Intoxication with constipation symptoms in adults

Intoxication due to constipation is almost inevitable if the intestines become clogged with feces. This situation requires an immediate solution, because otherwise all body systems may suffer.

Constipation is a problem that involves difficulty or insufficiency in the passage of stool. It is considered a symptom of various gastrointestinal diseases, and not an independent disease.

Intoxication of the body with constipation begins if bowel movements do not occur for more than two days. Anyone can encounter this pathology over time. And if you take the problem lightly and do not take any measures, everything can result in serious consequences for your health.

What is intoxication from constipation?

Prolonged presence of feces in the intestines leads to the formation and accumulation of toxic substances. Intoxication of the body due to constipation is caused by the following processes:

• rotting of protein substances;
• decreased natural detoxification of foods by the liver;
• destruction of the intestinal epithelium;
• absorption of toxins from the intestines into the bloodstream;
• return to the digestive organs.

The rotting of proteins is accompanied by the release of nitrogen-containing substances, cadaveric poisons - ammonia, putrescine, skatole, hydrogen sulfide compounds. With normal intestinal motility, they are quickly excreted in the feces. Few toxins enter the liver, which are decomposed by enzymes and hepatocytes (liver cells).

With constipation, the amount of toxic substances increases. After being absorbed into the blood, they are distributed throughout the body and accumulate in various organs.

Fecal intoxication is increasing every day. The longer a person does not go to the toilet, the more poisoned the body becomes.

How to avoid intoxication during constipation?

In fact, you can prevent fecal retention by following simple rules:

1. Treat gastrointestinal diseases in a timely manner.
2. Maintain an optimal diet and do not indulge in fast food.
3. Provide the body with a sufficient amount of fluid.
4. Moving more is one of the common causes of a sedentary lifestyle.
5. During pregnancy, follow your doctor's orders and do feasible gymnastic exercises. To avoid constipation, add more fiber-rich foods to your menu.

Fecal retention can easily lead to intoxication of the body. But more often this condition is a sign of an existing pathology. To prevent the situation from worsening, you need to constantly adhere to prevention. And if you do happen to be poisoned, use folk remedies. If constipation lasts longer than a few days, it is advisable to seek professional help. In case of chronic course, it is necessary to adjust the menu.

The human body is a very complex system where all organs are in close relationship with each other. A malfunction of one of them can provoke completely unpredictable symptoms. Few people realize that feeling unwell is intoxication of the body due to constipation.

With slow, difficult or systematically insufficient bowel movement, not only abdominal pain and bloating are observed, but poisoning of the entire body occurs. Constipation is the most common disorder in the gastrointestinal tract, which many treat negligently. And in vain.

If bowel movements do not occur within 48 hours, immediate action must be taken to correct the situation.

Types of constipation

Chronic constipation, or constipation, is a clinical syndrome of dysfunction of the large intestine. Manifested by slow, difficult or insufficient bowel movements.

There are different main types of constipation:

1. Spicy. There is no bowel movement for more than three days. It can occur with a condition of intestinal obstruction caused by the closure of the intestinal lumen by a tumor.
2. Chronic. Systematic stool retention has been observed for six months. Over the past three months, there have been episodes of difficult bowel movements three times a week.

Depending on the mechanism of development, there are several types of constipation:

• Atonic. Occurs due to decreased peristalsis due to lack of intestinal muscle tone. The movement of feces occurs with great difficulty. A person suffers and strains during bowel movements.
• Spastic. It occurs due to spasm of the intestinal muscles, because their tone is constantly increased. The condition is accompanied by bloating, colic, and a feeling of heaviness.
• Mechanical. Caused by adhesions, tumors, ovarian cysts, volvulus.
• Toxic. Caused by poisoning of the body with toxic substances at work - lead, benzene, mercury.
• Neurogenic. Occurs when there is excessive emotional stress.

There are other classifications of constipation depending on the pathogenesis and etiology of the development of the pathological condition of the intestine.

How to prevent constipation and intoxication?

