Constipation ABC: Causes and Cures

Updated on March 25, 2022

If you have fewer than three bowel movements a week – chances are you are constipated. While you can feel pretty fine, the bloated and blocked feeling is just a red flag. The next thing you know, severe abdominal pain and the inability to go to the restroom become your daily companions.

It seems we have a situation.

For emotional support, know that constipation is so common that some people think it’s a normal state of being. But it’s not.

To put it more on a medical pedestal, constipation is a condition of the digestive system where an individual has hard feces that are difficult to pass. Why does it happen, is it dangerous, and are there any quick and easy remedies for it? We will cover these right here in a second.

Symptoms

The symptoms may vary due to personal features, but one is inevitably interconnected, no matter your age, size, food preferences, or astronomical sign. You can’t poop.

And by not being able to poop, symptoms such as fatigue, sluggishness, cramping, straining, bloating, inflammation, or stomach pain occur. Just always feeling full and not being able to empty yourself out. And if you miraculously do, the stool comes out in hard lumps, small pellets, or little rocks (we can go on and on with rich synonyms, but let’s not get distracted).

Causes

Constipation means that there is a traffic jam in your gut and digestive system. Usually, it results from not getting enough exercise, not drinking enough water, or from a poor diet that does not include an adequate amount of fiber-rich foods like beans, bran cereals, fruits, raw vegetables, rice, and whole-grain bread.

Other causes of constipation include anal fissure (or a tear/crack in the lining of the anus), kidney failure, colon or rectal cancer, depression, hypercalcemia, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or stress.

Complications and Health Risks

A small case of constipation can turn into a real problem, and if you do not tackle the root of the issue from the beginning, well… you are in for a not pleasant treat.

The vicious circle goes like this: you get constipated because of stress, anxiety, depression, lack of exercise. And when you are constipated, it can evolve into more stress, more anxiety, more depression, and not wanting (or not being able, that’s worse!) to work out.

Once you are clogged, the gut signals to the brain that something is definitely not right. Gladly, there are tons of ways that will help you prevent or seize the problem at the perfect timing.

Remedies

TTreatment with chronic constipation (or any other kind) usually begins with dietary and lifestyle changes meant to increase the speed of stool moving through your intestine.

To relieve constipation, increase your fiber intake. Adding fiber puts weight on your stool and speeds its passage. Begin to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables; to be honest, there are dozens of fiber types you can choose from, including fiber supplements. It’s a trendy and easy way to prevent constipation and reduce bloating.

Also, if you feel uncomfortable changing your diet right away or do not want to eliminate your favorite meals, fiber supps are your go-to ticket. For starters, you can try ColonBroom – it’s one of the most delicious (strawberry-flavored) dietary fiber boosters that doesn’t require time or nerve to spare.

One scoop a day melts those toxins away!

Another way to work on the “going number two” issue is to exercise more. For some, it might not sound so appealing, but the truth is, our bowels need some moving. A light stretch or a 20- minute walk will do just fine.

After that, it will become easier and easier to implement healthy, regular pooping habits. You go, you sit, you wipe, that’s it (don’t forget to flush and wash your hands).

Bottom Line

Constipation crisis is a thing, but you shouldn’t feel blocked, stomach-full, or ashamed to talk about it. Let’s be bowel-conscious and treat our gut the right way!

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The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.