Defining Constipation and Finding Relief
Constipation — it may not be something we like talking about or something to be brought up in polite company, but many people throughout the world experience constipation’s symptoms. These can be hints of underlying conditions or just a sign that you need to change your diet. It may even be a once-off experience. Whether it’s chronic or a once-and-done occurrence for you, it’s worth knowing what constipation is and what causes it. Only then can you find the relief you’re searching for.
What is Constipation?
Constipation can be lightly defined as difficulty passing a bowel movement and can manifest in a few different forms. It can be tough bowel movements, meaning hard, small, or dry stools that make it difficult to go to the bathroom. There can also be a problem with frequency, often considered fewer than three times a week, though this is an imperfect number. The correct number of bowel movements a week varies from person to person, and the average person can go anywhere from three times a day to three times a week. While frequency can vary, it’s important to know that one can lead to the other. Hard, dry, or small stools can lead to less frequent bowel movements, while less frequent bowel movements can cause stools to become hard.
Of course, constipation isn’t just a matter of not needing to use the bathroom, and with the variance in common bowel movement frequency, it can be difficult to identify if you’re constipated. The general symptoms of constipation are:
- Fewer than three bowel movements in a week
- Hard or small stools
- Bloating or stomach pain
- Straining to pass stools
- Stools that are difficult or painful to pass
- Feeling like you haven’t emptied your bowels, even after a bowel movement
- Experiencing rectal blockage
An episode of constipation may be uncomfortable, but it’s possible for constipation to become chronic. Now, chronic constipation doesn’t mean that you don’t have a bowel movement for weeks at a time. Instead, it’s when the symptoms of constipation, the infrequent or painful movements for example, go on for at least three months, sometimes even longer. Whether your constipation is chronic or not, it can still get in the way of your life enough to be a concern.
What Causes It?
Like many things with our health, there are a number of factors that can make constipation more likely. For example, certain demographics are more prone to constipation — like women (especially during or just after a pregnancy) and older adults. With how common it can be though, it’s clear that anyone can become constipated. Stress can also cause constipation when it’s common enough. Beyond demographics and certain life changes, there are two main causes of constipation: medications and diet.
First, let’s look at the medications. Antidepressants and narcotic or opioids are two of the prominent types of medications that can cause constipation. Others — like iron supplements, some antiacids, and some drugs that treat heart disease — can also play a part. Another big cause of constipation is dietary. Not getting enough fiber in your diet is a big factor that can lead to constipation. Hydration can also be important to healthy bowel movements, with dehydration making stools more difficult to move. Additionally, some foods like dairy and fried foods can cause or make constipation worse.
More concerning, however, is the potential medical conditions that include constipation as a symptom. These diseases can include:
- Chrohn’s Disease
- Colon Cancer
- Diabetes
- Diverticulitis
- Hyperthyroidism
- Irritable bowel syndrome
If you have chronic constipation, as well as other symptoms that grow concerning, you should visit your doctor to see if perhaps your constipation is caused by an underlying condition.
How Can You Find Relief?
If you’re experiencing constipation, don’t fret. There are ways you can relieve yourself of the stress and discomfort. First and foremost, it’s important that you talk to your doctor, especially if you may be taking medications that could be influencing or even causing the constipation. If it turns out that the medication is causing the infrequent bowel movements, you may be able to work with your doctor to find alternative medications. Otherwise, they may instruct you to take an over-the-counter laxative. We do suggest talking to a health care professional before trying laxatives just to be safe. If over-the-counter options aren’t working, your doctor may be able to prescribe you stronger medications or even surgery for the most severe cases.
In the long term, you can lower your chances of constipation or combat chronic constipation by making healthier dietary choices. Making sure you’re getting enough fiber and water in your diet can be really helpful, since those are two of the most common causes. Coffee has also been linked to laxative effects, should you need them. Additionally, there’s evidence that regular exercise can help combat constipation. Foods rich in probiotics and other foods that help with digestive and gut health may even alleviate some of the discomfort with constipation.
● ● ●
Ultimately, finding relief from constipation is about taking care of yourself and your digestive health and working with your doctor to determine any possible causes. And, while it may be uncomfortable to talk about any bowel movement issues you may be having, it can also be the first step to treating them. This is especially true with your doctor, who should treat any health concerns you have with the dignity and respect you deserve. Luckily, with the help of your doctor, whether your constipation is dietary or medical, you should be able to find that relief you’re looking for.
Featured Blogs
- Learning to Ski
- The Stories Behind Classic Christmas Carols
- 4 More Tips to Make Christmas Tree Hunt Less Stressful
- Why Do We Celebrate That? Other Festive Holidays
- A Senior Guide to Boston
- A Senior Guide to Edinburgh
- How Does Medicare Cover Osteoporosis?
- What are Ulcers?
- Medicare's Coverage of Parkinson's Disease
- What is a Cognitive Screening?
- Spooky Spots for Halloween 2023
- 4 Ways to Keep Trick-or-Treating Safe
- 10 Classic Horror Books for Halloween
- Here's What Medicare Costs in 2024
- 10 Safety Rules for Seniors Who Enjoy Hunting
- Medicareful Living is Changing Its Name — Here's Why
- CMS Releases 2024 Medicare Advantage and Part D Costs
- Can You Keep Your Medicare Plan Each Year?
