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Check nowConstipation occurs when a disruption in our digestive system slows down the passage of food. It is not always clear how often we should be emptying our bowels but at least once a day would seem to be a good estimate. In this page, our digestive expert discusses the different types of constipation that can occur, and when you should see your doctor.
Constipation is the term used when we do not move our bowels frequently enough. However, what we don’t really know is how often is ‘enough’.
Doctors would generally say that moving your bowels 3 times a week is sufficient and anything less would suggest that you are constipated, especially if your stools are hard and difficult to pass, or if going to the toilet causes you pain.
Naturopaths and herbalists, however, take the view that we need to open our bowels at least once a day – if not twice. They believe that good regular bowel habits will help one avoid many ailments in the digestive system, and other health conditions.
Certain people are naturally (genetically) more prone to constipation than others. Although the problem can affect both men and women, women are unfortunately 2 or 3 times more likely to suffer from constipation.
Pregnancy does not help – it has been estimated that up to 40% of pregnant women are constipated. In addition, people who are under stress are more likely to suffer from the condition. Also, as one gets older, constipation becomes more frequently encountered.
Constipation is more frequently seen in developed countries and this has been attributed to higher stress levels and a diet of refined foods. What is clear is that diet is a major factor leading to constipation.
Symptoms of constipation can come on suddenly and in these circumstances, is often related to a change in external factors such as diet, routine, stress or the menstrual cycle. In most, constipation resolves within a few days, with the adoption of a few lifestyle or dietary changes. However, some may feel the need for a constipation remedy to help things along.
If you experience sudden, unexplained constipation accompanied by tummy pain, blood or mucus in stools, seek advice from your doctor.
This gradually creeps up on you over months or years. Again, diet and lifestyle factors are usually responsible and bowels become increasingly ‘slow’.
You may not feel the urge to pass faeces and may find yourself going to the toilet only once or perhaps twice a week. Although many in this situation feel that this frequency is ‘normal’, chronic constipation can lead to a number of other health issues or complications (see below).
Hence, it is recommended that if your constipation persists for longer than one week, you should seek to do something about it.
Constipation occurs because the large bowel becomes inefficient at moving faeces along the last part of your digestive tract. This causes more water to be absorbed by the body, resulting in hard, small stools which become in turn, more difficult to pass.
A variety of factors can cause constipation, as follows. Also, pay close attention as if you can identify the likely causes, these often hold the key in terms of the best approaches for managing your symptoms:
Over the short term, constipation does not generally lead to complications. However, if one is prone to the condition or if it is long-standing, several problems can develop:
Although not every healthcare professional might agree, it is also thought that prolonged constipation can lead to a variety of other health conditions and digestive disorders, ranging from a general feeling of feeling bloated (with wind) to the Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
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