Constipation, Hypertension, and Seizure: Treatments Guide

Constipation: Causes and Risk Factors

Constipation is the infrequent or difficult evacuation of the bowels (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2012). While there is no strict universal standard for bowel elimination, it is generally accepted that fewer than three bowel movements per week constitutes constipation. Stools are usually hard and dry. Other common symptoms associated with constipation include excessive straining during bowel evacuation, a sense of rectal blockage, a sense of incomplete evacuation, and the need to perform manual measures to facilitate evacuation.

Constipation may result from insufficient fluid intake or dehydration, inadequate fiber in the diet, postponing elimination, irritable bowel syndrome, lack of physical activity, illness, abuse of laxatives, and certain medical conditions. Those more likely to develop constipation include older adults and individuals who are sedentary, confined to bed, dehydrated, on a low-fiber diet, taking certain medications, or undergoing chemotherapy. The condition is more common in women and children. Causes for alarm include fewer than three bowel movements per week, intense abdominal pain, blood in the stool, thin stools, diarrhea, and unexplained weight loss (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2012).

Treating and Preventing Constipation

Constipation can be corrected with a high-fiber diet, adequate fluid intake, laxatives, regular exercise, and taking sufficient time for bowel evacuation (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2012). If these measures do not work, a physician may prescribe medications, manual procedures, or surgery. Alternative treatments include massage, acupuncture, and homeopathic remedies. Constipation can be prevented by adopting a high-fiber diet, increasing fluid intake, maintaining adequate nutrition, pursuing a more physically active lifestyle, and setting a regular time for bowel movements. In many cases, medical treatment is unnecessary, as episodes of constipation are temporary (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2012).

Hypertension: Causes and Symptoms

Blood pressure is considered high when a reading reaches 140/90 or above (Makoff, 2012). An increase in either systolic or diastolic pressure raises the risk of developing heart disease, renal disease, hardening of the arteries, eye damage, and stroke. These outcomes are referred to as end-organ damage because they result from prolonged high blood pressure. Research indicates that individuals aged 50 and older with an elevated systolic reading face a particularly significant risk. One in three adults in the United States — approximately 73 million people — faces this risk.

The two types of hypertension are essential (or primary) and secondary. The essential or primary type accounts for 95% of all cases and is associated with factors such as excessive salt intake, advancing age, race, obesity, hereditary predisposition, and renal failure. The secondary type is caused by specific disorders of the kidney, adrenal glands, or aortic artery. Hypertension is often described as "the silent killer" because it produces no symptoms for years until end-organ damage occurs. Those with uncomplicated hypertension may eventually experience symptoms such as headache, dizziness, shortness of breath, or blurred vision (Makoff, 2012).

References

Makoff, D. (2012). High blood pressure. MedicineNet. Retrieved March 7, 2012, from

Mayo Clinic Staff. (2012). Constipation. Mayo Clinic: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Retrieved March 7, 2012, from

PubMed Health. (2011). Seizures. ADAM Medical Encyclopedia. Retrieved March 7, 2012, from