Constipation is a condition characterized by difficulties to defecate on a regular basis. There are two forms of constipation, one of which is occasional, and usually manifests itself during pregnancy, and the other which is chronic, when the constipation lasts for over 6 months. The defecation frequency varies from one individual to the next, some of them passing stool 3 times a day while others have only three bowel movements per week. However, constipation is characterized by hard and dry stools that cause pain around the anal region during evacuation. Stress, anguish, haemorrhoids and idleness are all factors that favour constipations. Homoeopathy, renowned for its treatments deprived of side-effects, can cure constipation according to the condition’s causes.
Occasionally, some patients only consult a doctor or a homoeopath after 3 to 6 months of constipation. In this case, prior to drawing up the prescription, the homoeopath studies the patient’s history, asks about his or her eating habits and analyses the ongoing medical treatments taken by the patient that could eventually be the source of the constipation. The patient’s psychological state is also taken into account, particularly in regard to his or her work and family environment. Three criteria must systematically warn patients: not feeling the need to evacuate for relatively long periods of time, the need to defecate that proves to be unsuccessful, and a bowel movement that requires a lot of effort. It is based on these parameters that a homoeopath will be able to prescribe the best possible treatment.
The most recurrent symptom among constipated patients is the additional efforts required when passing stools, on top of which that faecal matter is not only dry but also hard. In this situation, the most suitable homoeopathic treatments are Anacardium, Alumina or Lycopodium. These three homoeopathic remedies prevent stools from getting dehydrated in the colon and facilitate their evacuation. The stools’ dryness and hardness can also be a sign of sluggishness of the bowels, thus requiring a Lycopodium-based homoeopathic treatment to stimulate these organs and to prevent constipation.
When stools accumulate along the colon, they cause pain to the rectum. This accumulation causes the stools to dry up, resulting in anal pain and sometimes the emergence of haemorrhoids at the time of evacuation. Due to anal fissures, the pain may recur at every bowel movement. This type of chronic constipation can be treated with Ignatia or Hydrastis, both of which have the ability to relieve rectal pain. Three daily doses of Graphites 5 CH will be prescribed if the patient has haemorrhoids with anal injuries as well as thick, hard stools.
Some patients who suffer from constipation frequently feel the need to defecate but are unable to evacuate. This is an imbalance resulting from irregular transit. To remedy this, take daily three doses of Nux Vomica 5 CH to restore the transit. The homoeopath will eventually replace the homoeopathic remedy with Magnesia, depending on the specifics of each patient’s constipation.
Dehydration causes constipation due to the fact that vital organs are no longer irrigated, on top of which the mucous membranes and stools also end up dried out. Homoeopathy does not only target the hard stool problem, but also deals with this kind of dysfunction. At first, the patient must drink enough water, meaning at least a litre and a half (3.17 pints) per day. The homoeopath will prescribe Bryonia Alba 5 CH to deal with dry mucous membranes, in three doses to be taken throughout the day. If, instead of being bulky, the stools have a fine and dry appearance, the prescribed homoeopathic remedy will instead be Causticum, while Opium 9 CH will be administered to those who do not feel the need to defecate or those who produce pencil-sized stools during bowel movements.
Good to know: In case of constipation, homoeopathy restores the normal frequency of bowel movements. Homoeopathic remedies are effective regardless of the form of constipation because they act directly on the affected organs, such as the liver or the mucous membranes
