CHRONIC CONSTIPATION
Causes.—Improper foods, indoor occupations leading to a lack of fresh air and exercise, bad hygiene, certain drugs, such as cough sirups, etc., containing opium in some form, constant use of cathartics and enemas to move the bowels, heredity.
Dietetic Treatment: Foods to Be Avoided.—Highly spiced foods must be avoided on account of their astringent qualities, too concentrated foods because they fail to furnish the necessary bulk without which the waste matter cannot pass out of the body at a sufficient rate of speed to prevent putrefaction taking place in the intestinal tract.
Foods Stimulating Peristalsis on account of their bulk: Bulky foods, such as vegetables, cabbage, turnips, cucumbers, spinach, beans, celery, lettuce, etc.; cereal foods containing a high percentage of bran, bran bread and cookies, fruits such as raisins, prunes, figs.
Foods Acting as Stimuli to Intestinal Movements on account of their acid content: Limes, oranges, apples, prunes, figs, raisins, most fruit juices (blackberries excepted), rhubarb, tomatoes, cauliflower, spinach, onions, honey, and molasses; senna leaves likewise have a distinct action upon the peristaltic movement of the intestines, hence are included here.
Precautions.—Emphasis should be placed upon the dangers of (1) overeating any of the foods indicated in the above list and thus bringing about conditions more dangerous in result than the original disturbance; (2) the taking of drugs to move bowels on account of the ease with which the habit is acquired and the consequent inability of the bowels to move without such whips; (3) the taking of too little water, thereby allowing a too concentrated condition of the food mass and a consequent accumulation of substances which inhibit peristaltic action.
Use of Fats and Mineral Oils.—Olive and other vegetable oils, if not completely absorbed, are advised on account of their lubricating effects. The same can be said of the mineral oils which have no food value but in many cases furnish the lubricant necessary in certain individuals suffering from sluggish intestinal peristalsis.