ALS And Constipation

Although we make light of ALS and constipation, it is a horrible experience that should never be overlooked by an ALS patient. Weight loss, weakness, and dehydration result from frequent constipation-induced appetite loss.

Constipation can lead to intestine blockage, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal distension. (Vomiting is extremely dangerous for someone who is unable to turn over while lying on his back because it causes choking.).

One early symptom of clogging is frequently overlooked. Small loose or liquid stools may be ignored or thought to be sufficient when, in fact, they are the result of a large amount of hard stool blocking the bowel and only liquid stool passing around it.

The blockage can become severe enough to necessitate hospitalization and, in extreme cases, surgery.

What is Constipation?

Constipation occurs whenever the colon soaks up too much water or when the muscle contractions that cause bowel movement are slow and sluggish. It makes using the bathroom difficult, painful, and less frequent during these times.

Constipation causes the stool to become hard and dry, making it more difficult to pass. Everyone's body has its own elimination schedule based on dietary and lifestyle habits, but constipation occurs when you go three days or longer without a bowel movement.

Read also: Meditation For Constipation

Causes Of Constipation In People With ALS

Many factors contribute to constipation in people with ALS, including:

Medications used to control saliva or pain, for example
Decreased stomach emptying or transit time
Reduced fluid intake due to swallowing difficulties
Difficulty pushing due to abdominal and/or pelvic muscle weakness
Decreased physical activity due to muscle weakness and fatigue
Reduced dietary fiber intake as a result of changes in food preferences

Symptoms Of ALS and constipation

There is a wide range of symptoms associated with ALS. Constipation can be a problem from the beginning of the disease and become increasingly difficult to manage as it progresses.

Maintaining a healthy fluid intake and eating enough high-fiber foods can help with health and well-being in the short and long term.

How To Manage Or Treat Constipation

To treat and manage ALS and constipation, a comprehensive and individualized approach that addresses hydration, diet, mealtimes, bowel routines, and medications is required. A team-based approach could address the following issues:

Increase Fluid Intake
Avoid Unhealthy Foods
Regular Physical Activity
Stress Reduction
Fiber-Rich Diet
Regular Evacuation of Bowels
Monitor Medication Intake
Taking Vitamins
Fruits

Increase Fluid Intake

A healthy person should drink at least 8 glasses of water per day. You may require more water if you are physically active.

Water helps the body's biological functions, regulates body temperature, and eliminates waste. Constipation can be relieved by drinking plenty of water. Fruit juices can also be included in your diet.

Avoid Unhealthy Foods

Cheeses, dairy products, unripe bananas, meat, fatty foods, high protein foods, fast foods, preservatives and dyes, and processed foods are all common causes of hard stools.

These foods tend to disrupt your digestive tract's natural rhythm and make it difficult for your body to process and assimilate the foods you've eaten.

Regular Physical Activity

Constipation is common in sedentary people. Physical activity improves circulation and digestion. It aids in the removal of waste.

Constipation can be treated with yoga and breathing exercises. Walking can also help if your bowel movements are irregular.

Stress Reduction

Tension can cause constipation. Stress has an impact on the entire body; you may become fatigued, your immune system may be compromised, and your gastrointestinal processes may be disrupted. When you are stressed, foods ferment and stagnate in your intestines for a longer period of time, allowing constipation to occur.

Fiber-Rich Diet

Constipation is primarily caused by junk foods and highly processed foods. Dietary fiber-rich foods must be included in your diet for a healthy digestive system.

Green leafy vegetables, apples, papaya, pineapple, oranges, oats, beans, whole grain bread, brown rice, and so on are examples.

Limit your consumption of meat and white bread. Fiber bulks up your feces, making them easier to expel.

Regular Evacuation of Bowels

Use the restroom, when necessary, rather than waiting until you are unable to wait any longer. Delaying going to the bathroom can disrupt your body's natural processes.

You should try to have a bowel movement every day at the same time of day so that your body is ready to do its job.

Monitor Medication Intake

Some medications, such as pain relievers, can cause constipation. Stool hardening is also caused by iron supplements.

Monitoring your medications and researching their potential side effects can help you avoid bowel irregularities by taking the necessary steps to treat constipation.

Taking Vitamins

Adequate vitamin intake allows the entire body to function normally. When you get enough vitamins, your body can digest foods better, break them down, and convert them into energy more efficiently. Take a vitamin supplement every day to ensure you get the right number of vitamins.

Read also: Chiropractor For Leg Pain

Fruits

Fruits are high in fiber, which aids in colon cleansing and prevents constipation. Except when they have pesticides and preservatives in their outer skin, they do not leave any slime residue on the body when eaten.

They do not ferment or putrefy in our intestines like processed foods, dairy products, and meats do.

Fruits should be consumed when fully ripe. If they are underripe or overripe, do not eat them. They may be acidic if they are underripe, and they may contain more natural sugar if they are overripe.

Apples, apricots, avocados, blueberries, boysenberries, cantaloupes, cherries, figs and dates, grapes, lemons, papayas, peaches, pears, persimmons, plums, prunes, and raspberries are all good for constipation.

Fruits are an effective natural remedy for ALS and constipation. To relieve constipation, eat fruits every day and between meals. Aside from these fruits, there are numerous herbs that can be used to treat constipation naturally.

Triphala, a herbal combination of three natural herbs (haritaki, amalaki, and bibhitaki in equal parts), has also been found to be beneficial in the treatment of constipation. It is a natural colon cleanser that helps to prevent constipation.

Read also: Leg Pain And Menopause

A Word From GetMe Treated

I recommend that you experiment with your diet and other treatments to see what works best for you.

This will necessitate that you are serious about finding a solution to your ALS and constipation problem because if you are committed enough, you will be able to be constipation-free.

The key to relieving constipation will be patience and taking one step at a time, but I can guarantee that life is so much more joyful without constipation, and I hope to see you on the other side.