Pregnant Lady with Constipation.
Q) I have been constipated for the past 2 months, having a bowel movement once a week. I am fatigued, short of breath and always tired. Passing a wind has become difficult and painful at times.
My daily foods incl, albran flakes, cooled boiling water, 2 apples, fresh salad, low gi bread, no chicken or meat. I hav tried the activia yoghurt, probiflora colon ease. 800 grams sour figs, and prunes. Nothing seams to work. When I reach my 6th day I take some Lacson (30ml) and have 1 small bowl movement.
Due to my lack of bowl function I try 2 avoid solids as I am afraid of fecal loading. I opt for fluids, fruit and salad. I have lost 5kgs and manage my sugar levels well.
Its like my colon has stopped working.
I’ve read your remedies are they safe during pregnancy?
A ) You and your laxative have something to do with your complaint about wind and bowel discomfort: Lacson works on a mechanism based on sugar. You said you are diabetic! Whoever recommended this to you needs to know this. I have taken an extract from a research paper from the internet and highlighted the problem for you.
http://www.edoc.co.za/modules.php?name=News&file=print&sid=392
“Non-digestible sugars and alcohol
These include glycerin, lactulose (E.g. Duphalac® ,Lacson®, Laxette®) and sorbitol (Microenema®) The non-absorbable sugar, lactulose, is hydrolysed in the intestine to organic acids which acidify the luminal contents and osmotically draw water into the lumen, stimulating colonic propulsive motility. The osmotic action causes a softening of the faecal matter. Laxative effect may take 24-48 hours. Patients may experience abdominal discomfort, bloating and flatulence initially, but these symptoms generally subside with continued administration. Lactulose may be used long-term for chronic constipation.”
What would be a better option is referred to below: Magnesium sulphate, known as Epson salts.
“Saline laxatives are generally used for acute and rapid containing laxatives also stimulate the release of cholecystokinin, which leads to intraluminal fluid and electrolyte accumulation and to increased intestinal motility. Saline laxatives are generally used for acute and rapid evacuation of the bowel. Long-term use of these agents is not recommended. Absorption of small amounts of the cation or anion of the inorganic salt may cause an electrolyte disturbance. Therefore these inorganic salt osmotic laxatives should be used with caution or avoided in patients with renal insufficiency, cardiac disease and in patients on diuretic therapy. Sufficient fluid intake must be recommended to avoid dehydration. Examples include magnesium sulphate Epson salts®), magnesium hydroxide Phipps Milk of Magnesia®) and sodium sulphate (Glauber’s Salt®) and combination preparations (E.g. Belax ®) with magnesium sulphate and magnesium carbonate.”
Here is what I usually recommend. Every system behaves differently in terms of magnesium sensitivity. Pregnant women especially, are deficient in calcium and magnesium due to the demands made by the unborn child. Just think – the baby has a skeleton and it comes from the mother!
1 Nature Fresh Calcium Complex powder. This supplement contains the ideal balance of calcium, magnesium and supportive nutrients, including biochemical tissue salts.
2 Epson salts known as magnesium sulphate. They are cheap and freely available at supermarkets.
At bedtime take 1/4 glass of water. Mix in 1 teaspoon of Calcium complex and 1/2 teaspoon of Epson salts. This may take a day or 2 to get you regular. If no-go after the first attempt, take 1 teaspoon of Epson salts with the Calcium powder. The following days you can reduce the Epson salts by halving it every time until you find your ideal mixture.
Too much Epson salts causes a complete flush out. We use this in the liver and gallbladder flushing protocol. Amounts of 2 teaspoons a time are used. But this procedure is to remove gallstones and is not recommended when one is pregnant.
3 Supportive balancing of mineral salts is achieved by taking tissue salts. NAT SULPH reduces acidity and swollen ankles or blocked sinus that is combined with constipation. NAT MUR is an overall water balancer and very good for constipation, dry skin and hair. Please look up tissue salts on our website. They are available at health shops. Ask the assistant.
4 As a diabetic it helps to eat for your blood type. Wheat and chicken may not agree with you either!
From our shopper’s guide:
NATURE FRESH: Calcium complex powder or tablets, Olive Leaf tablets or tincture, Parasite Remedy.
Other Products: Vitamin C (ascorbic acid is cheaper for this) Extra magnesium or add ½ Epsom Salts to 1 teaspoon Calcium /complex at bedtime. Try eating soaked or stewed prunes or their juice in large morning helpings (they contain magnesium shuphate). Sweden bitters and digestive bitters.
Protocol: Do not rely on purgatives, colonics or fibre supplements because they do not correct the diet. A lot of medications like codeine and anti-histamines cause a sluggish or dehydrated bowel. Aloe bitters when taken excessively and repeatedly to make you go to the toilet will damage your natural peristaltic ability as well as the inner membranes because it is an irritant. It can cause life long dependence.
Acute cases: High doses of Vitamin C in 1 or 2 gram doses mixed with water every hour till the motion begins. A good rule is: do not eat till you excrete in the mornings. Drink lemon juice or vitamin C with water and do some exercise, especially bouncing on a rebound until you do!
Treatment: Bad cases: colonic irrigation to clear the backlog. Special exercises like squatting and yoga help. So do coffee enemas. In some cases probiotics may cause a drier stool. (This is because they correct diarrhoea too!) Compensate with a little Epsom salts. Aslo maintain water balance with the tissue salt: NAT MUR.