Constipation, Qabz, Husr, Ehtebaas-al- batan, Eátaqaal-al- batan, Ehtabas-al- tabiya, Eátaqaal-al- tabiya and Imsaak-ul- batan
The home of disease and the mother of disease
The Arabs of old said, “The stomach is the home of disease and restraint is the basis of the remedy.” There is also an old saying that “constipation is the mother of all diseases”. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “The son of Adam does not fill any vessel worse than his stomach. It is sufficient for the son of Adam to eat a few mouthfuls, to keep him going. If he must do that (fill his stomach), then let him fill one third with food, one third with drink and one third with air.”
The Cause of constipation
The National Health Portal India states that, “According to Unani Medicine, constipation (qabz) is caused by intake of less quantity of food, consumption of constipative and flatulent diets, decreased repulsive force or increased retensive force of intestine, weakened intestinal sensation and muscles, excessive absorption of chyme by the liver, decreased flow of secretions towards intestine and weakened heat of stomach and intestine…” and is a result of a “faulty lifestyle and wrong dietary pattern. Causes like untimely, unbalanced food habits, irregular sleeping habits, and low physical exercise are few of them. It is also mentioned that constipation is the mother of all diseases. It causes gastritis, piles, duodenal ulcer and severe abdominal pain.”
Diagnosing Constipation
In June 2019 research by King's College London it was reported that
The “public's perception of constipation differs drastically from that of doctors' and from the formal diagnosis guidelines.”
“Currently prescription medication for constipation fails in nearly 60% of patients and almost half report not being satisfied with their treatment.”
“Nearly one in three "healthy" patients were … clinically constipated but did not recognise it.”
“The study also highlighted six key symptom clusters which were commonly agreed upon across the study groups: abdominal discomfort, pain and bloating; rectal discomfort; infrequent bowel movements and hard stools; sensory dysfunction; flatulence and bloating; fecal incontinence.”
Recommendations
Drink more water.
Do more exercise.
Walk or do light exercise in the open air in the morning.
Take a hot bath on an empty stomach.
Eat radishes, turnips, peas, carrots, tomatoes, beetroot, sprouts, coriander, cabbage, and mint.
Eat avocados, guava, mangoes, oranges, papaya, and grapes.
Eat dried figs, almonds, apricots, and dates.
Drink apple-pear juice.
Eat stewed prunes, figs, and dates.
Chew food properly.
Drink more soup.
At the end of meal, eat watermelon, mangoes, and cucumber.
Eat honey and lentils.
Reduce bread, white flour, biscuits, preserves, sugar, cakes, pasta, pizzas, burgers, cookies.
Avoid fast foods, coffee and strong tea, fried foods, oily and junk foods.
Avoid boiled eggs, cheese and yoghurt.
Avoid spices, fats, and excessive salt.