What Constipation Is
If you are not having a bowel movement as often as you usually do, or having a tough time going because the stool (poop) is hard and dry it is called "Constipation". This case is a very common problem, and usually happens because a person's diet doesn't include enough fluids and fiber.
Constipation usually isn't a cause for concern — it's preventable and most cases can be resolved with healthy eating and exercise habits.
After you chew and swallow food, it heads to your stomach. From there, it's on to the small intestine, then the large intestine (or bowels), and finally out of the body through the rectum and anus.
As food moves through your digestive system, your body soaks up water and nutrients it needs from the food. What's left over comes out as stool (poop). Normal stool is usually soft and easy to pass, and it generally shouldn't be too difficult to have a bowel movement. But sometimes the bowels just don't move like they should.
A person is considered constipated when he or she has had fewer than three bowel movements in a week; when the stools are hard, dry, and unusually large; or when it's hard for the person to have a bowel movement.
These are the Symptoms of Constipation
You may have:
• Few bowel movements
• Trouble having a bowel movement (straining)
• Hard or small stools
• A sense that everything didn’t come out
• Swollen abdomen or abdominal pain
• Vomiting
The Causes Are
Constipation is most often caused by:
• Low-fiber diet
• Lack of physical activity
• Not drinking enough water
• Delay in going to the bathroom when you have the urge to move your bowels
Other causes of constipation may include:
• Colon cancer
• Diseases of the bowel, such as irritable bowel syndrome
• Mental health disorders
• Nervous system disorders
• Pregnancy
• Underactive thyroid
• Use of certain medications
Constipation in children often occurs if they hold their bowel movements. This may happen when the child is not ready for toilet training or is afraid of it.
We Can Prevent Constipated by:
• Eat a well-balanced diet with plenty of fiber. Good sources of fiber are fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole-grain bread and cereal (especially bran).
• Drink 1 1/2 to 2 quarts of water and other fluids a day (unless your doctor has you on a fluid- restricted diet). Fiber and water work together to keep you regular.
• Avoid caffeine. It can be dehydrating.
• Check on milk. Some people may need to avoid it because dairy products may be constipating for them.
• Exercise regularly.
• Go to the bathroom when you feel the urge.
To Overcome Constipated We Can Try These step
• Drink two to four extra glasses of water a day (unless your doctor told you to limit fluids for another health reason).
• Try warm liquids, especially in the morning.
• Add fruits and vegetables to your diet.Eat prunes and bran cereal.
• If needed, use a very mild over-the-counter stool softener like docusate (Peri-Colace) or a laxative like magnesium hydroxide (Milk of Magnesia). Do not use laxatives for more than two weeks without calling your doctor. Laxative overuse can worsen your symptoms.
