Constipation and Depression

Constipation and depression have a history ofand it throws everything off. It's interesting to note, that
coinciding with each other. Is it coincidence or is therein most cases, the body can actually fix the problem
an underlying reason? Constipation can be a painfulitself. Unfortunately, it can take 1 to 3 years for that to
and troublesome condition, but does it cause clinicalhappen and deeply depressed sufferers can't wait
depression? And on the other hand, can depressionthat long.
actually cause constipation? I hope to help lay theseTo replace the depleted serotonin and norepinephrine
questions to rest for any one suffering from theselevels, patients are usually prescribed Antidepressants.
two conditions.One of the main side effects of Antidepressants is
We should first look at what the diagnosis forconstipation.
constipation consists of. Constipation is when theWhy constipation makes us feel depressed
individual has two or fewer bowel movements within aWhile constipation in and of itself does not cause
week. If three days pass with no bowel movement, itclinical depression, it can cause someone to feel
could pose a serious health risk. The stool will continuedepressed. The reason is again because of the
to harden the longer it's in the body, making it evenchemicals in the brain. Constipation prohibits food
more difficult to expel. Patients are also considerednutrients from being absorbed by the body. These
constipated if they experience hard stools, straining ornutrients are needed for the brain to produce the right
incomplete evacuations 25% of the time they do haveamount of serotonin and norepinephrine. When
bowel movements.constipated for a long period, the lining of the small
Depression can be the result of numerous factors.intestine can actually build up a layer of toxins that fully
Lifestyle changes, eating habits, loss of a loved oneprevent any nutrients from being absorbed. Toxins that
and health issues can play a huge role in depressionare normally expelled by the body through bowel
cases. Depression can also be rather difficult tomovements now have nowhere to go but to be
diagnose in many cases. Understanding the signs andre-absorbed by the body, making matters even worse.
symptoms of both of these conditions will help you toWomen are prime targets for both conditions,
have a better understanding of what to look for, howespecially while pregnant. The body's hormones are
to deal with them and how to prevent them.going so berserk that depression is rarely not seen
How to tell if you may be Depressedduring or after pregnancy. Another stage in a woman's
The two most obvious symptoms of depressionlife that brings on depression is menopause. It's been
include feelings of sadness or hopelessness and ashown that estrogen provokes dramatic changes in
general loss of interest in daily activities that usuallythe brain's activity.
bring pleasure. Depression can be difficult to diagnoseWhat can be done to prevent constipation and
properly because it truly is a condition of extremes. Itdepression?
can cause weight gain or weight loss. It can causeWhen you're not feeling good, or feeling depressed
insomnia or the sufferer may want to sleep all day. Itabout something, the most common thing people tend
can cause pain to move while at the same timeto do is head for some comfort food. It's usually heavy
causing restlessness. And yes, it can causeand unhealthy but totally delicious, right? Unfortunately,
constipation or diarrhea.those foods, when eaten in large quantities, wreck
Depression affects the body's entire system, not justhavoc on an already delicate gastrointestinal situation. It
the emotional aspect. It causes the digestive system tomakes it almost inevitable that when you're depressed,
function improperly. Headaches and bodily pain areyou'll also end up constipated. It's a vicious circle that
commonplace. In a state of depression, the brainmany get stuck in.
actually isn't functioning the way it's supposed to. It's noThe chances of becoming constipated and/or
wonder that depressed individuals feel as though thedepressed can be dramatically lowered by eating a
world is falling down around them. In a sense, it really is.healthy diet and following a regular exercise routine.
In the brain, there are two chemicals that affect yourAvoiding alcohol and drugs can save the body from
mood. Serotonin and norepinephrine. These twomany traumas, both mental and physical. Try to follow
chemicals work as transmitters, sending signals froma regular sleep pattern. Most importantly, if you begin to
the brain to the nerves in the body. When there is afeel depressed, or have thoughts of suicide, you need
deficiency in these chemicals, the signals don't get sentto seek help as soon as possible.