The main causes of defecation disorders are poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle. In this regard, it is necessary to carefully adjust your diet, start leading an active lifestyle, that is, play sports, spend more time in the fresh air, go for walks more often, and also regularly undergo all the necessary examinations to avoid problems with the gastrointestinal tract .

If constipation cannot be avoided, then the first thing to do is to balance the diet and include foods that help soften stool: fermented milk products, carrots, apples, bananas, plums, boiled pumpkin, whole grain porridge. In addition, you need to try to consume liquids as much as possible - these can be compotes, fruit drinks, weak tea, boiled water. Until intestinal function is fully restored, it is necessary to avoid eating foods that can cause gas formation and heaviness in the stomach. If constipation occurs too often, it is recommended to avoid fried, smoked and sweet foods. As for drinks, it is not recommended to drink alcohol, coffee and strong black tea.

Causes of constipation

Stool retention can be caused by many factors or diseases. But most often the problem occurs due to poor nutrition. Main causes of constipation:

• Physical inactivity. A sedentary lifestyle reduces the tone of intestinal smooth muscles, which leads to sluggish peristalsis of the loops. Feces cause intoxication due to constipation. In office workers and people accustomed to spending time at home on the couch, the blood supply to the intestines is disrupted.
• Unbalanced diet. Lack of dietary fiber in the diet, which is found in cereals and whole grain bread. Deficiency in the diet of vegetables and fruits that promote nutrition.
• Insufficient water consumption leads to hardening of feces, making it difficult to remove. The problem occurs in those who drink less than 1.5 liters of liquid per day, as well as in people who abuse coffee and alcoholic beverages. These products have a diuretic effect.
• Taking certain medications. Constipation is a side effect of antacids, sorbents, and iron supplements. Some laxatives, when taken uncontrolled, reduce intestinal tone. Medicines to reduce gastric secretion also lead to stool retention.
• Pregnancy. In the first half of gestation, hormonal changes reduce the tone of intestinal smooth muscles. As the child grows, the enlarged uterus of pregnant women puts pressure on the intestines, disrupting its function.
• Restraining the urge to stool. Some people refuse to go to a public toilet out of disgust. If defecation is delayed frequently, the rectum becomes stretched. At the same time, it becomes less sensitive. Subsequent urges are poorly perceived by receptors. The person does not have the desire to defecate.
• Stress. Intestinal function is regulated by the autonomic nervous system. With prolonged stress, it malfunctions, which negatively affects the motility of the intestinal loops.

Diseases of the digestive system lead to constipation due to fecal poisoning. Tumors and polyps cause mechanical obstruction. Hyperacid gastritis and gastric ulcers are usually accompanied by delayed bowel movements. Abnormal bowel movements in adults often have a psychological cause: fear of painful bowel movements due to hemorrhoids.

Types and causes of fecal intoxication

The main cause of defecation disorders is intestinal dysfunction. The organ does not saturate the feces with liquid, its contractile function is impaired. There is no pushing of feces into the rectum.

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There are many reasons for this condition. Depending on the etiology of the pathological condition, the following types of constipation are distinguished:

1. Nutritional form – the main cause is malnutrition. This is a lack of fluid, plant fiber, vitamins, starvation.
2. Neurogenic form - the patient independently suppresses the urge to have a bowel movement. The main reasons for this behavior are the lack of a favorite toilet, the presence of cracks in the rectum, and hemorrhoids.
3. Hypodynamic form – lack of movement. Elderly people and pregnant women are more often affected.
4. Inflammatory or infectious in nature - the presence of colitis, enterocolitis of various etiologies.
5. Proctogenic form - impaired sensitivity of the rectum.
6. Mechanical - develops due to intestinal stenosis caused by diseases, cancerous tumors.
7. Toxic – caused by the chronic action of toxic substances. For example, in case of lead poisoning in smokers.
8. Medicinal form – develops with long-term use of medications as a side effect of the drug. It occurs more often when taking aspirin, antispasmodics, iron supplements, and antidepressants.
9. Endocrine form - develops with various pathologies of the endocrine glands. Common causes are diabetes mellitus and thyroid disease. Thyroxine has a tonic effect on the intestinal muscles; its deficiency has a detrimental effect on the motor function of the organ.

