Understanding What Causes Constipation and Remedies

Constipation, which is difficulty with bowel movements caused by very hard stools, happens to everyone at some point in life. Sometimes, changing your diet or taking laxatives can help and sometimes it will go away on its own. Most people have two or three bowel movements a day but this goes down as we get older. Constipation that does not go away or is very severe can indicate a serious health problem. If your body cannot get rid of the waste from digestion, you can have a variety of health problems. Less than one bowel movement per week is not a symptom you should ignore.

Constipation can be caused by many different things including not drinking enough fluids, having salt levels out of balance, and diverticulitis (inflammation in the colon that causes pouches to develop). Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is also a potential cause of constipation. Other causes can include colon cancers, medication or supplements you are taking, or tumors in the colon.

There are a lot of treatment options for constipation. Often, over time your body will fix itself and your fluids and salt will get back in balance on its own. You can also make changes to your diet. You can eat more fiber and avoid carbonated beverages if you want to get rid of your constipation. You can easily add fiber to your diet if you eat more fresh produce or more oat bran. Fiber helps you avoid constipation by adding bulk to your stools, making them soft by absorbing water. Adding fiber to your diet can cause you to have abdominal gas because of the way bacteria in your colon digest fiber.

Laxatives, when used in moderation, can be effective as a constipation treatment. There are several types including saline laxatives like Milk of Magnesia and stimulant laxatives like Ex-Lax (which stimulate the muscles that cause bowel movements). Using laxatives in excess can cause diarrhea, as well as irregularity, and even dependence on the medications. It is best for your bowel movements to happen naturally so these treatments should only be used for a short time. Prescription laxatives like sorbitol and polyethylene glycol can be used for a longer period but they are meant to treat specific medical problems.

Just like any health condition, you should talk to your doctor about your treatment options if you suffer from constipation. You can treat yourself if it is just a temporary condition but if it continues, you may need to make sure that there are no underlying health conditions.