What does functional constipation mean

Constipation is a very common phenomenon in daily life. Many people often suffer from constipation. When constipation occurs, defecation will be difficult and the number of bowel movements will be significantly reduced. Nowadays, constipation is no longer a common problem among the elderly. Many young people also suffer from constipation. Constipation has become a very serious problem affecting people’s lives and health.

What is functional constipation

Functional constipation refers to chronic constipation in the absence of organic causes, structural abnormalities or metabolic disorders, and excluding irritable bowel syndrome. Patients with functional constipation may have symptoms such as hard stools, difficulty in defecation, a feeling of incomplete defecation, and decreased frequency of bowel movements.

Causes of functional constipation

1. Due to bad eating habits

This results in insufficient mechanical or chemical stimulation in the food (such as cellulose in vegetables) or too little intake, especially the lack of food that leaves a lot of residue. This causes insufficient intestinal stimulation and weakened reflex movements, leading to constipation.

(ii) After the total peristalsis of the colon

The fecal mass enters the rectum, causing a defecation reflex. However, when the urge to defecate is often ignored, the place and posture of defecation are inappropriate, and strong laxatives or colon cleansing are often taken, the sensitivity of the bowel reflex may be weakened. As a result, even if feces enter the body, it is not enough to cause effective nerve impulses, so the defecation reflex cannot be produced, resulting in constipation.

3. Depression or excessive excitement

It causes conditioned reflex disorders, strengthens the inhibition of parasympathetic nerves by higher pivotal points, and strengthens the function of thoracic and lumbar sympathetic nerves distributed in the intestinal wall, thus causing constipation. A considerable number of patients with functional constipation had psychological disorders before the onset of the disease.

(IV) Bad living habits and lack of sleep

Continuous high mental stress can also cause abnormal peristalsis or spasmodic contraction of the colon, thus causing constipation.

① The food is too little or too refined, lacking fiber residues to stimulate colon movement. ② Pregnancy: Smooth muscle motility decreases in late pregnancy, which may be due to the effect of progesterone.

③Changes in life patterns.

④ Certain drugs: such as opium, morphine, codeine, anticholine and ganglion blocking drugs, sedatives, antidepressants, certain antacids (calcium carbonate, aluminum hydroxide), etc. In addition, frequent use of alcohol and laxatives can reduce the sensitivity of the intestines, thereby causing or aggravating constipation.