Symptoms of fecal poisoning

Fecal poisoning makes itself felt by signs that appear after the second day in the intestines. Symptoms of intoxication due to constipation vary. Some of them are caused directly by the action of fecal lumps:

• severe pain during defecation:
• feeling of heaviness in the stomach with bloating;
• a feeling of incomplete emptying after the patient has gone to the toilet;
• Sometimes diarrhea occurs, caused by the leakage of the liquid part of the stool into the rectum.

After the absorption of harmful substances from the intestines into the blood, poisoning of the entire body develops.

General intoxication can be recognized by the presence of symptoms:

• headache;
• temperature rise to subfebrile levels (37.0–37.3 °C);
• bad breath;
• the appearance of acne on the face and body;
• nausea;
• belching, heartburn;
• coated tongue;
• periodic vomiting;
• decreased appetite.

In adults, poisoning of the nervous system comes to the fore - sleep disturbance, irritability. Infants often cry and spit up. With chronic constipation, physical and mental development is impaired.

Symptoms of constipation and intoxication

The most basic sign of constipation is the absence of bowel movements for two days or more. Often with constipation, signs such as flatulence, severe gas formation and pain in the abdominal area are observed. If defecation does not occur after two or three days, then the person loses the need to eat, severe fatigue and fatigue appear, and a constant heaviness is felt in the stomach. All this means that the person’s body has begun to be poisoned.

Signs of intoxication of the body during constipation depend on what substances are poisoning the body and their quantity, as well as on how well the immune system is protected and on the presence of any chronic diseases. The presence of signs of intoxication also depends on the form in which the process is currently occurring - acute or chronic.

1. The general clinical picture of intoxication of the body with constipation includes the following symptoms: severe and frequent headaches, nausea and vomiting, pain and aches in muscles and joints may be observed, constipation alternates with diarrhea, increased body temperature, constant fatigue, weakness and drowsiness, lack of appetite;
2. Signs of intoxication of the body, occurring in a chronic form, differ from the general clinical picture. Chronic intoxication is characterized by symptoms such as: irritability that occurs for no reason, frequent headaches, unpleasant odor from the mouth, poor appetite, white coating on the surface of the tongue, severe hair loss, skin rashes, gastrointestinal dysfunction -intestinal tract, weight loss.

First aid for intoxication from constipation

After poisoning, constipation must be eliminated. If you need quick help to empty the intestines, it is better to use the drug Microlax, produced in the form of a ready-made microenema. After the procedure, bowel movement will occur within 10 minutes.

Bisacodyl and Glycelax suppositories also work very quickly, but their use is often not recommended.

As an alternative, glycerin rectal suppositories can be used. Suppositories are effective for chronic constipation in older people.

Treatment of intoxication from constipation

To relieve constipation after poisoning, medications are prescribed by doctors.

The selection of drugs depends on the cause of the disease and the mechanism of action of the drug.

At the stage of establishing a diagnosis, an X-ray examination of the intestine, scatological tests, and ultrasound examination of the abdomen are required.

Complex therapy is used for treatment:

• Constipation after poisoning in an adult can be eliminated with laxatives. The pharmacy has a large selection of tablets with different mechanisms of action. These remedies will take effect within 6 hours.
• To reduce the concentration of toxins, glucose-saline solutions are administered intravenously.
• Sorbents - Polysorb, Atoxil, Smecta, activated carbon, etc. - help reduce the absorption of harmful substances from the intestines.
• Diuretics remove toxins.

During the course of therapy, drugs that support liver function are used - Gepabene, Heptral. Traditional methods of treatment are used, mainly medicinal herbs.

Diagnosis of the disease and what to do if there are signs of intoxication

To get rid of the symptoms of intoxication, it is necessary to restore the normal process of defecation by all available means. To do this, it is necessary, first of all, to identify the cause of intestinal motility disorders. In medical institutions, the following diagnostic methods are available for this:

• using percussion (tapping) or palpation - the doctor determines whether there is bloating or intestinal obstruction;
• examination and palpation of the anus - necessary to identify hemorrhoids, anal fissures, tumors;
• a general blood and urine test is also required;
• the patient tests stool for dysbacteriosis, hidden blood, etc.;
• in exceptional cases, to diagnose the disease, a colonoscopy procedure may be necessary - examination of the large intestine using a special device - a colonoscope.

