Anaha is a very common digestive problem. It is faced by many people all around the world on a regular basis. Everyone must have suffered from anaha at some points in their lives.

Anaha or simple constipation is a condition in which the person is unable to eliminate feces in the normal manner. The feces in a constipated person could be hard, with an extremely offensive odor and even sticky. There could be pain during the elimination of the feces. If anaha continues, it can lead to more severe problems such as alsak (acute intestinal obstruction) or complicated or chronic constipation which is also known as obstipation.

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Anaha can be caused by both a vitiation of the vata and the pittadoshas. Characteristics of vata and pitta caused anaha are given below:-

(i) Vata Constitution Anaha – Vata is wind. In anaha caused due to vata, there is too much wind in the body. The sub-dosha that controls the movement of the pelvis and thus the expulsion of the fecal matter from the body is apana vata. When anaha begins due to apana vatadosha, the bowels become dried up due to the presence of wind. This causes a difficulty in elimation of the bowels as there is no suitable lubrication. This is characterized by hard and compacted fecal matter.

(ii) Pitta Constitution Anaha – Pitta is heat or fire. Due to the presence of too much heat in the colon, dryness is caused aggravating the condition of apana vata. In order to counter the excessive heat, the body may produce mucus or watery products leading to stickiness. Sometimes the mucus could be discharged in a large amount clogging the colon. The characteristic of pitta related anaha is mucusated or sticky fecal matter.

Changes in the vata and pittadoshas of the body can be caused by either one or more of the following factors:-

Diet low in fiber

Diet low in fresh fruits and green leafy vegetables

Too much hot, spicy and oily food

Alcoholism

Smoking

Medication such as diuretics and antibiotics

Food poisoning, especially lead poisoning

Less physical exercise

Sedentary lifestyle

Tensions and worries

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Symptoms of Anaha and Chronic Constipation

The presence of anaha can be easily determined by the examination of fecal matter. The following are the early symptoms and warning signs of anaha:-

(i) In the first stage, there will be a difficulty in passing stool. The stool will be sticky or hard and will be difficult to eliminate.

(ii) As the anaha advances, the exertion on the anus could lead to fissures and hemorrhoids. This could cause bleeding along with the stools.

(iii) The abdomen could feel bloated and crampy. There could be a dull pain in the lower portion of the abdomen.

(iv) There are bowel sounds in the abdomen as well as when the stools are being passed out.

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Anaha can be easily avoided if a person takes some precautions. The following steps will ensure that a person maintains a healthy constitution of the vata and pitta doshas so that anaha would be kept at bay:-

(i) There should be a good amount of cellulose containing foods like green leafy vegetables in the diet. This helps in providing roughage for the movement of bowels.

(ii) A heavy meal should be followed by digestive fruits such as plantains, oranges, bananas, apples, etc. This helps in quick digestion.

(iii) A glass of warm water must be had when the stomach begins to feel heavy, especially in the morning before visiting the toilet. This is helpful in chronic constipation relief

(iv) Dry fruits must be avoided by people with increased vata and pitta constitutions. Dry fruits increase the heat of the body and cause anaha. One way to have dry fruits is to soak them in water so as to cool them down.

(v) Avoid oily and spicy foods in the summer seasons. The outside heat will increase the pitta within the body causing anaha complications.

(vi) If you have doubts of getting constipated due to a heavy dinner, have a glassful of milk with two teaspoons of castor oil in it. This will help in eliminating proper stools in the morning.

(vii) Exercise is a must for people with regular anaha problems. Light exercise tightens the muscles of the abdomen and facilitates them to perform their tasks of digestion better.

(viii) Keeping yourself busy with your work and hobbies will relieve your mind of worries and tensions. This also aids in better digestion.

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Constipation Relief

Ayurveda has a treasurehouse of herbs for the proper treatment of anaha or in constipation relief. These herbs can act both when the food is being taken in and when the feces have to be passed out. Different herbs with their actions on the human body are described in the table below:-

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