning, or the fruit may be eaten at night before retiring, and in the morning on an empty stomach. Prune pulp or prune jelly may be given to children as well as to adults. The action of this fruit is augmented by the addition of senna leaves. A conserve made of prunes, figs, and raisins given in teaspoonful doses at night and before breakfast often gives splendid results in curing chronic constipation.

Gas-forming Foods.—The eating of foods which give rise to a slight formation of gas owing to their tendency to ferment likewise acts as a stimulus to intestinal movements. Among these may be mentioned honey, molasses, cauliflower, cabbage, spinach, and onions. If the honey and molasses are poured on bran muffins or biscuits, on breakfast food, or added as sweetening agents to cookies, they will be found particularly valuable. Care must be taken, however, not to give too much of either of these foods or they will disturb the digestion and do more harm than good.

Use of Salt Foods.—Foods such as herring, caviar, anchovies, ham, etc., on account of the salt they contain, exert a stimulating effect upon the movements in the small and large intestines. Graham bread, spread with brown sugar, molasses, or honey, makes an acceptable addition to the meal of the majority of children and to that of many adults.

Fats and Mineral Oils.—The use of fats is often recommended; olive oil may be given in tablespoonful doses before breakfast and at night or it may be served on vegetables and salads. If one or two tablespoonfuls are taken at night and before breakfast, it may act as a laxative. In many cases, however, this oil is completely absorbed in the small intestine and hence there is none left to lubricate the passage for the food mass. When vegetable oils do not prove satisfactory, mineral oils may be substituted. These oils have absolutely no fuel value and are not digested in the intestinal canal but mix with the fecal mass, softening it and stimulating its passage through the large intestine. There are certain individuals with whom the mineral oils do not act as lubricants and instead of softening the feces and lubricating the passage will slip through the intestinal canal without carrying the feces along.

Sample Diet Sheets.—The following menus are suggested for the use of individuals suffering with chronic constipation:

Breakfast

7 A.M.Orange juice and water.
8 A.M.1 bran muffin with honey and cream.
1 or 2 slices of bacon.
Whole wheat biscuits.
A cup of coffee, cereal coffee, or hot milk (not boiled).

Luncheon

1 P.M.Casserole of beef made with lean beef.
Turnips and potatoes.
Graham bread or muffins and honey or preserves.
Milk or “hot water” tea.

Dinner

Tomato bouillon.
Roast lamb.
String beans.
Potatoes baked with jackets on.
Celery salad, dressed with plenty of oil and lemon juice.
Prune jelly with whipped cream.

Breakfast

Prunes and figs cooked together.
Slice of ham with 1 soft-cooked, poached, or scrambled egg.
Whole wheat or bran biscuits.
Coffee with cream and sugar.

Luncheon

Vegetable soup.
Pork and beans.
Boston brown bread.
Baked apple (skin eaten).
Oatmeal wafers.

Dinner

Roast beef.
Spinach or cauliflower served with butter sauce.
Cold slaw.
Pineapple jelly (pineapple left in), whipped cream,
or
Date and fig pudding.