Constipation and Depression

Constipation and depression have a history of coinciding with each other. Is it coincidence or is there an underlying reason? Constipation can be a painful and troublesome condition, but does it cause clinical depression? And on the other hand, can depression actually cause constipation? I hope to help lay these questions to rest for any one suffering from these two conditions.

We should first look at what the diagnosis for constipation consists of. Constipation is when the individual has two or fewer bowel movements within a week. If three days pass with no bowel movement, it could pose a serious health risk. The stool will continue to harden the longer it’s in the body, making it even more difficult to expel. Patients are also considered constipated if they experience hard stools, straining or incomplete evacuations 25% of the time they do have bowel movements.

Depression can be the result of numerous factors. Lifestyle changes, eating habits, loss of a loved one and health issues can play a huge role in depression cases. Depression can also be rather difficult to diagnose in many cases. Understanding the signs and symptoms of both of these conditions will help you to have a better understanding of what to look for, how to deal with them and how to prevent them.

How to tell if you may be Depressed

The two most obvious symptoms of depression include feelings of sadness or hopelessness and a general loss of interest in daily activities that usually bring pleasure. Depression can be difficult to diagnose properly because it truly is a condition of extremes. It can cause weight gain or weight loss. It can cause insomnia or the sufferer may want to sleep all day. It can cause pain to move while at the same time causing restlessness. And yes, it can cause constipation or diarrhea.

Depression affects the body’s entire system, not just the emotional aspect. It causes the digestive system to function improperly. Headaches and bodily pain are commonplace. In a state of depression, the brain actually isn’t functioning the way it’s supposed to. It’s no wonder that depressed individuals feel as though the world is falling down around them. In a sense, it really is.

In the brain, there are two chemicals that affect your mood. Serotonin and norepinephrine. These two chemicals work as transmitters, sending signals from the brain to the nerves in the body. When there is a deficiency in these chemicals, the signals don’t get sent and it throws everything off. It’s interesting to note, that in most cases, the body can actually fix the problem itself. Unfortunately, it can take 1 to 3 years for that to happen and deeply depressed sufferers can’t wait that long.

To replace the depleted serotonin and norepinephrine levels, patients are usually prescribed Antidepressants. One of the main side effects of Antidepressants is constipation.

Why constipation makes us feel depressed

While constipation in and of itself does not cause clinical depression, it can cause someone to feel depressed. The reason is again because of the chemicals in the brain. Constipation prohibits food nutrients from being absorbed by the body. These nutrients are needed for the brain to produce the right amount of serotonin and norepinephrine. When constipated for a long period, the lining of the small intestine can actually build up a layer of toxins that fully prevent any nutrients from being absorbed. Toxins that are normally expelled by the body through bowel movements now have nowhere to go but to be re-absorbed by the body, making matters even worse.

Women are prime targets for both conditions, especially while pregnant. The body’s hormones are going so berserk that depression is rarely not seen during or after pregnancy. Another stage in a woman’s life that brings on depression is menopause. It’s been shown that estrogen provokes dramatic changes in the brain’s activity.

What can be done to prevent constipation and depression?

When you’re not feeling good, or feeling depressed about something, the most common thing people tend to do is head for some comfort food. It’s usually heavy and unhealthy but totally delicious, right? Unfortunately, those foods, when eaten in large quantities, wreck havoc on an already delicate gastrointestinal situation. It makes it almost inevitable that when you’re depressed, you’ll also end up constipated. It’s a vicious circle that many get stuck in.

The chances of becoming constipated and/or depressed can be dramatically lowered by eating a healthy diet and following a regular exercise routine. Avoiding alcohol and drugs can save the body from many traumas, both mental and physical. Try to follow a regular sleep pattern. Most importantly, if you begin to feel depressed, or have thoughts of suicide, you need to seek help as soon as possible.

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The Colon Cleansing & Constipation Resource Center

http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/constipation-and-depression-89922.html

Effects of Constipation on the Heart

Have you ever been constipated to the point that you were sure you were going to have a heart attack? All the straining and forcing can definitely put a strain on your entire body, but does constipation itself have any adverse effects on the heart?

