People mean many things when they say they have constipation. The infrequent passing of stools, difficulties in voiding, sense of incomplete voiding are all suggestive of constipation. The normal reference range for bowel movements is very varied. Some people have bowel movements three times a day; others, only one or two times a week.

Medically, constipation is defined as fewer than three bowel movements in a week. Constipation may be considered severe when there is less than one bowel movement in a week.

SYMPTOMS-

Infrequent stools with no other complaints are rarely abnormal. Women are more affected than men. The elderly and children are however most prone to constipation. Hard, difficult to pass stools which require straining or manual removal with fingers - felt more than 25% of times. Stools infrequent, less than three times a week.The sensation of incomplete voidance. Other symptoms that a person with constipation may feel are:

The abdomen may seem bloated, distended or crampy.

The bowel sounds may seem enhanced. 

CAUSE-

Many factors contribute to the development of constipation. Different people will have a different set of causative factors.

• Insufficient fiber intake in the diet.

• Not chewing the food properly / eating hurriedly.

• Reduced water intake.

• Various medications

• Iron supplements

• Antidepressants, tri-cyclic anti-depressants.

• Anti-convulsants

• Diuretics

• Stopping cigarette smoking.

• Abuse of laxatives.

• Medications containing calcium and aluminum.

• Endocrine disorders like - underactive thyroid.

• Any severe illness like stroke, paralysis.

• Major changes in life like pregnancy, old-age or traveling.

• Psychosomatic causes like depression and anxiety neurosis.

• Biochemical imbalance ' low potassium levels in the blood.

• Lead poisoning.

Conditions that obstruct the normal passage of the stools within the intestines ' foreign bodies in intestines, strictures, adhesions, tumors, etc.

• Abdominal surgeries.

• Weakened pelvic floor muscles.

• Constipation can occur sometimes as part of a condition called 'irritable bowel syndrome' where it alternates with diarrhea.

TREATMENT-

ALUMINA 30 — Alumina is an effective remedy for constipation when there is the absence of urge for stool. The person needing Alumina has no desire to pass stool for days together until a  large accumulation collects in the intestine. The intestines are highly sluggish and inactive. Stool whether hard, dry or soft needs much straining for it to find its way out. In constipation of bottle-fed babies and infants  Alumina, the best choice of medication.

NUX VOMICA 30 — Nux vomica is one of the top medicines for constipation when frequent, ineffectual urging to stool is present.   In every attempt, the stool passed is scanty and there is a feeling of incomplete evacuation. Shortly after passing the stool, the urge gets renewed. In Cases of constipation from abuse of laxatives  Nux Vomica to be extremely useful. It can also be used in cases where piles develop in association with constipation. Nux Vomica is highly suitable to persons with constipation who have sedentary habits and are not in a habit of regular exercise.

BRYONIA ALBA 30-Bryonia is very effective for constipation when stool is highly dry, large and excessively hard. Bryonia Alba is mainly indicated for all the conditions where mucous membranes are dry to the utmost degree. Along with constipation, the abdomen may appear distended and sore to touch. An increased thirst for large quantities of water with dry mouth and lips may accompany. Along with constipation gastric headache of bursting nature may also appear.

OPIUM 200- Opium is best suited for those cases of constipation where stool is passed as round, hard, black balls like sheep dung. Stool gets retained in intestines for long without having any desire for defecation. Abdomen seems hard and bloated with constipation. Opium is also highly ranked homeopathic remedy for constipation which occurs after the abuse of enemas

SILICEA 200-Silicea is another effective remedy in constipation with painful constriction of the anal sphincter. Stool is passed down the rectum with great straining efforts but due to spasmodic constriction of the anal sphincter, it recedes back. Stool slips back into the rectum after being partly expelled as anus closes upon passing stool. The rectum is also very weak and seems paralyzed. Stool remains in the rectum for a long time. Obstructed flatus is present along with constipation and the abdomen feels tight, bloated, hard and distended.  Silicea offers great help in females who suffer from constipation before and during menses.

CASCARA SAGRADA Q- It is a specific remedy for constipation. Chronic indigestion. Constipation with piles. It is an intestinal tonic and helps remove dyspepsia.

CALCAREA CARB 30- Calcarea carb is a prominent remedy for constipation in children. For it to be indicated the first part of stool is hard followed by soft stool, which too, is passed with great difficulty. Aversion to milk is often present in children needing Calcarea carb. They may also show a desire for indigestible things like chalk, lime, and pencil.

SANICULA 30- Sanicula is indicated when a child passes variable stool with a different character. Sometimes stool is large and painful, while at other times stool crumbles at the verge of the anus and at times stool recede after being partly expelled. In addition to this many a times stool is passed in small, hard balls and even needs to be mechanical removed.

CHAMOMILLA 30- Chamomilla is a much-needed remedy for constipation in children who are irritable, headstrong and obstinate to the utmost degree.

MAGNESIA MUR 30-Magnesia mur. is effective for constipation of infants during dentition. Passes only a small quantity of stool like sheep’s dung.

SEPIA 30 - Sepia is an effective remedy for constipation in pregnancy.  Sepia provides much help when stool is very hard and the need arises for it to be mechanically removed. Constant bearing down in uterus often accompanies constipation for women needing Sepia.

CAUSTICUM 30 — Causticum is another remedy for constipation with piles.  Causticum when large piles are present and they obstruct the passage of stool through the rectum.

HYDRASTIS CAN Q - Hydrastis considered a specific remedy for constipation. Stools are felt in the small intestine but do not come down to the large intestines and anus. Constipation with a sinking feeling in the stomach and dull headache. Enemas and glycerine plugs are useless and do not relieve constipation in this case.

 COLLINSONIA CAN 30 - Collinsonia is effective for constipation during pregnancy. Collinsonia can be used for obstinate constipation- hard, dry, knotty stool -with piles.

NITRIC ACID 30 - Nitric acid is indicated when anal fissure occurs with constipated bowels. It is accompanied with much burning and pain. There is bleeding from the rectum

NATRUM MURIATICUM 30 - Natrum Mur. is used when fissures are present along with constipation. Natrum Mur is used when smarting, tearing and stitching pain at anus is present in the fissure due to constipation. There is the unsatisfactory stool. The nature of the stool is like sheep dung.

PHOSPHORUS 30 - Phosphorus another effective remedy for constipation. The stool is long and dry like that of a dog. There is bright red blood passes along with stool.

PODOPHYLLUM PEL 30 - Podophyllum is very effective for constipation in children. It is prescribed when constipation alternates with diarrhea and colic is present.

PLUMBUM METALLICUM 30 - Plumbum met . is effective for traveler’s constipation who are often changing food, water, and places.

SULPHUR 200 - Sulphur is prescribed when constipation occurs on account of fear of passing the stool because stool is hard, knotty and difficulty to expel, they cause pain in the anus while passing.