Constipation is a common concern. Your ideal goal is to have at least one bowel movement per day that doesn’t require you to strain, doesn’t hurt and easy to pass. You should feel empty and better after a bowel movement. If you are not experiencing bloating / gas or digestive discomfort then your stool is normal. If you are experiencing hard stool, slow passage of stool, or aren’t having a bowel movement every day, you are constipated.
If constipation isn’t treated, it can cause haemorrhoids, rectal fissure and tears in the rectum. Chronic constipation can also increase your risk of developing colorectal cancer.
Constipation can occur due to many reasons, such as low fibre intake, dehydration, IBS, frequent use of laxatives, lack of physical activity, pregnancy and other hormonal imbalances, diabetes, thyroid conditions and medications such as blood pressure medications.
Constipation can also be secondary to a primary diagnosis such as SIBO, Candida, IBS, Food sensitivities, dysbiosis, parasites, magnesium deficiency, travel etc. Sluggish bowels, lack of enzymes can also contribute to your constipation.
One area where Dr. Tali Troyansky focuses on observing in her patients, is the migrating motor complex (MMC). Our gut is full of healthy bacteria called probiotics, they are the main producers of serotonin in our body. Our gut bacteria controls many different neurological processes in our brain that is used to regulate our body.
Having dysbiosis (imbalance of gut bacteria) can deplete serotonin production and cause constipation as there is a lot of serotonin receptors in your gut, particularly 5-HT4. Not many people discuss this, and not many look into it as part of your constipation root cause. When it comes to serotonin levels, it greatly affects your mood and mental health. That is why Dr. Tali always considers depression, anxiety and stress as part of the assessment and the possibility of dysbiosis / serotonin dysregulation. There is a strong connection between your gut and brain, and it is an emerging researched topic.
Get yourself a regulated health care practitioner who is curious about your health and will get to the reason of your constipation. Let’s work together to address and treat the root cause of your constipation using an evidence based natural approach. A Naturopath’s role is also to rule out the more serious underlined pathologies to your constipation.
Dr. Tali`s Naturopathic treatment approach to constipation involves getting to the root cause of it while considering factors such as diet, lifestyle, predisposing factors, fluid intake and nutrition intake. Further assessment may be needed depending on your health history and your information intake. Dr. Tali will determine if further testing is required for a more accurate diagnosis. Some of the tests used are Food sensitivities testing, Comprehensive stool analysis and parasitology x3 testing, SIBO testing etc. Treatment involves using dietary modification and education on what to do to immediately alleviate symptoms as well as treating your chronic constipation, education her patients is important to her. This will be done using botanical medicine, Asian medicine, acupuncture, nutraceuticals and supplements.