Bowel movements refer to the normal process of emptying waste material from the stomach system that serves no purpose in the body. Our body absorbs nutrients from the food we eat and the rest of the waste material is eliminated from the body through the anus as feces. Bowel movement means how often a person passes stool and what the consistency of the stool is. It varies from individual to individual and there is no set, definitive pattern of normal bowel movements. A person may have bowel movements one or more times a day or may go a day or two without having a bowel movement. But generally speaking, three bowel movements per day to three bowel movements per week are considered normal. The stool may also be soft, hard or loose. Bowel movements can sometimes vary from person to person and there is no need to worry about any changes. However, if there is a sudden or significant change in the regularity, frequency or consistency of bowel movements, this is referred to as irregular bowel movements.
It may simply be the result of changes in diet, change in daily routine, stress, anxiety, as part of aging, changes in gut bacteria, or it may indicate an underlying health problem that needs treatment. A common health problem is IBS, or irritable bowel syndrome. IBS refers to a functional disorder of the colon (large intestine) in which bowel movements change, meaning diarrhea or constipation or an alternation between the two, abdominal bloating and stomach cramps. Another health problem could be IBD (inflammatory bowel disease), which includes two inflammatory conditions of the digestive tract: ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Ulcerative colitis causes inflammation and ulcers in the lining of the colon and rectum. Crohn’s disease leads to inflammation in every part of the gastrointestinal tract, from mouth to anus. The next health condition is celiac disease (a stomach condition in which eating gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye and barley, triggers an immune response that leads to damage to the small intestine and causes symptoms such as bloating, diarrhea, gas, stomach pain, fatty stools, anemia and weight loss).
Other reasons may include food intolerance, thyroid problems and neurological problems such as multiple sclerosis (a disease in which immune cells damage the protective myelin sheath of nerve fibers and hinder communication between the brain and the rest of the body parts). In addition, the use of some medications, such as antibiotics and painkillers, can lead to irregular bowel movements. Irregular bowel movements can cause diarrhea or constipation, or an alternation between the two. Depending on the cause, other symptoms may also occur, such as abdominal pain, bloating, difficulty passing stool, feeling of incomplete emptying of the intestines, urge to urinate, mucus in the stool, undigested food particles in the stool, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, blood in the stool, weakness and weight loss.
Homeopathic treatment
Homeopathy appears to be very effective for irregular bowel movements. Homeopathic medicines help to regularize bowel movements in a very natural way. Homeopathic treatment for this complaint is in all cases on a symptomatic basis. Individualized treatment is performed based on the individual’s characteristic symptom. Homeopathic medicines are of natural origin and therefore 100% safe to use without side effects. Since there are no specific medications to treat this condition and treatment is purely based on the individual’s symptoms, it is advisable to have your case assessed by a homeopathic doctor for the right prescription and dosage.
Homeopathic medicines for irregular bowel movements
1. Aloe Socotrina – Top medicine for diarrhea
This medicine is the main medicine for treating cases of diarrhea. In cases where this is necessary, the stool is loose with the urge to pass stool immediately after eating or drinking. There is a sudden urge to pass stools while rushing to the toilet. Gas can pass along with the stool. In some cases, mucus appears in the stool. There may be abdominal pain before and during urination. A constant downward feeling can be felt in the rectum. Sometimes stool is passed involuntarily when passing gas.
2. Podophyllum – For copious watery stools
This medicine is useful if the stool is copious and watery. The stool disappears in a stream, that is, suddenly with intense force. The stool may be yellow or green colored. It may contain mucus or undigested food particles. The feces have an unpleasant odor. A sudden urge to defecate may occur.
3. China Officinalis – For loose stools with weakness
China Officinalis works well for loose stools accompanied by weakness. The stool is copious and accompanied by excessive gas in the abdomen. Abdominal pain can occur due to gas. The abdomen is bloated. The feces smell bad. Rumbling occurs in the stomach.
4. Croton Tiglium – For sudden bowel movements after eating/drinking
This medicine is recommended for cases where a sudden urge to defecate occurs immediately after eating or drinking. The stool comes out with great force. Pain in the abdomen may occur when passing stool. Nausea may be felt while passing stool, which is yellow or greenish. It may contain mucus or white flakes.
5. Nux Vomica – For constipation with frequent urge to defecate
Nux Vomica is the best drug for the treatment of constipation with a frequent, almost constant, ineffective urge to urinate. It may be recommended for individuals who have few bowel movements several times a day, because the bowel movements are unsatisfactory. Despite having regular bowel movements in a day, they feel like their bowels have not been completely emptied and that more stools are still due, which gives them the feeling that they are never done. They may feel pain in the abdomen. Nausea and vomiting may be felt especially in the morning.
6. Bryonia – For constipation with dry, hard stools
This medicine is very effective when there is constipation in which dry, hard stools are passed in lump form. The stool is difficult to pass and appears burnt. In addition, there is distension of the abdomen.
7. Alumina – For constipation without the urge to be together for days
Alumina is a useful medicine for cases when a person has no urge to pass stool for days. Feces are excreted when large amounts of feces have accumulated in the intestines. When urge occurs, stool is passed with intensive effort, either with hard or soft stools.
8. Antimonium Crudum – For alternative constipation and diarrhea
This medicine is very suitable for treating cases where there is a change between constipation and diarrhea. Watery stools occur with small hard lumps or undigested food particles in them. A sharp pain in the abdomen may be felt before passing stool. Vomiting may also occur. During constipation there is difficulty passing dry, hard stools. There may be gas in the abdomen. A characteristic feature that is usually associated with stomach complaints is the thick white-coated tongue.
9. Lycopodium – For alternative diarrhea and constipation with bloating
This medicine is prominently indicated for alternating diarrhea and constipation with bloating. People who need this complain of gas and abdominal distension after eating even a small amount of food. Gas and bloating are marked in the lower abdomen. Some specific foods that worsen the symptoms include cabbage, onions and beans.