Lesson 28RR - Acute Constipation
Sheri Nakken
Tip: Homeopathic Help for Acute Constipation (if chronic, needs to
see a homeopath)
Acute constipation can be helped often times through dietary means
like adding more fiber and extra liquids to the diet, or by using
herbal remedies.
Homeopathic remedies can also offer relief and some of the most
common remedies are Nux vomica, Bryonia and Calcarea carb.
Nux vomica is best for the person who has constant urges to pass
stool but is unable to do so. Bryonia is the remedy of choice when
the mouth, anus and stool is excessively dry. Calcarea carb is
generally used for those considered overweight and experience
heartburn and sour burping.
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http://www.hpathy.com/diseases/constipation1-symptoms-treatment-cure.asp
CONSTIPATION
Constipation is passage of small amounts of hard, dry bowel
movements, usually fewer than three times a week. People who are
constipated may find it difficult and painful to have a bowel
movement. Other symptoms of constipation include feeling bloated,
uncomfortable, and sluggish.
Constipation - CAUSE
Common causes of constipation are
- not enough fiber in the diet
- not enough liquids
- lack of exercise
- medications
- irritable bowel syndrome
- changes in life or routine such as pregnancy, older age, and travel
- abuse of laxatives
- ignoring the urge to have a bowel movement
- specific diseases such as stroke
- problems with the colon and rectum
- problems with intestinal function (chronic idiopathic constipation)
Constipation - Treatment & Homeopathic Medicines
#Nux vomica [Nux.v]
Perhaps no remedy in the Materia Medica is oftener prescribed for
anything than is Nux vomica for constipation. Nux vomica has peculiar
and characteristic indications for constipation, and when prescribed
upon these indications it will cure every time. Nothing is surer than
this. But Nux vomica is often prescribed when these indications are
not present, and often does much good; in this class of cases there
will almost invariably be present one of the great clinical
indications of the remedy, and that is, its value in antidoting
purgative medicines. In many cases of inveterate constipation calling
for this,that,and the other remedy, it will be noticed that expected
results are not obtained and will not be obtained and will not be
obtained until Nux vomica has been given to antidote the effects of
drastic medicines. Then the case can be prescribed for, the
indications followed, and success result. Another thing about Nux is
the fact that while prescribed low, as in the tincture, it will
frequently relieve constipation, but to cure it the drug must be
given in a much higher potency. Hydrastis is another remedy that is
sometimes useful after the abuse of purgatives, laxatives, cathartics
and their like. In all these cases, however, the symptoms calling for
the respective drug should be present. Hughes claims it to be
superior to Nux as usually prescribed. He recommends a drop or two of
the tincture in water once daily before breakfast. Hydrastis has a
symptom, however, which is quite characteristic, that is a sinking,
gone feeling at the epigastrium, which Nux vomica does not have to
any extent. The constipation of Nux vomica is usually of the kind
induced by lazy habits, inattention to Nature's calls in the first
place, want of exercise, sedentary habits, and a sluggish condition
of the whole system. It is due not only to inactivity of the whole
system. It is due not only to inactivity of the intestines, but to an
irregularity of the peristaltic actions, giving rise to the great
characteristic, constant ineffectual urging to stool, and when the
stool does occur it is incomplete and unsatisfactory, as if a part
remained behind. Absence of desire for defecation contra-indicates
Nux. Inflammatory symptoms or pain generally contra-indicates. Carbo
vegetabilis has urging, but it is due to wind, while Opium and
Bryonia have no urging at all. According to d'Espiney, the physical
signs of this inharmonious intestinal action can be felt by palpating
the abdominal walls. Anacardium resembles Nux vomica in many ways. It
has a sensation of a plug in the rectum which cannot be expelled.
There is a fitful intestinal activity, but withal a powerlessness of
the rectum. Even soft stools are expelled with difficulty. Small
quantities may be expelled with each attempt. The mental symptoms of
Nux are important in treating constipation, for the effect that
constipation has upon the minds of some people is well known. In
cases indicating Nux vomica there will be a great crossness,
irascibility and objection to all opposition. The Nux stool is also
apt to be large, and haemorrhoids are a frequent accompaniment. We
may sum up Nux vomica by calling again the attention to the mental
characteristics, the sedentary temperament,the fitful intestinal
action and its antidotal relation to purgative drugs. Dr. Cartier,of
Paris, well says: "Nux vomica should never be given in constipation
according to the law of similars in the low attenuations, or in the
mother tincture. An opposite effect will be produced thereby, an
augmentation of the spasmodic state of the intestines; the higher the
dilution the better the chance success. Nor should it be too often repeated."
#Sulphur [Sulph]
Many of the older homoeopaths used to give Sulphur and Nux vomica in
alteration for constipation. They complement each other, follow each
other well, but better results will be obtained if each be given
singly when indicated; for, surely, both cannot be indicated at once.
