Constipation is a common problem, and a British doctor offers a technique to help solve it.
The British newspaper Daily Mail quoted British surgeon Karan Rajan as saying that the “pendulum technique”, which is gently swinging back and forth on the toilet, helps in moving the intestines.
He explained that bending forward, specifically, relaxes the pelvic floor, which is the cradle of the muscles that lie at the base of the pelvis and control urinary incontinence. In order to empty the bowel, the pelvic floor must relax, and conversely, stress can cause it to tense.
“This movement can lead to mechanical stimulation to increase colon motility,” Dr. Rajan said, according to the newspaper.
Dr. Rajan suggested other things that help relax the pelvic floor, which are:
1- Breathe calmly and steadily
Dr. Rajan advised patients to breathe calmly and steadily. “Imagine you are blowing up a balloon or blowing out candles,” he said. “This diaphragmatic breathing technique stimulates the vagus nerve to help coordinate better pelvic floor muscle relaxation.”
The vagus nerve controls peristalsis (peristalsis), the wave-like contractions that move digested food through the intestine. It also helps control the pelvic floor.
2- Fiber is your friend and your gut’s friend
Eating more fiber, drinking plenty of water, and getting more exercise can help relieve constipation. Soluble fiber attracts water to form a gel in the intestines, making stool softer and increasing the frequency of bowel movements. Other foods rich in soluble fiber include figs, avocados, flaxseeds, and apples.
Constipation can lead to problems such as hemorrhoids and anal fissures. Hemorrhoids are enlarged blood vessels that form masses in and around the anus, and can cause itching and bleeding. A fissure is a tear that develops in the lining of the large intestine, near the anus. It can cause severe pain when excreting waste and can also cause bleeding.
Both problems may resolve on their own, especially if constipation is treated and avoided, and a small number of patients may need to undergo treatments or even surgery.