Tuesday January 22 / 2008

12:10: The Health Roundup with Jay, Jamie and Jimmy.

12:20: Time to whip it into shape! Not with Devo, but with Ernie!

Guest: Ernie Schramayr over at All Canadian Fitness. 905.548.6732.

12:35: Ontario doctors say the province doesn’t do enough to help smokers butt out. The Ontario Medical Association says the province has to make it easier for smokers to get medication that will help them quit.

Guest: Dr. Ted Boadway, Health Policy Consultant for the Ontario Medical Association.

12:45: DayNight time.

Guest: Hilton

Hilton talked about Constipation!

What is constipation ? Constipation is defined as having a bowel movement fewer than three times per week. With constipation stools are usually hard, dry, small in size and difficult to eliminate. Some people who are constipated find it painful to have a bowel movement and often also experience bloating, straining and the sensation of a full bowel. Not having a bowel movement everyday does not necessary mean you are constipated, normal stool elimination can be three times a day to three times a week, depends on the person. Constipation is a symptom not a disease. Almost everyone will experience constipation at some point in their life, poor diet is usually the cause. Most constipation is temporary and not serious. Understanding the cause the prevention and treatment will help most people find relief. Constipation is the most common gastrointestinal complaints in the United States, 4 million have frequent constipation with 2.5 million physician visits each year. Constipation occurs when the colon absorbs too much water or if the colon's muscle contractions are slow or sluggish, causing the stool to move through the colon too slowly. As a result stools can became hard and dry. Common causes of constipation are:

• Not enough fiber in the diet
• Lack of physical activity (especially in the elderly)
• medications
• milk
• IBS
• Changes in life or routine, pregnancy, aging, travel
• Abuse of laxatives
• Ignoring the urge to have a bowel movement
• Dehydration
• Specific diseases or conditions like stroke
• Problems with the colon and rectum
• Problems with intestinal function

How is Constipated treated? Although treatment depends on the cause, severity and duration of the constipation, inmost cases dietary and lifestyle changes will help relieve symptoms and help prevent them from recurring.

• Diet
• Lifestyle changes
• laxatives
• Stimulants
• Osmotics
• Stool softeners
• Lubricants
• Saline laxatives
• Chloride channel activators