VOLUME 6 • ISSUE 3 • MARCH 2012
A SLICE OF ORANGE Refreshing Your Health
DOWN IN THE DUMPS Moving your bowels is part of your body’s waste disposal system, and should be done regularly. But some people do not do it as regularly as they should. In this issue, find out:
Down in the dumps
• That you may already be
constipated but not know it
• How to successfully relieve
constipation for good.
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DON’T KEEP IT INSIDE. IT’S TIME TO TAKE OUT YOUR BODY’S TRASH. SUCCESS! Several years ago, there was a squabble on where Metro Manila could dump their solid wastes. There was a standoff for several weeks, resulting in garbage being uncollected by the local governments during this time. Trash piled up everywhere: sidewalks, corners, and road center islands. Driving around the metro with the windows down was an unpleasant experience, both to the eyes and the nose—Metro Manila turned from one of the world’s largest metropolis to one of the world’s largest landfills.
A SLICE OF ORANGE
VOLUME 6 • ISSUE 3 • MARCH 2012
THIS STORY HIGHLIGHTS THE IMPORTANCE OF TAKING THE TRASH OUT REGULARLY, INCLUDING YOUR BODY’S WASTES. IN THE SAME WAY THAT FILIPINOS TAKE A BATH EVERYDAY TO FEEL FRESH OUTSIDE, WE NEED TO MOVE OUR BOWELS REGULARLY TO FEEL GOOD INSIDE. A CONSTIPATED PERSON CAN FEEL LETHARGIC, BLOATED, AND GENERALLY UNWELL.
What is constipation?
way with your bowel habits, visit a doctor
water is reabsorbed from the stool, and
Constipation in adults has several
for a more thorough assessment. 2) You may
the harder the stool gets.
definitions:
not experience any abdominal pain when
1. Bowel movements that has become
you are constipated, but this does not mean
Because of this vicious cycle, it is better
that you do not need any treatment.
to prevent constipation than to treat it by keeping to a diet high in fiber and
less frequent than usual
2. Difficulty during defecation, which
Constipation in itself may not be a
fluids. Regular exercise also helps prevent
requires straining or has a subjective
disease. Instead, it may be a symptom
constipation by preventing stool from
feeling of passing hard stools
of many medical conditions. Some are
hardening and improving the contraction of
3. A sensation of incomplete bowel
life-threatening, such as colon cancer and
the large intestines. And if you feel you need
movement.
intestinal obstruction. Non-life threatening
to go, go. The opportunity may only knock
causes include some medications
once, before you spiral into constipation.
This definition tells us that, in general, the
(e.g., antihistamines and antacids) and
diagnosis of constipation is subjective. One
endocrine problems (e.g., diabetes and
Clearing the clog
healthy person may move only once in three
hypothyroidism), among others. But the most
Before we even start talking about how
days, and that could be considered normal
common cause is a diet low in fiber and/
to treat constipation, make sure that the
for him. Others may move daily, but has
or fluids.
problem is not caused by a disease, life-threatening or otherwise. If you suffer
difficulty during the process, which means A diet low in fiber and fluids can cause
from fever, weight loss, vomiting, bloating,
constipation by making stool hard. Water
abdominal/rectal pain, blood in the stool,
Some words of caution: 1) Constipation
makes stool soft, while fiber holds on to
or feel a mass in your belly, visit a doctor.
can become a long-term problem. Many
the water, keeping stool soft. But the large
Do not try to treat the constipation all
constipated people have been constipated
intestine reabsorbs water from the stool,
by yourself.
for such a long time that they think that their
making stool harder and more difficult to
current bowel habits are already their normal
move. As you can see, constipation can
You may think that taking a laxative is
rhythm, when in fact, they are actually
lead to further constipation, because the
the first thing to do when you become
constipated. If you feel unsatisfied in any
longer you remain constipated, the more
constipated. And in the short term, this
they have constipation.
A SLICE OF ORANGE
VOLUME 6 • ISSUE 3 • MARCH 2012
may work. However, laxatives can become
Take natural laxatives. Certain
yourself a lot of time. This may mean several
habit forming: if you take it for too long,
foods either contain lots of fiber, or stimulate
minutes of sitting on the throne. It may also
you will not be able to move your bowels
the natural movement of the large intestives.
mean you may need to wake up earlier
without it. If you stop, you become more
Pile these, together with lots of water, onto
than usual so that you will not rush the deed
constipated. Use laxatives only for a few
your diet:
if, for example, you choose to do it before
days at a time, and/or always use it in
going to work.
conjunction with other methods to help
• Almonds
normalize your natural body rhythm.
• Aloe vera • Apple and apple juice
CONSTIPATION IN ITSELF MAY NOT BE A DISEASE. INSTEAD, IT MAY BE A SYMPTOM OF MANY MEDICAL CONDITIONS.
• Celery • Coffee • Grapes • Guava
ALL THESE STEPS WILL HELP YOU FEEL FRESH ALSO ON THE INSIDE AND HELP YOU ACHIEVE “SUCCESS”!
• Orange (the fruit with pulp, not the juice) • Papaya • Peach
Secondly, you have to make a habit of it
• Pear
by trying to do it at about the same time of
• Pineapple
the day. Go sit on the throne even when
Here are other suggestions you might want
• Prune and prune juice
you do not feel like moving. And you may
to consider:
• Tea
have to do this more than once a day. Find a time that is most comfortable to you—for
Soften your stool. Water up.
Take your time; make it a habit.
example, in the morning and then at night.
Water not only prevents constipation, but
Moving your bowels is very much like sleep.
This way, you can discover which time is
treats it too. It is completely useless to try to
First, you have to be relaxed, and the more
really best for you.
treat constipation if your stools are dry and
you stress yourself trying to do the deed, the
stone hard. If water alone doesn’t work, try
less successful you are. Tension slows down
All these steps will help you feel fresh
using a stool softener, such as a glycerine
the movements of the colon and your anus
also on the inside and help you achieve
rectal suppository.
closes shut. When you need to move, allow
“success”!
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Looking to enhance your corporate healthcare benefits? E-mail us at benefits@activelinkbenefits.com. The information in this newsletter is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Consult a doctor for all matters relating to your health, particularly for symptoms that may require diagnosis or medical attention. © 2012 ActiveLink
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A Slice of Orange
is a newsletter designed to help clarify basic health information and offer juicy tips on uplifting your health.
Editorial team Alvin Delfin Christine Llenes-Delfin Ivan Olegario, MD