Constipation is a digestive ailment that is incredibly common regardless of someone’s age. Constipation is a health complication where a person struggles to have regular bowel movements that do not cause discomfort or distress. Constipation is generally characterized by the inability to pass stool in a comfortable manner and rarely throughout a week period. It is an ailment that many of us will struggle with at least once, if not more times, throughout our lives. So, if constipation does occur, how does one manage the symptoms and aim to solve the issue?
What Are Some Common Causes and Indicators of Constipation?
The amount of bowel movements each person will experience will vary from person to person. Typically, people pass stool from three times a day to three times a week. Knowing how your body usually passes stool is crucial to indicating when something might be off. Constipation tends to mean that the stool is struggling to pass through the large intestine, meaning your body has an abundant amount of time to absorb water from the stool and rendering it harder to pass.
Here are some reasons why someone might be having trouble passing stool:
- A sedentary lifestyle - Regular exercise helps to keep the systems in our bodies moving along at a more efficient pace. When we choose to forego physical activity, our bodies will suffer from it.
- An insufficient amount of fluids - Water helps to keep your digestive system up and running. When you do not consume a sufficient amount of fluids, your body will hold onto whatever it has and create issues such as constipation or even bloating.
- An absence of fiber in their diet - Fiber is an essential part to a diet for any person who is looking to support their digestive tract. Fiber helps to bulk up stool — making it easier to pass.
Certain medications, weak pelvic floor muscles, medical conditions such as pregnancy, or blockages in the digestive tract are also reasons that someone might be experiencing constipation.
Having pain when passing stool, struggling to pass more than small amounts of stool, hard stool, and feeling unsuccessful when passing stool are all indicators you might be experiencing constipation. If these symptoms prolong, it is important to visit your physician so that they can help you find the root cause or potential blockage.
Use These Tools to Manage Constipation and Its Added Complications
Constipation could be a side effect of an unhealthy gut. When our gut becomes overrun with harmful bacteria, our digestive system and even our mental health will start to feel its negative effects. It’s crucial to incorporate probiotic-rich foods into your diet and a supplement for bloating that contains probiotics to help the beneficial bacteria flourish and to keep the harmful bacteria out. By doing so, the probiotic will help to start managing the issues that are contributing to constipation. Our probiotic called Probiotic Renu is an awesome option to consider when it comes to maintaining one’s gut health.
Meal tracking can be another great way to get to the root cause of constipation and thus stop it in its tracks. By meal tracking, you will be able to get a better understanding of the types of foods that might be causing you to experience constipation. Processed foods or foods your body might be intolerant to can heavily contribute to constipation and other digestive ailments. Be sure to take note of the meals you are eating and the way your body reacts to them.
Herbal teas are another great resource for combating constipation. Many herbal teas have laxative properties that help to push the digestive process along and can push out any backed up stool from your system. Senna is one of the most common ingredients in teas that are known to have a laxative effect. Senna contains glycosides that help to stimulate the movement of your digestive tract. Herbal teas can be a useful tool to keep in your pantry when your digestive tract might feel a bit sluggish.
As mentioned above, drinking water, exercising, and prioritizing a high fiber diet are all essential aspects to eliminating constipation, but are there other ways to avoid constipation in the future?
How To Take Care Of Your Digestive Health to Avoid Constipation in the Future
Consistency and maintenance are key when it comes to taking care of your health. Sticking to healthy habits can be so challenging, but the consistency is what is going to allow you to truly reap the benefits.
Sometimes, a stressful environment or a stressful mindset can cause you to become constipated. Our bodies must feel comfortable enough to produce bowel movements; otherwise, it will be in a state of fright and hold back. If you are someone who struggles to use the restroom in public, constipation might be something you will come across during travel. Make sure to find the ways to make any environment you are in more inviting. The smell, light, and surrounding people might make an impact on said environment.
Adopting a well-balanced diet that prioritizes veggies and fruits is an essential part to avoiding constipation. When you are adding variety into your meals, your gut microbiome will flourish and in turn your digestive system will thrive. We also recommend practicing mindful eating. When someone forgets to eat a meal and tries to jam pack three meals into, they are more likely to experience constipation, bloating, and a general feeling of being unwell. Instead, consider eating smaller meals more frequently throughout the day to continuously give your body fuel without too much at once.
All in all, avoiding constipation forever might be impossible, but these are just some of the ways to keep it at bay. There are going to be times when constipation occurs even when you feel like you are doing everything right. Try not to panic and allow your body the chance to let you know how it's feeling. The key to digestive success is relaxation, healthy habits, and daily rituals.