Constipation and heart health correlation:
Constipation, an easy-to-identify condition, may be a marker for cardiovascular risk factors and increased cardiovascular risk in older women, according to the results of a large analysis.
The investigators hypothesized that because many of the factors that predispose a person to constipation are also risk factors for cardiovascular disease, constipation could be related to an increased risk of cardiovascular events.
Their evaluation of 73,047 participants of the Women’s Health Initiative revealed that those with moderate or severe constipation experienced more cardiovascular events (14.2 and 19.1 events per 1,000 person-years, respectively) than did those who did not suffer from constipation (9.6/1,000 person-years).
However, after adjustments were made for demographics, risk factors, dietary factors, medications, frailty and other psychological variables, the heightened cardiovascular risk remained only in the severely constipated group. After those recalculations, the women with severe constipation had a 23% higher risk of cardiovascular events.
Constipation was associated with increased age, black and Hispanic descent, smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol, family history of MI, hypertension, obesity, lower levels of physical activity, lower fiber intake and depression.
“Because constipation is easily assessed, it may be a helpful tool to identify women with increased cardiovascular risk,” Elena Salmoirago-Blotcher, MD, and colleagues wrote in the American Journal of Medicine.
What is Constipation?
Frequency of bowel movements differs among different people and may also vary in every person’s bowel habits. While some people have bowel movements daily, sometimes even two to three times a day, other people may move their bowels only once or twice a week. Constipation occurs when one’s bowel movements become less frequent than usual. When this happens after more than three days, it may be more difficult to pass stools because they become harder.
Symptoms of constipation include straining during bowel movements, passing hard stools, incomplete bowel movements, and having only two or less bowel movements in a week. Constipation may also be accompanied by swelling of the abdomen, abdominal pain and sometimes, vomiting.
What Causes Constipation
Constipation is often a symptom of bowel dysfunction rather than a structural disorder or disease. The most common causes of constipation include:
- Inadequate intake of water
- Inadequate fiber intake
- Disruption of diet or daily routine, such as traveling
- Immobility or inadequate exercise
- Stress or depression
- Eating too much dairy products
- Postponing bowel movements
- Overuse of stool softeners or laxatives
- Taking antacids containing aluminum or calcium
- Certain medicines
- Pregnancy
Certain health conditions may also be associated with constipation such as:
- Eating disorders
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Colon cancer
- Hypothyroidism
- Neurological conditions like multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease
Treatment and Prevention of Constipation:
Constipation is a highly preventable and treatable condition. Ways to prevent constipation include:
- Eating a balanced diet that includes high fiber foods such as fruits, and vegetables.
- Drinking at least 1 ½ to 2 quarts of water daily.
- Avoiding milk or coffee, which can cause constipation.
- Exercising regularly.
- Moving the bowels when the urge is felt.
- Colon hydrotherapy on a regular basis to keep the colon clear of obstruction.
For additional information, visit our website at www.detoxforlife.biz.
To schedule your next treatment contact us directly at (480) 949-6570
