, 1934-11-25
Posture, Diet, Regular
Habits VIII PreUent
Constipation

BY DE- MOhh1S EASHBEKN
Editor. Journal o. the American Medical Association.
and Of HygeiA the Health Magnzins
Sit straight. stand erect. eat bulky foods. be regular
in your habits. and avoid worry.
Here you have the formula for q normal digestion
and prevention OF constipation. There Is no need for
l~axatives or cathartices. II you stick to this regimen.
Furthermore. once you become dependent on such
abnormal stimuli. youGl find it difficult 10 do with
out them.
Constipation Is a symptom. not a disease. It Is,
therefore, necessary. in handling any case in which
this symptom Is the subject Of complaint, to deter
mine the direct and predisposing causes. correct these
and so relieve the symptoms.
There are advocates Of various types Of bowel &C
ton. Some insist that the bowl should empty itself
at least three time in "a hours. However. the vast
majority OF physicians believe that once In "a hours
is a satisfactory rate for most people.
Failure OF the colon or large bowel to empty itself
at least once in "a hours may be considered q sysmp-
tom Of constipation.
Those who advocate excessive activity OF the bowel
do 50 because they believe that constipation as a
symptom Is associated with a number or other serious
symptoms. They point TO the fact that chronic
constipation is usually accompanied BY the appear
ance Of hemorrhoids or piles.
These are varicose veins in the rectum. Pressure or
the mass Of material that is not emptied causes a
blocking Of the circulation and in that way may be
associated with development OF piles.
Sometimes accumulation OF waste material. by pres
sure and by its toxic character. may be associated
with and ulcers.
The presence OF discomfort, pain. nervousness, and
sleepIessness is, in some instances. due to failure Of
- - a. 49, A.
insufficient amount Of bulk. bulky material being in
constipation are such factors as improper diet, with
itself a stimulus to bowel action.
Lack Of sufficient food may fail to give the bowel
its stimulus When there is insufficient water, the
material is dry and concentrated in amount.
One Of the most common causes Of constipation Is
failure to recognize the call and, as a result. failure
to create habitual action. Once a definite time IL
developed and regularly observed, constipation Is ex-
ceedingly infrequent. Hurry and worry are associated
with failure 70 observe the habitual call and q vicious
circle Is developed.
Authorities who study the posture OF the human
being are convinced that standing in a sagginE post
ure or slunping in your seat may be associated with
constipation through failure to develop properly the
abdominal muscles.
When you stand with the abdomen well I'm. or Sit
erect with the chin and abdomen well In. the alb
dominal muscles are firm and their firmness Is re-
Elected In the activity OF muscles or the bowels.
From this analysis. correction OF the ordinary case
OF constipation should be fairly obvious Observance
Of good posture. use OF foods with sufficient bulk and
with a slightly laxative character, and use OF water
Cat least eight glasses q day. are effective hysienic
measures.
Establishment Of q regular time for emptying the
bowel, development Of a state Of mind which will
heed regularly the natural call to empty the bowel,
and relief from worry and strain viii all help 10 over
come a tendency TO i~nfrequent bowel action.
In addition you might try corrective exercises in
bending and walking, and massage Of the abdomen.
beginning with the hands at the right hip and mas
saying gently across the abdomen down the left groin.
This type Of massage follows the path Of The colon.