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Water and the Bowel

Drinking enough water is important for healthy function of the entire body, including the bowels. Not drinking enough water (or not consuming water in the form of juices and other non-caffeinated beverages), is a key cause of constipation.

The bowel consists of the small intestine and the large intestine. The large intestine is further divided into the cecum, colon and rectum, which exits at the anus. The primary function of the colon is to remove water from the feces, thereby firming it up and facilitating its passage out of the body.

This works perfectly when the food remains in the colon for a short period of time. If, however, it stays for longer than appropriate, too much water is absorbed and the stool becomes small, compact and hard to pass. This is known as constipation.

Causes of Constipation
It is important to understand that constipation is not in itself a disease. Rather it is a symptom of a disturbance in the way the bowel works.

When food enters the bowels, it is passed along by wave-like contractions known as peristalsis. If these muscular contractions are slow and sluggish, the feces remains in the bowel for too long. Obstructions in the bowel can also slow down the passage of stool long enough to cause constipation.

Causes of sluggish bowel action include taking in too little liquid; a diet low in fibre; lack of exercise, some medications; pregnancy; hormonal fluctuations; travel; advancing age; abuse of laxatives and ignoring the urge to move the bowels.

Increasing Fibre
Fiber is the name given to the elongated fibers that form the structures of plants. There are two kinds of fibre: soluble and insoluble. Both types of fibre are important in the diet and provide benefits to the digestive system by encouraging bowel regularity.

Insoluble fibre cannot be dissolved in water and so is not broken down by the body. This type of fibre is mostly found in cereals, wheat bran and vegetables. The primary benefit of insoluble fibre is that it passes through the digestive tract intact. This helps bulk up the stool, promoting bowel movement.

Soluble fiber dissolves in water, forming a gel-like medium. This helps speed the passage of food through the digestive tract by giving substance to the stool. Soluble fibre also helps reduce cholesterol levels and so is beneficial to the heart. Sources of soluble fibre include oat bran, psyllium husk, legumes, nuts, beans, vegetables and fruit.

If you are not getting enough fibre in your diet, you may want to invest in Ultra-Fiber® - a balanced fibre supplement available from the London Drugs pharmacy.

Getting Enough Fluids
A healthy bowel requires at least eight glasses of non-caffeinated fluids a day. Purified water is preferable to citrus juices, which can be irritating to the stomach and intestines. Increasing your intake of fluids is particularly important if you increase your fibre intake, since fibre on its own is hard and constipating. (Water plumps up the fibre, creating a larger stool that is easier to pass.)

Occasional Constipation
If you suffer from occasional or temporary constipation, you may wish to use a laxative formulation to help clear the bowels. Occasional or temporary constipation may result from a change in dietary intake or exercise level (common when on vacation), certain medications, and drugs administered during surgery. New Gentlax® and Gentlax® • S contain bisacodyl for the fast and gentle relief of occasional or temporary constipation. Gentlax® • S also contains a stool softener (docusate sodium) to further ease the passage of fecal matter through the bowel.

Your Pharmacist Says:
Ongoing constipation may be a sign of a serious bowel condition. Always check with your doctor if constipation persists for longer than a few days. You should always consult your doctor before taking laxatives if you are pregnant, or suffering from abdominal pain, nausea, fever or vomiting. Do not take medications within two hours of taking a laxative, since the laxative may interfere with the benefits derived from that medication.