Probably the most important imbalance commonly found in the human body falls into the category of constipation. It is not just the lack of, or difficulty in, elimination that supports the diagnosis of constipation, as many patients will report good elimination when they are in fact constipated. According to the classic ayurvedic definition, constipation occurs when elimination does not take place naturally, first thing upon rising. The stool should be fully-formed and floating. Upon flushing, the stool should break apart.
Most people develop constipation after years of either an imbalanced lifestyle or diet.
In general there are a few contributing factors. The most common is the suppression of natural urges resulting in the subsequent disappearance of the normal eliminative urges. For example, first thing in the morning, typically at or before dawn there should be a natural urge to eliminate. Our pets, for example, are let out first thing in the morning as an understood respect for this natural urge. We often find this natural urge inappropriate or inconvenient at certain times and force ourselves to suppress them.