Rhett Syndrome and Constipation – Physical Therapy Treatment

 

If you know someone who is suffering with Rhett Syndrome and constipation you may think it's quite unfair that this is the number one side effect of this ailment, especially since many of the other traits of the ailment make it worse.

There are a couple of reasons it is believed that Rhett Syndrome has a link to constipation.

Mobility Issues

The first problem when it comes to Rhett Syndrome and constipation is that the person suffering with Rhett Syndrome is also suffering from mobility issues. You see, the less physically active someone is able to be, the more likely they are to get constipation. The reason for this is because when you can't work larger muscles in your body, the rest of your body gets lazy as well. This includes all the muscles inside your body including those in the digestive tract. As those muscles get lazy, they don't move waste through the system, leading to constipation.

Nerve Issues

Another reason that Rhett Syndrome and constipation may be related has to do with the nervous system. There are a lot of neurological deficiencies that can come with Rhett Syndrome. These same neurological deficiencies can lead to constipation. If the body is having a tough time sending appropriate signals to the various organs, including those in the digestive tract, the system may not know that it needs to process waste and move it out of the body. The more of a lapse there is between these neurological signals, the more likely the person is to develop constipation.

Are there solutions? While there is no cure, there are some things you may be able to do to help alleviate some of the Rhett Syndrome and constipation connection.

Exercise And Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is usually a typical state of life for those who are suffering from Rhett Syndrome. However, what you may not realize is that physical therapy can also aid in the reduction of the Rhett Syndrome and constipation connection.

Using physical therapy to make the body more mobile can remind the muscles that they need to be working regularly. This not only stimulates the larger muscles like the arms and legs, but the motion of those muscles can stimulate the muscles you may not think about. This includes all of those internal muscles that control things such as digestion. The more active the outer muscles are, the more active the inner muscles become. This may be able to help the body move waste through more effectively.