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

Constipation and High Blood Sugar

Most people experience constipation at some point in their life. They make a note to eat more fiber and expect everything to go back to normal in a day or two. Luckily, for the better percentage of those inflicted, this method works. Not so lucky are the ones who are battling something much more serious than the occasional bout of constipation.

Constipation is a condition that can be very difficult to find the originating cause. There are so many different causes, from medicines to lifestyle changes, that pin-pointing the true cause of the constipation can be like finding a needle in a haystack.

One potential cause that medical experts are looking very closely at is the relation of high blood sugar and constipation. What effect does blood sugar have on the digestive system? Are diabetics at higher risk for constipation?

As it turns out, diabetics are definitely more at risk of experiencing constipation. Nearly 60% of all diabetics also suffer from constipation. Abnormal blood sugar levels can negatively affect many of the body’s systems and functions. When blood sugar levels are elevated, the nerves in the intestines that control the length of time waste stays in the body can be seriously damaged. The nerves can’t do their job properly and food waste begins to build up in the intestines. This doesn’t happen over night, of course. This condition affects type 1 diabetics who have been using insulin for a number of years.

Another disastrous effect high blood sugar has on the gastrointestinal system is Gastroparesis. Gastroparesis is when nerves in the stomach are damaged to the point that they can no longer work properly. The stomach doesn’t know when to send the food through the digestive tract. Up to 75% of diabetics also have Gastroparesis.

How Does High Blood Sugar Damage the Nerves of the Intestine?

High blood sugar damages the actual blood vessels that carry oxygen and essential nutrients to the nerves of the stomach and intestine, or the vagus nerves. With the necessary nutrients and oxygen severely reduced, or stopped from reaching the vagus nerves, the digestive system goes into a state of shock. The food waste backs up and it can cause terrible complications.

The difference between Gastroparesis and constipation is that with Gastroparesis, food waste gets stuck in or near the stomach, and in constipation the waste builds up in the small intestine. How can one tell a difference? Here are some of the symptoms of Gastroparesis:

• Vomiting of undigested food
• Bloating and loss of appetite
• Heartburn, acid reflux and nausea
• Dehydration
• Weight loss and stomach spasms

Gastroparesis can be a chronic condition and in severe cases require surgery to remedy.

Constipation can be diagnosed in a patient exhibiting the following signs:

• No bowel movements for 3 consecutive days
• Hard stools 25% of the time during bowel movements
• Straining at 25% of bowel movements
• Have two or less bowel movements per week

Treat the Cause, not the Symptom

It’s important to understand that constipation is a symptom and not the disease. By that, I mean there must be an underlying reason for the constipation. In this case, it’s the high blood sugar level that’s causing the constipation, not the other way around. You need to treat the cause to remedy the symptom. Treat the high blood sugar and your chances of experiencing constipation will decrease.

Constipation, while very dangerous if left untreated, is usually an easy condition to get rid of. Eating a healthier diet, with more fiber and water can greatly reduce the chances of constipation. Exercise can also have a great impact on keeping a healthy digestive tract. With both conditions, the key is to control your blood sugar levels. Healthy diets, exercise and water can help keep blood sugar levels closer to a normal level, but of course diabetics may still require assistance in controlling their sugar levels.

The New England Journal of Medicine did a study of class 2 diabetics and the effects that eating a high fiber diet can have on blood sugar levels. There were 2 groups of participants. In the first group, they were instructed to follow a diet that included 24 grams of fiber per day for six weeks. The second group did the same thing, but had to have 50 grams of fiber per day. After six weeks, the two groups switched diet regimens and followed that diet for six more weeks. It was found that when both groups were on the higher fiber diet, their blood sugar levels were lowered by 10%.

If you are diabetic and you are suffering from severe constipation, it’s time to get your blood sugar tested. The longer you wait, the more serious it can become.

The Colon Cleansing & Constipation Resource Center

http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/constipation-and-high-blood-sugar-89962.html