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Hippocrates is famous for his quote “All disease begins in the gut”. Constipation is one such health concern that arises in your gut. Are you among those people who frequently feel uneasy and sluggish because of constipation? Unlike typical medical approaches which offer temporary relief, Ayurveda aims to recognise and treat the root causes of constipation. This holistic method goes beyond symptom relief to restore the natural balance within the body for better digestive health and well-being.

Ayurvedic Causes of Constipation

Constipation, also known as "Vibandha" in Ayurveda, is generally a sign of an imbalance in your body's natural doshas, mainly Vata. Let us try to understand what these imbalances are to help control constipation. This is how each dosha impacts this condition:
Vata Imbalance: Vata is the most prevalent in constipation which also influences your colon mobility and dryness. Excess Vata results in reduced bowel movement regularity and tougher, drier stool.
Pitta & Kapha Imbalance: Although less related to constipation, imbalances in Pitta can cause dry stools from excessive Kapha and heat can cause slow bowel movements and stool.
As per Ayurveda, other factors which can lead to constipation are :
Diet: Eating dry, leftover or cold meals which are hard to digest could increase your Vata. Lack of fibre-rich foods like fruits and whole grains also causes constipation.
Dehydration: Lack of sufficient water makes passing stools harder for your body.
Lifestyle: Sitting for long periods or doing nothing interrupts your regular bowel movements.
Routine and Stress: High stress and irregular everyday routines could disrupt your digestive rhythms and cause constipation.

If you wish to address these factors, it requires changing your lifestyle and diet along with understanding the deeper Ayurvedic concepts governing body health and wellbeing.

Modern Causes of Constipation

Constipation is not just uncomfortable but has become a common symptom of contemporary lifestyle and health conditions in most of our lives. Understanding the modern causes of constipation could help you control or prevent this condition. These are the main modern causes:
Slow Transit: Sometimes the stool goes by too slowly through the intestinal tract and the entire body absorbs way too much water from it. This makes the stool hard and dry and tough to pass.
Lifestyle Factors: Daily habits are important factors in your bowel health:

• Not taking enough fluids may leave you dehydrated and cause harder stools.
• Absence of soluble fibre from fruits, vegetables and whole food grains might prevent stool formation properly.
• Insufficient physical exercise can make your digestive tract less efficient.
• Ignoring the desire to use the restroom may also lead to constipation.

Prescription Medication Side Effects: Many medicines can also lead to constipation as a side effect (painkillers particularly opioids and medicines for high blood pressure & depression).

Pelvic Floor Dysfunction: Problems in passing stool can arise if the muscles supporting your pelvic organs are not working properly.
Other Health problems: Some other medical conditions, including diabetes, thyroid issues, and Parkinson's disease, impact the way your hormones, nerves, and muscles work together to impact your bowel movements.

With a better understanding of these factors, you can start finding remedies for constipation relief via diet modifications or through consultations with your Ayurvedic doctor.

Conclusion

Constipation is not just a short-term annoyance; it might actually signal more serious issues with diet, other conditions or your complete lifestyle. Ayurveda offers an all-natural approach to constipation by targeting the underlying cause instead of just managing the symptoms. It promotes a balanced approach, balancing the doshas of the body through diet, lifestyle modifications and non-chemical treatments.

Natural healing starts by understanding the source of constipation. Find customised solutions for better digestive health by consulting an Ayurvedic expert today.