Where to Go When You Can't ... Go

Constipation doesn’t usually come up in casual conversations or around the dinner table, but it is a topic that most people have to deal with at some point in their lives. The great thing about this article is that you can get the information you need in the privacy of your own computer.

What is constipation? Simply put it is when your body passes an infrequent amount of stool or you have a difficult time passing your stool. Everyone is different when it comes to the amount of bowel movements doctors would consider normal, but a good rule of thumb is three or more bowel movements a week will help to keep you from being constipated.

What causes constipation? When your body moves your stool too slowly through the digestive track, the stool becomes hard and dried out, which makes it more difficult to pass. Another cause of constipation is when the muscles in the large intestine are not contracting properly to move the stool for excretion. Even if the stool is soft, if the muscles are not contracting properly, it can make bowel movements very difficult or strenuous on the body.

There are several reasons why constipation happens, such as inactivity, lack of fiber-rich foods, dehydration, illness, pregnancy, intestinal obstruction, travel, certain medications and ignoring the urge to pass a stool.

It’s important to know what to do if you experience constipation. First, it’s always a good idea to consult your doctor before starting any treatment for constipation, especially if it’s the first time you are experiencing it. Through the gift of modern medicine, most people can treat their temporary constipation with some over-the-counter medication.

However, the best way to treat constipation is with diet and exercise. You should be selecting food high in fiber, drinking plenty of water and exercising. The combination of diet, water and exercise stimulates the digestive track to do its job naturally. If you have modified your diet and exercise and are still experiencing constipation, then it’s a good time to look at other alternatives such as laxatives, stool softeners and lubricants.

Children are also prone to constipation. They can be afraid to have a bowel movement on the toilet when they are getting potty trained or simply ignore the urgency to go because they want to keep playing. It’s important for children to have plenty of water and fresh fruits and vegetables. If your child does experience constipation, stay away from a lot of processed food and dairy products.

Once again, diet and exercise seem to be the body’s best medicine!