Can Meth Cause Constipation?

Methamphetamine, an illegal drug,  is well known for its ability to adversely affect an individual’s mental, physical as well as emotional  health. Well, what if I tell you that the consumption of meth is now found to be influencing a person’s digestive health as well.

In this article, we will reveal the effects of this drug in detail and answer this unique yet surprising question, “can meth cause constipation?”

So, let’s get started!

Methamphetamine and constipation

The process hidden behind the Meth use and bowel problems such as constipation involves the following reasons:

Imbalance of Gut Neurotransmitters:

Methamphetamine, a strong illegal drug, holds the power to influence a person’s central nervous system. It disturbs the neurotransmitter’s equilibrium which leads to severe stomach pain and constipation as a result of lowered gastrointestinal motility.

Effects of Vasoconstriction:

One of the effects or meth is the vasoconstrictive effect which leads to a restricted blood flow in the body as a result or constricted blood vessels affecting the digestive organs. This  reduced and disrupted blood flow affects the digestive system function of an individual which in return causes constipation or delayed stool.

Suppression of Appetite:

When an individual consumes this strong illegal drug known as meth, his or her appetite reduces and meth substitutes the crucial nutrition that a body needs  in order to maintain a healthy digestive system.

Due to this inadequate intake of fibre and a lack of nourishment in the body, constipation and related digestive issues take place.

Dehydration and Poor Hygiene:

Regular meth addicts are not really in the mind frame to take care of their physical health, such as staying hydrated. This lack of hydration results in dry stool, and the germs carried through poor cleanliness  cause stomach ache and digestive pain, all eventually leading to constipation.

Neglect of Lifestyle and Diet:

Meth consumers tend to ignore and neglect a healthy diet that their body is deprived of and substitute it with this threatening drug. This ignorance of diet and eating patterns results in constipation.

Signs of Constipation Resulting from Meth Use

It is highly crucial to identify the signs of constipation as a result of meth use in order to take all the preventive measures at the right time to minimize the constipation side effects of meth. Some of the common signs include:

• Reduced Bowel Movements
• Dry and hard-to-pass stool
• Straining during bowel movement 
• Abdominal pain or cramps 
• Bloating
• Disturbed Eating Pattern
• Anal Fissures
• Abdominal and stomach discomfort

Long-term Consequences of meth on the Digestive System

It has become evident that the consequences of meth consumption on an individual’s digestive system are not short term or temporary, they are, in fact, long term. Some of the consequences include:

1. Gastrointestinal Ulcer
2. Chronic Constipation 
3. Gastrointestinal Bleeding
4. Malnutrition 
5. Poor Oral hygiene 
6. Inflammation 
7. Damaged intestinal lining 
8. Poor immunity 
9. Stress and anxiety causing digestive issues.

Short-Term Impact of Methamphetamine on Gastrointestinal Functions

Some of the short term meth-induced digestive 

1. Poor/Reduced Appetite
2. Dehydration 
3. Vasoconstriction 
4. Abdominal Cramps
5. Nausea
6. Jaw Pain
7. Irritable Bowel Syndrome 
8. Constipation 
9. Disrupted Eating Pattern 
10. Stomach ache 

Preventing Constipation While Using Methamphetamine:

Some of the preventive measures that can be taken to avoid meth-induced digestive problems include:

1. Drinking Sufficient Water 
2. Healthy and Balanced diet 
3. Maintaining Oral Hygiene 
4. Contacting a healthcare specialist
5. Fiber Intake
6. Herbal Tea

Conclusion:

Therefore, it can be summarized that the use of methamphetamine can severely affect an individual’s digestive health with both long term as well as short term consequences such as abdominal pain, nausea, malnutrition, poor oral hygiene, dehydration and a lot more results that play a vital role in worsening mental, physical, emotional and digestive health. I hope this article answered your question, “Can meth cause constipation?”

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