Constipation is a common complication for some patients. It may cause acute and chronic stress due to a persistent and confusing challenge.
When someone has fewer than three bowel movements a week without an underlying medication and condition, the problem is known as chronic severe functional constipation. Many elderly suffer from certain degree of constipation where poor peristaltic movement slows the stool, lengthening retention time and hardens stools due to excess absorption of water.
Effects of constipation
Pushing or straining during bowel movements may cause changes in coronary and cerebral vascular flow in elderly patients. This could cause the development of more threatening conditions including cerebral vascular damage, acute myocardial infarction, high blood pressure, angina, arrhythmias or death.
Treatment of constipation
Long-term treatment with medications may result in stomachaches, diarrhea and electrolyte imbalances. Safe and effective treatment and management of constipation would have significant value.
Chinese Medicine approaches the patient with a holistic treatment. Four methods of diagnosis are questioning, listening, looking and taking the pulse. Collecting data from asking the patients questions is critical, including: stools issue (sensation, consistence, interval time, colour, odour, and amount); occurrence; onset time, such as after childbirth, postpartum, menopause, or old age; the course of symptoms; how they alleviate the problem; and which accompanying symptoms such as abdominal distension, loss of appetite, fatigue, depression, insomnia, etc.
Acupuncture is an effective treatment for constipation
Chronic constipation often involves infrequent and hard stools, straining during bowel movements, and incomplete evacuation. Stomach cramping, pain, and abdominal bloating or distention may be secondary symptoms.
Acupuncture effectively treats the root causes of constipation and that acupuncture patients have lower relapse rates than patients having taken bowel movement medication. Although the drug is effective, research indicates a relatively high relapse rate when you stop taking it. Acupuncture has no significant adverse effects when compared to the drugs which may cause abdominal pain, loose stools, insomnia, dizziness, and headaches.
In traditional Chinese medicine, chronic constipation in the elderly is often due to a weak liver and kidneys, poor qi and blood circulation, and subsequent malnourishment of the large intestine. Traditional Chinese medicine also states that long-term consumption of bitter and chilled foods damages the spleen and stomach, slows qi and blood replenishment, and ultimately weakens peristaltic movements thereby affecting the ability to evacuate feces.
Acupuncture is a safe and effective treatment for patients who suffer from functional constipation.
References
Zhang, T., Chon,T.Y., Liu, B.Y., Do,A., Li, G.X., Wang, L.P., Liu, Z.S.(2013). Efficacy of Acupuncture for Chronic Constipation: a systematic review. The American Journal of Chinese Medicine, 41 (4), 717-742. https://www.worldscientific.com/doi/abs/10.1142/S0192415X13500493.
If you would like further information or to book an appointment, contact the clinic on 8289 2800 for an acupuncture consultation with Gemma Wang who will be happy to help you.
If you would like further information or to book an appointment, contact the clinic on 8289 2800 for an acupuncture consultation with Gemma Wang who will be happy to help you.
