The scientists who first viewed human microorganisms had little idea that all people host a vast number of these creatures. The nearly 1000 species that live inside human beings number around 200 trillion in total, far more than the stars in the Milky Way. They are well known for being essential to human life, and include bacteria, archaea, and fungi. Probiotics for constipation help by reestablishing healthy colonies in the gut.
Few people have never experienced problems fully emptying their bowels of organic waste. When the bowel is constipated, people have an uneasy internal feeling of that something is not operating normally. There may be pain or straining during the elimination process, causing blood vessel irritation and hemorrhoidal flareups. Some experience abdominal bloating, chronic nausea, and sometimes vomiting.
Causes involve inadequate hydration in the bowel, not enough fiber in the diet, and scant aerobic exercise. Some people become constipated when they are under stress, while others experience the discomfort when they consume dairy products, or interrupt their daily routine through travel. Antacids and laxatives can also trigger it, even though they are meant to relieve digestive problems.
The condition is not difficult for a doctor to diagnose when there is no accompanying eating disorder, hypothyroidism, or Parkinson's disease. Most even suggest waiting at least two weeks for it to clear up spontaneously before calling. If an appointment is needed, blood tests can discover imbalances, and if an intestinal obstruction is possible, barium studies may be needed. Having a regular colonoscopy usually detects developing bowel cancers.
Most of the time constipation eases by drinking more water, eating more vegetables and fresh fruits that are rich in natural fibers, and making a real effort to become physically active. Makers of over-the-counter remedies currently enjoy an enormous market for those products, but the prime solutions for the problem are not necessarily pharmaceutical, and involve changes in lifestyle.
When taking supplemental organisms become necessary to re-establish internal balance, products designed to grow healthy colonies include those based on lactobacilli, the small organisms commonly found in the digestive and related systems of elimination. The re-introduction of various strains is not only said to reduce abdominal pain in constipated children, but also combats the side-effects of antibiotics. Some women report decreased incidence of vaginal infections.
Bifidobacteria are the primary type of beneficial bacteria found in the colon. They combat not only bloating and straining during elimination, but are also thought to help prevent dental decay in young children, and improve general metabolism in adults. Others are derived from yeast, produce quantities of necessary enzymes, or combat the effects of introduced bacteria found in food.
Although some people attempt to increase that population through dietary changes, others take supplements. They are currently extremely popular, but are not covered by governmental regulations regarding medications or food. The vast number of selections makes it vital to know which will most benefit personally, especially when constipation is the problem. It may be necessary to sample more than one product to find the best solution.