9 Rarely Recognized Causes of Constipation and Natural Prevention Tips

Kapanlagi.com - Constipation or difficulty in passing stool is closely related to the lack of consumption of fiber-rich foods. However, the causes of constipation are not only due to this factor, but there are various triggering factors that many people are not aware of. Some cases of constipation can occur due to certain medical conditions or even daily habits that have the potential to cause difficulty in passing stool.

Constipation is a common digestive problem with various symptoms. When experiencing constipation, the person will feel discomfort in the abdomen due to difficulty in passing stool. In addition, other symptoms that can be felt include irregular bowel movements, pain during bowel movements, bloating and discomfort, and decreased appetite.

Although the cause of constipation is often associated with a lack of consumption of fiber-rich foods, there are also other triggering factors that can potentially contribute. For example, certain medical conditions due to a history of illness or side effects of medications. Similarly, the causes of constipation can come from daily habits that are rarely realized, such as an unhealthy lifestyle and inadequate fluid intake.

You can find more information about the causes of constipation through the following review. The causes of constipation are summarized as follows according to kapanlagi.com from various sources.

1. Lack of Drinking Water

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The first cause of constipation can be experienced by anyone due to a lack of drinking water. As is known, drinking water has many benefits for the health of the body, including preventing difficulties in bowel movements. Because the consumption of water is one of the main sources of adequate fluid in the body that can support various organ functions.

In this case, a lack of drinking water can potentially cause constipation. Therefore, meeting fluid needs by consuming water every day can be done to prevent the risk of constipation. For adults, the approximate amount of fluid needed is around 8 glasses per day. In addition, sufficient fluid can also be obtained from consuming fruits and vegetables that contain a lot of water, vitamins, and nutrients.

2. Delaying Bowel Movements

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Unconsciously delaying bowel movements can contribute to constipation. Frequently postponing bowel movements can lead to a buildup of waste in the body, making it difficult to have a bowel movement. Several factors that commonly contribute to delaying bowel movements include being busy, avoiding using the toilet, or other reasons, which should be avoided.

Delaying bowel movements can trigger constipation with various symptoms. Consultation and examination should be considered if experiencing difficulty with bowel movements.

3. Changing Activities

Another cause of constipation can be triggered by changes in daily activities. According to medicalnewstoday.com, these activity changes usually occur when someone travels or alters other routines that affect the digestive system.

Citing the same source, an article from 2008 showed that 9 percent of people experience constipation when they visit another country. Additionally, other changed activities such as eating, sleeping, and having bowel movements can potentially cause constipation to occur.

4. Age Factor

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Age factor also has the potential to cause constipation that is often encountered. In this case, the occurrence of constipation tends to increase more. Although the exact reasons for the age factor's relationship to constipation are still unknown, there are several potential reasons. For example, as a person ages, they require more time to process food in the digestive tract due to decreased bodily functions. In addition, lack of physical activity can also trigger constipation. This includes low intake of food, drinking water, or certain medications.

5. Side Effects of Certain Medications

Constipation can also occur due to the side effects of certain medications. Because some drugs are known to cause constipation as a side effect that can be felt by the sufferer. In this case, certain types of medications such as antidepressants, diuretics, antipsychotics, or even medications used to treat digestive disorders can trigger constipation.

According to medicalnewstoday.com, a person who consumes certain types of medications in the long term has the possibility of increasing the dosage. As a result, this condition becomes dependent and at risk of causing various health effects such as constipation, dehydration, or even organ damage.

6. Intestinal Disease

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Certain diseases such as digestive disorders, namely Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Individuals with a history of this disease are known to have a higher risk of experiencing constipation. In addition, when experiencing intestinal disorders, some symptoms may appear such as abdominal pain, bloating, or changes in stool frequency. According to medicalnewstoday.com, when constipated, other digestive disorders may also occur, such as diarrhea.

7. Lack of Physical Activity

Another cause of constipation can also be triggered by a lack of physical activity. Several studies have revealed that individuals who frequently engage in physical activity are less likely to develop constipation. Meanwhile, a 2013 study stated that increasing physical activity can help alleviate constipation in adults or older individuals.

Therefore, balancing physical activity needs to be considered to prevent constipation problems. In addition, exercise or physical activity also has many benefits for health, such as increasing energy, reducing the risk of chronic diseases, and maintaining bone and muscle health.

8. Certain Medical Conditions

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Certain medical conditions such as experiencing certain medical conditions. For example, having a history of diabetes, excess calcium, thyroid gland disorders, colitis, or stroke is known to potentially make a person more susceptible to constipation. However, further examination is needed to understand the exact cause of the constipation experienced.

9. Insufficient Fiber Intake

As discussed earlier, insufficient fiber intake can potentially increase the risk of constipation. This is because fiber-rich foods play a crucial role in regulating regular bowel movements. On the other hand, if a person consumes insufficient fiber, it is highly likely that they will experience difficulty in passing stool. Some types of foods such as fruits, legumes, grains, beans, and vegetables that are high in fiber can be an easy choice to prevent constipation.

10. Tips to Prevent Constipation

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As for tips to prevent constipation, you can read through the following review. For a more complete guide, here are tips to prevent constipation problems as reported by mayoclinic.org.

- Consume high-fiber foods.

- Limit consumption of low-fiber and processed foods.

- Meet the body's fluid needs.

- Manage stress well to prevent constipation.

- Do not delay bowel movements.

- Have regular bowel movements.

Those are the causes of constipation, which are rarely realized, and natural tips to prevent it. Consultation and examination with a doctor can be considered to prevent constipation problems.

(kpl/nlw)