First off, it’s important to know the signs of constipation and understand what it is. Constipation is not so much a condition as it is a symptom of a much larger issue. The larger issue could be something as simple as a side effect of a prescription medicine or as complex as a health risk, such as diabetes. Constipation can have nearly infinite causes, so it pays to know your body and how it works.

Constipation can be diagnosed when the following occurs:

• No bowel movements for 3 consecutive days
• Hard stools 25% of the time
• Straining and/or incomplete bowel movements 25% of the time
• Two or fewer bowel movements within a week’s time

As you can see, being diagnosed as constipated doesn’t always mean that you cannot have a bowel movement. Many people have bowel movements and are still considered constipated. It’s a matter of the quality, and not just the quantity, of the bowel movements that count.

The Heart of the Matter

Many of the same things that cause constipation can also be detrimental to your heart’s health. For example, high blood sugar causes constipation and can also cause heart problems. Just as a high fiber diet can dramatically help constipation; it can also reduce your chances of a heart attack.

In a study of French adults, it was proven that the higher the fiber intake, the lower the chances of high cholesterol and blood pressure or of being over-weight. All of which affect both the heart and constipation. High fiber diets also show to lower abdominal obesity as well as blood sugar levels. The recommended amount of daily fiber is between 25 and 35 grams. The average American eats about 15 grams per day.

The proper amount of daily water soluble dietary fiber can help control diabetes, hemorrhoids, constipation, intestinal polyps, diverticulosis and even reduce the risk of colon cancer. It can even significantly reduce cholesterol within 4 weeks. Fiber has scientifically been shown to be a valuable ally in the war against many cancers, stroke, hypertension and coronary heart disease.

Virtually every one of the most notorious health killers can be impacted by eating a diet that’s high in fiber. So, it’s plain to see how constipation can affect the heart. When you’re constipated, it can be a warning sign that something is wrong with your body internally.

While low fiber intake can certainly be a reason for constipation, it’s important to remember that there is always a possibility of an underlying reason for your constipation and many of these reasons can also affect your heart.

Give Your Heart a Break!

Many health experts agree that the best thing you can do for your body is a periodical colon cleanse. It rids your body of years of built-up sludge and mucous that sticks to the inside of your intestines. When your intestines get clogged with all that matter and debris, it makes it extremely difficult for your body to absorb nutrients that are needed for it to function properly.

Everything starts with the colon. If your colon is clogged and dirty, your immune system will suffer, your risk of cancer is higher, your heart works harder and you are actually self-poisoning yourself since toxins are being re-absorbed into the body instead of being expelled. A clean colon will increase your metabolism, allowing you to lose weight easier and give you a sense of overall well-being.

Oxy-Powder is a product that can cleanse the colon as well as build a healthy environment for good bacteria to grow within your intestines. Oxy-Powder is an all-natural solution that can help constipated sufferers on their first step to a healthier lifestyle.

Oxy-Powder uses a unique combination of oxygenated magnesium, germanium and citric acid to leave your colon clean and fresh. And that’s exactly how you’ll feel too! If your colon is clogged and sluggish, you feel and act like it. Likewise, when you colon’s clean, you’ll feel lighter and experience energy like never before.

Use Oxy-Powder to clean out all of the deep down sludge and grime that’s been collecting in your colon over the years. Restore your vitality and actually receive the nutrients from the foods you eat. Your heart will work more efficiently and many of the dangers that can affect your heart can be alleviated before they have a chance to do any real damage.

By using Oxy-Powder, you can treat the constipation and in turn be doing your body a world of good. The tips for a heart healthy lifestyle? Increase your fiber intake, drink plenty of water, exercise regularly and periodically cleanse your system with a product like Oxy-Powder. It’s as easy as that.

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The Colon Cleansing & Constipation Resource Center

http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/effects-of-constipation-on-the-heart-89945.html