Constipation
A large number of cases of constipation become chronic because of the failure to respond to Nature’s call at a regular time each day. Many others are due to weakness of the muscular walls of the intestines or to the nerves controlling them. In this event the intestinal peristalsis is weak.
Constipation may be mechanical, due to obstruction of the intestine in some part of its course, e. g., prolapsus, tumor, or a kink in the bowel itself.
Still another cause is a failure of the liver to discharge sufficient bile into the intestines to lubricate the feces.
Many chronic cases are due to the pill and drug habit. When one continues to take pills, the condition brings a result similar to the feeding of “predigested” food—if the work is done for the organs they become lazy and rely on artificial aid. Every part of the body requires activity for strength.
If the intestines are cramped by the clothing it may cause constipation by restraining their normal exercise during movements of the body in walking, etc. Exercises for the intestines should be taken morning and night.
Constipation may exist even when there apparently is a daily movement of the bowels. Material may accumulate in the large intestine because only a part of the contents is discharged and may cause the unpleasant symptoms which accompany constipation.
It may arise from irregularity in meals, or from overeating, thus causing derangements of digestion from disturbance of the normal process.
Insufficient food may cause it, because the mass is not large enough to be acted on by the muscular movements of the intestines.
Too much strong tea, by its astringent action, lessens the secretions of mucus and causes the mass to become too dry.