Does your laxative or fiber supplement don’t relieve your constipation and you have to spend a lot of time on the toilet straining and pushing to move your bowels?
If the answer is yes, then most probably you are suffering from lazy bowel syndrome. It is also known as slow transit constipation where there is a slow movement of waste through the digestive system because of reduced motility of the large intestine.
The large intestine moves waste from the small intestine to the rectum through a process called peristalsis, which is characterized by rhythmic, muscular contractions of the intestinal walls, controlled by nerves of the enteric nervous system.
Causes of lazy bowel syndrome
- Congenital (i.e. present at birth)
- Abnormalities of the enteric nervous system causing reduced or blocked peristalsis
- Intestinal blockage like tumor)
- Damage to anal muscles
- Unhealthy bowel habits such as delaying bowel movements
- Eating disorders, such as anorexia or bulimia
- pelvic floor dysfunction
- Prolonged use of certain medications such as opioids
- Excessive use of stimulant laxatives
- Lack of physical activity
- Stress and anxiety
Signs and symptoms of lazy bowel syndrome
- passing bowel motions infrequently less than a few times a week
- Constipation
- Painful bowel movements
- Abdominal pain
- Bloating
- Nausea
- Poor appetite
- Urge to have a bowel movement only very infrequently
- Hard stools that are difficult to pass
Homeopathic Remedies for lazy bowel syndrome
Nux Vomica
Nux Vomica is one of the most effective remedies when there is a constant urging sensation in rectum for a stool which never comes, or a small portion of stool may be passed with this urging sensation. Even after passing stool many times a day, there is a never “got done” feeling causing constant uneasiness in the rectum. Abdominal pains with awful nausea, particularly when a patient feels very sick at the stomach, feels “If I only could vomit, I would be so much better.” It is well suited to people who love to eat fatty food, easily get chilled, and avoid open air.
Bryonia Alba
Bryonia is an excellent remedy for relieving constipation when there is a hard, dry stool that passes in lump form. There is great difficulty in passing the stool. Stools look as if burnt. There might be involuntary evacuation of stool during sleep. There is a burning sensation with the passing of stool. Cramp-like pains along with pinching and cuttings in the abdomen, especially after eating or drinking . Feels worse in the morning, from moving, in hot weather or after being heated.
Alumina
Alumina is extremely helpful for constipation in children, infants, bottle-fed babies and among elderly persons. The keynote of this remedy is that there is no desire for passing stool for days. Stool is hard as stones. The people who need alumina have a craving for abnormal things like chalk, charcoal, dry food and tea-grounds. There is an aggravation from potatoes, salt, wine, vinegar, pepper and from spirituous drinks. Stomach is distended with gas and can have sour vomitings.
Lycopodium
Constipation of long standing. Stools are hard and difficult to evacuate. Feeling of fullness in rectum continues after a copious stool. Burning and biting sensation in anus while passing stool. Feels hungry but gets full just after one bite of food. Stomach gets bloated with a large amount of gas. Likes to eat or drink hot food.
Silicea
Constipation from inability of the rectum to expel the faeces although there is constant urging to pass the stool. Stool comes down with a difficulty, after a lot of straining but when partly expelled, recedes back again. There is always a burning or stinging feeling in rectum during stool.Constipation always before and during menses. There is an aggravation after drinking milk.