With Sulphur there is an ineffectual urging to stool, with a
sensation of heat and discomfort in the rectum , and there is a
general uneasy feeling all through the intestinal tract, due to
abdominal plethora or passive portal congestion. It is very useful
remedy with which to commence the treatment of constipation, though,
unless the symptoms call for it, it should not be given. A bad
constitution and frequent ill health are good indications to start
with, a tendency to piles is another. The stools are hard, dark, dry,
and expelled with great straining, the first effort to stool being
extremely painful. There is apt to be much twitching and burning of
the anus, the evacuation are often unsatisfactory, and, as in Nux,
there is often a sensation as if a part remained behind. Another
characteristic symptom of Sulphur is constipation alternating with
diarrhoea. The general temperament of the drug has much to do with
its choice; in fact, almost all of the indications for its use will
be the general ones . The general venous system is usually at fault
in true Sulphur cases, and anything that stimulates this system into
action, such as exercise and cold, always benefits the Sulphur
patient. Sulphur needs to be given high and n continued for any
length of time .
#Opium [Op]
While the constipation of Nux is due to irregularity of intestinal
action, that of Opium is due to absolute inaction of the intestines,
a regular paralysis of the peristaltic movement. There is an absence
of desire, absolutely no urging to stool whatever, and so the faeces
become impacted in the bowels; and when passed at all come in little,
hard, dry, black balls, here resembling the stool of Plumbum , but
with Plumbum there is some activity. Another drug which has no urging
to stool is Bryonia, but here the lack of urging is rather due to
dryness of the mucous membrane than to intestinal inactivity; with
Opium there is a want of sensibility throughout the intestinal tract,
and consequently the constipation is not apt to inconvenience the
patient, hence it is apt to go on getting worse until the attention
is called to it by the flatus accumulating in the upper part of the
intestines. Where the faeces require artificial means for their
removal, this remedy should be thought of, though Selenium, Alumina,
Plumbum or Bryonia may be used in this condition. Diminished
secretions are also characteristic of Opium , so that dryness
intestinal inactivity, is one of the causes of constipation of old
people; the patient is drowsy and dizzy.
#Plumbum [Plumb]
As we have already seen, with Plumbum there is some intestinal
action; in fact, at times there is considerable. Lead colic is one of
the effects of the drug. So we have urging to stool, and accompanying
this urging is a colic with a marked retraction of the abdominal
walls. The stool is passed with the greatest difficulty and consists
of little round balls, which are black, dry and hard, and there is
accompanying, a marked spasm of the sphincter ani which is apt to be
painful. The anus feels as if drawn upward. With this drug there is
loss of muscular activity and diminished secretion of intestinal
glands. Thus we see that the indications for Plumbum in constipation
are concise and precise.
#Alumina [Alum]
Chief among remedies for constipation due to dryness of the
intestinal tract stands Alumina. There is diminished peristaltic
movement and complete inertia of the rectum, so that we have the
symptom, soft stool expelled with difficulty, explained. There is
little or no urging to stool. The stools may be hard and knotty like
sheep dung, or may be soft. It is one of our most useful remedies in
constipation of children where the rectum is dry, inflamed and
bleeding about the orifice. Alumina differs from Bryonia chiefly in
the state of rectal inactivity. A dry mouth and an irritated looking
tongue may lead to the selection of Alumina. There is much straining
with the remedy and the stool is passed in very small quantities ,
piecemeal, so to speak. If the characteristics of Alumina are
prominent in a given case, they may be due to the use of aluminum
ware in cooking. Even Spring water boiled in an aluminum pot will
deposit a white sediment on cooling.
#Bryonia [Bry]
The large-hard-dry-stool-as-if-burnt of Bryonia is familiar to all of
our Medical School. The constipation of the drug is due to dryness
and there is no urging. Alumina is similar; its constipation is also
due to dryness, but it has such complete inactivity of the rectum
that even a soft stool is expelled with difficulty. With Bryonia the
stools are passed with a great deal of difficulty, owing to an atony
of the intestines similar to Veratrum album and Opium. Nux, as we
have seen, produces and cures constipation due to fitful, irregular,
peristaltic action. Bryonia cures constipation where not only the
intestinal secretions are diminished, but the muscular action as
well. Constipation in young children, according to Hughes, is
frequently cured by Bryonia 30th. It is said to act better in
rheumatic subjects and in summer. The mental condition of
irritability and ill-humor will often be present as a concomitant of
the Bryonia constipation. Older writers alternated Bryonia and Nux
vomica with success in very obstinate cases.
