What is Constipation?
Constipation is a common digestive problem where people have trouble passing stools or don’t have bowel movements often. It’s usually defined as having fewer than three bowel movements weekly or struggling during defecation. This condition can impact daily life and overall health [1].
Causes of Constipation
Constipation can happen for many reasons, with one of the main ones being a diet low in fibre. Fibre and enough water are important for keeping stools soft and easy to pass. Foods high in fibre, like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, add bulk to stool and make it smoother, which helps it move more smoothly through the rectum [2].
Dehydration is another common reason for constipation. When the body lacks enough water, the colon absorbs more water from waste, making stools harder, drier, and harder to pass [3, 4].
Lack of physical activity can also cause constipation. Exercise helps stimulate the colon, which supports regular bowel movements [5].
Some medications, like certain antacids, painkillers, diuretics, and treatments for Parkinson’s disease, can lead to constipation. Changes in routine, such as travelling or increased stress, can also interfere with regular bowel movements [2, 4].
Constipation can also be caused by underlying health issues like stroke, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, or colon and rectum problems. Hormonal imbalances, such as an underactive thyroid, may also contribute to the condition [2, 4].
In children, constipation can happen due to reasons like holding in stools, challenges with toilet training, changes in diet or routine, certain medications, cow's milk allergy, or underlying medical conditions [6].
How to treat constipation?
Treating constipation involves lifestyle changes, dietary adjustments, and medication.
Life style changes: A great way to treat constipation is by eating more high-fibre foods. Gradually include options like whole wheat bread, berries, prunes, bran flakes, broccoli, spinach, sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, carrots, squash, avocado, beans, lentils, oatmeal, shredded wheat, and flaxseeds in your meals [7, 8].
Avoid processed snacks, fast food, and too much meat or dairy, as these foods lack fibre. Also, drink plenty of water and other fluids, aiming for at least 1.5 litres a day [7, 8].
Regular physical activity is key to treating constipation. Try to add more movement to your day, like taking the stairs instead of the elevator, walking instead of driving, or taking breaks at work to walk around [7, 8].
Bulk-forming agents:Bulk-forming agents can help treat constipation by absorbing water in the intestines to increase stool bulk, making it easier to pass. Examples include polycarbophil (FiberCon), inulin (Metamucil), wheat dextrin (Benefiber), and methylcellulose (Citrucel) [7, 8].
It's important to drink plenty of water when using a bulk-forming agent, as not doing so could cause a blockage in the bowel. You might also experience mild abdominal pain, bloating, or gas after taking these medications [7, 8].
What are kidney stones?
Kidney stones, or urinary calculi, are hard deposits of minerals and salts that form in the kidneys. While they start in the kidneys, they can develop anywhere along the urinary tract, which includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. Kidney stones can affect any part of the urinary tract [9].
What causes kidney stones?
Kidney stones can have various causes and can form anywhere in the urinary tract. They often develop when urine concentrates, causing minerals to crystallise and stick together. The causes of kidney stones in children are different from those in adults. Young children, especially boys, are more likely to develop infective stones, although this type of stone has become less common in wealthier countries over time [10].
Metabolic disorders and anatomical abnormalities are common causes of kidney stones in children. Sometimes, the stones may be linked to inherited conditions, urinary tract infections, idiopathic hypercalciuria, or nutritional deficiency diseases [11].
Two genetic conditions, cystinuria and hyperoxaluria, are responsible for 5-15% of kidney stones in children. Cystinuria is an inherited condition that causes kidney stones because the body can't properly reabsorb cystine in the kidneys [10, 12].
Children risk developing calcium carbonate stones in some areas, like the Yucatán Peninsula. These rare stones comprise only 0.01%-1.4% of urolithiasis cases [13].
Pediatric urolithiasis is more common in some developing regions, such as the Far East, Middle East, and Turkey. In these areas, kidney stones in children are often caused by metabolic issues, anatomical abnormalities, infections, or unknown reasons [14].
In some cases, the cause of kidney stones is unknown, but it’s believed that the process is similar to how gallstones form. Gallstones typically develop when bile stays in the gallbladder for too long. If bile isn't fully emptied, it can thicken into sludge and eventually form stones [15].
How to treat kidney stones?
The treatment for kidney stones depends largely on the size and type of the stone.
For small kidney stones, the main treatment is staying hydrated. Drinking plenty of water can help the kidneys pass the stone independently. Drinking enough fluids to pass at least 2.5 litres of urine daily [16, 17, 18].
Over-the-counter pain relievers can help manage the discomfort of passing a small kidney stone. Sometimes, your doctor may prescribe an alpha-blocker to help the stone pass faster [19].
For larger stones that are causing severe symptoms or might be causing an infection, surgical intervention may be necessary. One common surgical option is shock-wave lithotripsy, which uses sound waves to break up the stones so they can pass through the urine [16, 19, 20].
Another surgical option is ureteroscopy, which involves using a thin tool called an endoscope that is inserted through the urethra to remove the kidney stone [16, 19, 20].
In some cases, a surgery called nephrolithotomy may be done. This procedure creates a passageway from the kidney to the skin, allowing the stones to be removed [16].
Treatment for certain types of stones, like uric acid and cystine stones, may include urinary alkalinisation, which raises the pH of the urine. This can be done through dietary changes, medication, or alkaline mineral waters [22]
In addition to these treatments, lifestyle changes like maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, and eating a balanced diet can also help prevent kidney stones from forming [18].
Are Kidney stones and constipation related?
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However, it's important to note that kidney stones do not typically affect bowel movements except in extremely rare cases, such as a kidney stone causing a bowel obstruction [22].
In conclusion, while constipation does not directly cause kidney stones, there is a correlation between the two, especially in individuals with a higher BMI. More research is needed to fully understand the relationship between kidney stones and constipation.