Linex in the treatment of intoxication due to constipation
In most cases, malnutrition, dysbiosis and a sedentary lifestyle are the main reasons for the development of constipation and intoxication of the body. In order to correct the situation and restore normal digestion, you can use the following methods at home:

• The simplest thing is to use laxatives. However, often this does not solve the main problem and the effect is short-term. Moreover, laxative abuse can be addictive;
• normalization of nutrition - it is necessary to increase the amount of foods containing a large amount of fiber: vegetables, fruits, grains, bread with bran;
• maintain normal water balance - the daily norm for a person is 3 milliliters of fluid per kilogram of body weight;
• People who have encountered various types of poisoning are often tormented by the question: if constipation occurs after poisoning, what should be done first? In this case, the patient is recommended to take drugs from the group of absorbents: activated carbon, etc.;
• to restore the microflora of the gastrointestinal tract, it is recommended to take probiotics: “Linex”, “Bifiform”, “Enterol”;
• physical activity is also extremely important to relieve constipation;
• Traditional medicine also helps well: red beet juice, chamomile and dandelion decoctions;
• in exceptional cases, you can resort to enemas.

Bifiform

Attention! It is not recommended to abuse enemas more than 2 times a week - the procedure helps to wash out electrolytes and fluids.

Enterol

Consequences

Long-term constipation does not go away without leaving a trace for a person. Regular stool retention with intoxication of the body leads to dangerous complications:

• rectal prolapse;
• haemorrhoids;
• anal fissures;
• intestinal obstruction;
• dysbacteriosis;
• hypovitaminosis;
• diverticulosis of segments of the large intestine;
• hemorrhoidal bleeding.

Intoxication from constipation often leads to acute conditions - perforation of the intestinal wall, acute liver failure, intestinal obstruction.

Prevention

To prevent constipation, you first need to treat its cause. Diseases that are always accompanied by stool disorders are stomach ulcers, chronic colitis, helminthiasis, duodenitis.

To avoid constipation, move more. A balanced diet is important for prevention. Include foods with a laxative effect in your diet - prunes, figs, berries. The menu should consist of foods rich in fiber - cereals, vegetables, fruits, whole grain bread. Salty, fried foods, canned food, and smoked foods are limited.

Don't hesitate to consult a doctor if you have constipation. Digestive problems are their routine. A timely diagnosis will relieve discomfort in everyday life and prevent the development of complications.

First aid and therapy

If fecal poisoning has developed, all actions should be aimed at stopping the intoxication process and restoring normal bowel movements:

• the victim needs to be given plenty of water (but in no case with carbonated drinks),
• give suppositories, suppositories, tablets or oil drops with a laxative effect (castor oil helps well, but it must be used carefully so as not to provoke the opposite effect - severe diarrhea),
• give an enema,
• relieve intoxication with sorbents (activated carbon, Smecta, Enterosgel, etc.),
• antihistamine for allergies arising from intoxication,
• Decoctions of chamomile or dandelion as options from traditional medicine will help well against constipation.

If there are problems with the gastrointestinal tract, including constipation, you must follow a special diet. Products allowed for the problem under consideration should soften stool and promote their excretion, i.e., have some laxative effect:

• whole grain porridge,
• fermented milk products,
• prunes,
• from vegetables - you definitely need beets,
• fresh fruits (apples, plums),
• foods rich in fiber
• compotes and fruit drinks from berries.

If you are constipated, you will have to exclude from your diet foods that are difficult and take a long time to digest, activate gas formation in the gastrointestinal tract or have a fixing effect:

• soda,
• fried foods,
• smoked meats,
• sweets,
• alcohol,
• legumes,
• mushrooms,
• some vegetables and fruits (cabbage, grapes, etc.),
• jelly,
• rice porridge.

As for medications and dosages, you cannot do without consulting a doctor, which is especially important for frequent constipation.