- A Senior Guide to Lucerne
- Is Expensive Cookware Worth It?
- The Drug Prices Medicare Can Directly Negotiate
- Does Medicare Ever Cover Cosmetic Surgery?
- A Senior Guide to Barcelona
- How Does COBRA Work with Medicare?
- Different Ways Medicare Can Cover Drug Costs
- Medicareful Living is Changing Its Name — Here's Why
- CMS Releases 2024 Medicare Advantage and Part D Costs
- Can You Keep Your Medicare Plan Each Year?
- Medicareful Travel: Senior Trip to Lucerne
- Is Expensive Cookware Worth It?
- The Drug Prices Medicare Can Directly Negotiate
- Does Medicare Ever Cover Cosmetic Surgery?
- Medicareful Travel: Senior Trip to Barcelona
- How Does COBRA Work with Medicare?
- Different Ways Medicare Can Cover Drug Costs
- All About Enrolling in Social Security
- Medicareful Travel: Senior Trip to the Madrid
- Does Medicare Cover Open-Heart Surgery?
- Exercise Tips for Summer
- Medicareful Travel: Senior Trip to Lisbon
- Hosting a Safe Summer Barbecue
- Senior Summer Barbecue Tips
- Does Medicare Cover Biopsies?
- 5 Foods to Avoid if You Have High Blood Pressure
- Medicareful Travel: Senior Trip to the Finger Lakes
- Does Medicare Cover Endoscopies?
- Ways Seniors Can Recover from a Workout
- Is Chocolate Healthy for You?
- Understanding Adult ADHD
- How Does Medicare Cover Hypertension?
- The Symptoms and Treatment of Parkinson's Disease
- How to Determine What Temperature to Use When Cooking
- Eating Healthy on a Budget
- Keeping Fit on Vacation
- Is Your Tonsillectomy Covered by Medicare?
- Tips for the Perfect Hard-Boiled Eggs
- Kitchen First Aid Tips
- What Does FDA-Approved Mean?
- Medicareful Travel: Senior Guide to New York City
- How to Caramelize Onions
- Why Do We Celebrate That? April Fools’ Day
- Medicare and Powers of Attorney
- The Essential Role of Eggs in Cooking
- What are Different Types of Complementary
and Alternative Medicine? - Tips for Remembering to Take Your Medicine
- What is Medicare Part E?
- Building Your Basic At-Home Senior Gym
- How to Make Stovetop Popcorn
- Medicareful Travel: Senior Trip to New Orleans
- How to Navigate & Read Academic Articles
- Phytonutrients: What Plant Color Says About Nutrition
- How to Prevent or Reduce Inflammation
- Osteoporosis: Risk Factors, Signs, and Treatment
- How to Make Homemade Pretzels
- Researching Your Ancestry and Family Tree
- How Medicare and Social Security Work Together
- What is Nordic Walking?
- Food Questions You've Been Embarrassed to Ask
- How Medicare Changed for 2023 and Beyond
- Tips for Using a Microwave
- How to Clean Your Ears Safely
- Skiing as a Healthy Hobby for Seniors
- 3 More Great Places to Celebrate New Year's Eve
- Why Do We Celebrate That? More New Year's Eve Traditions
- Panettone, the Italian Christmas Dessert
- A Simple Homemade Gingerbread Recipe
- How to Make Christmas Decorating Jollier
- The Science of Winter Weight Gain
- Seasonal Picks: 3 Foods You Should Try This Winter
- 5 Tips to Make Getting Your Christmas Tree Stress-Free
- Show-Stopping Potato Side Dishes for Thanksgiving
- Dishes to Impress Your Friends: Boeuf Bourguignon
- Holiday Travel Tips to Reduce Stress
- Does Medicare Cover Pain Management?
- Is Hunting a Healthy Senior Hobby?
- Ways You Can Get More Politically Involved
- What are Medicare's Lifetime Reserve Days?
- Spooky Spots for Seniors Halloween 2022
- How to Make Soul Cakes for Halloween
- Jack O' Lantern Carving Tips for Halloween
- Easy Ways to Peel a Potato
- 2023 Social Security COLA Largest in Decades
- Exercise Tips for Autumn
- How to Make Candy Apples at Home
- Why are Medicare Insurance Sales Calls Recorded?
- Here's What Medicare Costs in 2023
- CMS Updates Medicare Enrollment Rules for 2023
- Medicareful Travel: Senior Trip to London
- Does Medicare Cover Insomnia Treatment?
- Healthy and Easy Homemade Dog Treats
- The FDA Finalizes Ruling to Increase Access to Hearing Aids
- What the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 Means for Medicare
- Tips to Make Flying and Airports Less Stressful
- CMS Projects Lower 2023 Part D Average Costs
- The 15 Golden Rules of Airplane Etiquette
- How Often Should You Shower?
- What are Medicare Pilot Programs?
- How to Care for Your Cast Iron Cookware
- Confronting a Loved One About Hurtful Behavior
- What Does Creditable Coverage Mean for Medicare?