#Natrum muriaticum [Nat-m]
All the muriates have crumbly stools, and so we find that the
characteristic constipated stool of Natrum muriaticum is a hard and
crumbly one; the rectum is dry, the stool is hard to expel and causes
bleeding, smarting and soreness in the rectum. There is ineffectual
urging to stool,with stitches in the rectum. It sometimes comes in
the most obstinate cases, which are accompanied by hypochondriasis.
Magnesia muriatica, another of the muriates, has characteristically a
constipation in which the stools are passed with great difficulty,
being composed of hard lumps like sheep dung, which are so dry that
they crumble as they pass the anus. Ammonium muriaticum has this same
symptom of dry and crumbly stools, they may also be coated externally
with mucus. In constipation of young people who are subjected to acne
and comedos, Natrum muriaticum should be thought of.
#Lycopodium [Lyc]
Like Nux, Lycopodium has a sensation after stool as if something
remained behind. Constipation, due to constriction of the rectum,
calls for this remedy, and here it reminds one of Silicea. The
constipation , too, is apt to be associated with the stool. The
stools are dry and hard, or the first part hard, the last soft. In
the constipation of children and pregnant women it often finds a
place, and it is here praised by Hartmann. A great deal of rumbling
in the abdomen following the stool is an additional indication. Nux
and Lycopodium may be easily distinguished , though each has
ineffectual urging to stool. In Nux, as ,we have seen, this is due to
irregular peristaltic action, while with Lycopodium it is due to a
constriction of the rectum. The mental symptoms here, too, are of the
utmost importance; the depression, the melancholy and the
apprehension are characteristic.
#Graphites [Graph]
Graphites is one of our best remedies in constipation, if Homoeopathy
can be said to have "best remedies". With this drug there is no
urging. The patient sometimes goes days without a stool, and when it
does come it is composed of little round balls, knotted together with
shreds of mucus and accompanied with great pain when passing, owing
to the fissure. These fissures, as well as the haemorrhoids which
accompany them, burn, smart and itch intolerably. Excessive soreness
of the anus in making the post defecation toilet is an indication for
its use. Three or four remedies are usually to be thought of in this
condition of fissure of the anus; they are: Silicea, Nitric acid,
Paeonia and Ratanhia; these, with Graphites, will remove in most
cases the underlying disease leading to the fissure. Aching of the
anus after stool is also characteristic of Graphites, and sometimes
we have with the drug ineffectual urging. The mucus-coated stool, the
extreme soreness of the anus, the general Graphites temperament of
sadness and obesity, will easily decide for the remedy. Graphites
suits especially women who suffer from a neglect to attend promptly
to nature's call.
#Platina [Plat]
With Platina, there is torpor of the whole intestinal tract,
unsuccessful urging to stool and great dryness of the rectum. The
stools seem to adhere to the rectum like glue or putty. There is
great weakness in the abdomen and a sensation as if there were a load
in the rectum which could not be expelled. It is considered a remedy
for the constipation of emigrants and travelers, so it would seem to
find an additional indication where the trouble was brought on by
change in manner of living. It is also a remedy for the constipation
due to lead poisoning. There is frequent urging, scanty, dry stool
and great abdominal weakness. As under Ignatia, there are sharp
stitches in the rectum.
#Silicea [Sil]
When constipation is due to inefficient expulsive force of the rectum
and a spasmodic condition of the sphincter then Silicea is our
remedy. With this condition we have a condition where the sphincter
suddenly contracts and the partially expelled stool recedes.
Causticum has constipation due to powerlessness of the rectum, so
that the patient almost stands in order to enable him to get
sufficient power to expel the stool, but the spasmodic condition of
Silicea is absent. As with Graphites, Silicea has a great deal of
soreness about the anus, also an oozing of moisture. There is urging
to stool and a sensation as if faeces remained in the rectum.
#Veratrum album [Verat]
Though this remedy is ;one of our greatest diarrhoea remedies, it has
a marked effect in the treatment of constipation. The symptoms
calling for its use are as follows: There is complete atony of the
intestines, as under Bryonia and Opium. The faeces accumulate in
large masses in into a sweat; but finally has to give it up, and the
faeces have to be removed by artificial means. There are extreme
cases where the patient is able to force a passage for himself; the
stools are large, hard and black. As with the diarrhoea there may be
faintness after the stool. Dunham speaks of the constipation of
Veratrum as one characterized by a disposition to stool in the upper
part of the intestinal canal and an indisposition to stool in the
lower part. Dr. Bryce claims that it will bring stool quickest of any
medicine I ever tried." He used 3x. It comes in very well after Nux
vomica, especially in constipation of children. Podophyllum 12th has
proved of use in constipation of children. Of course, the above
remedies will not cure every case of constipation, but they will, if
studied closely, be found to correspond with the majority of cases.
Phosphorus has a constipation of long slender stools voided with much
straining.