The Little-Known Facts About Constipation

Information may not be reliable

Many people underestimate the risks connected to it and only seek medical help when it gets really severe. However, it is much simpler to solve the problem by reevaluating your lifestyle choices and not letting it develop and ruin your quality of life.

The more informed you are, the more help you can provide for yourself. These facts about constipation are not discussed as much as others. However, they can give you a better understanding of the disease and ways to cope with it.

1. The frequency of defecation is individual

Yes, there are certain medical guidelines for the norm, but the range is wide. It depends on multiple factors including health issues, age, diet, and many others. More important is the quality of defecation, the feeling of relief, and absence of any unpleasant bowel movements.

2. Not all fiber helps

Probably the first advice you will read about your constipation will be “eat fiber”. But not all fiber actually helps. There are two types of fiber, soluble and insoluble. The soluble fiber (fruits, veggies, bran) help you digest food better, reduces cholesterol, but has little effect on your constipation. Insoluble fiber (cereal, whole grains) is the one that helps you defecate.

3. Exercise and schedule

People, who are physically active, rarely suffer from constipation. Even long walks improve your peristalsis. The schedule is also important. The best time to defecate is in the morning because the stomach is maximally active. A regular schedule of your meals trains your intestine to work regularly as well.

4. Stress can be a reason

Our intestine is very sensitive to negative emotions and depression. These problems affect it in different ways, concerning not only constipation but also various digestive dysfunctions. Reevaluating your lifestyle and appointing for therapy if necessary can help you solve the problem.

5. Enemas and laxatives can worsen the situation

These methods, meant to relieve your situation, can actually worsen it in the long-term perspective. The main task of treatment is to make your bowel work. If practiced often, these procedures can ruin the proper function of your bowels.

6. Constipation can be a symptom of severe diseases

Here is a list of them:

• Hemorrhoids and anal fissures – pain makes the patient hold the defecation.

• IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) – when a patient has constipation and diarrhea in turn.

• Bowel inflammation.

• GI diseases.

• Intestine cancer – a tumor doesn’t let your feces come out. There can be also be bleeding from anus.

• Neurological disorders

If nothing helps you relieve your constipation, it would be a good idea to go through a full body diagnostics and find out the true cause of the problem.