Some Common Causes of Constipation

I notice whenever my son is constipated, his eczema worsens. You might have noticed the same thing in your child or yourself. To deal with constipation, first you have to find out the cause. There are many factors which contribute to constipation. Here are some of the common causes of constipation:

  • Dehydration – perhaps the most primary cause of constipation is inadequate water intake. A minimum of half the body’s weight in ounces of water daily…and yet more if you consume any form of caffeine products, diuretics, during cleanses or detoxification programs, if any thermal treatments are used (saunas, steam baths, sweatlodges, etc.) and during times of strenuous activity and hot weather. Some activities and occupations are particularly prone to this cause, ie. frequent flyers, flight attendants, etc.
  • Bowel toxemia – any congestion in the bowel or toxins resulting from candida, parasites, etc.
  • Imbalanced intestinal bacteria with a high concentration of pathogenic micro-organisms.
  • Overuse of laxatives (pharmaceutical or herbal) which disrupt normal peristalsis of the bowel and lead to poor muscle tone in the bowel.
  • Structural abnormalities in the bowel including strictures, twists, prolapses and poor muscle tone.
  • Insufficient fiber in the diet.
  • Nutritional deficiencies, including mineral deficiencies.
  • Over-consumption of processed and devitalized foods.
  • Lack of adequate exercise, including those that tone the back and abdomen.
  • Stress and fatigue.
  • Low thyroid functioning.
  • Congestion and toxicity in the liver and gallbladder.
  • Iron in nutritional supplements – some have no problem, but constipation can result for others using iron.
  • Habitual failure to heed nature’s call.
  • Releasing toxins from tissue and organs faster than the body can expel them can lead to constipation because of the increased toxins in the colon during cleanses and detoxification. This is why cleansing and addressing the organs of elimination (colon, kidneys, lungs, skin and lymph) are recommended prior to cleansing organs of detoxification (liver/gallbladder) and general cellular detoxification. Slowing the rate of cleansing is sometimes necessary to prevent constipation while on a detoxification program.


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