Causes of Constipation - Discover the Different Causes and How to Treat It
What causes constipation? The causes of constipation are numerous. However, in terms of the way the body functions, the following causes of constipation come to mind;
Slow Transit: There is a condition called slow transit. This is when stool does not pass through your colon very quickly. In a typical bowel movement, stool passes through the colon at a rate of approximately 1 liter (eight cups) per minute. With slow transit, the stool does not pass through the colon at that speed. It takes up to two hours to pass a stool after constipation has occurred. This is why it can take up to two days for stool to pass out of the anus, and why a person feels uncomfortable, depressed, or sick.
Fecal Matter Retention: Fecal matter is usually expelled from the body very rapidly. However, if the body does not expel the stool as fast as it should, fecal matter is retained in the colon. The fecal matter remains there as long as fecal matter is present in the colon. It can be very difficult to expel the fecal matter from the colon.
Absorption Limitation: When the stool is swallowed by the body, too little stomach acid and other digestive juices are produced to aid the process. When this occurs, the food content of the stool can't reach its destination in the intestines. As a result, the stool will stay in the colon rather than being expelled from the body.
Food Content Ingestion: It is common to swallow food while eating. However, if food particles remain in your mouth for too long, they get lodged in the back of the throat, or on the esophagus. When this happens, the stomach acids cannot break down the food properly and the food stays in the stomach rather than being eliminated from the body.
Fatty Foods: Eating food that contains lots of fat can make constipation worse. Foods that are rich in fat, especially animal fat, tend to slow down the passage of stool. Therefore, they block the passage of water and make it more difficult for stool to pass through the colon.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a condition in which a person experiences repeated episodes of abdominal pain. Because it is often difficult for a person to produce stool and because abdominal discomfort can occur during bowel movements, the sufferer may suffer from IBS symptoms such as bloating, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and nausea.
It is important to understand the different constipation medicine in order to know what steps to take in order to improve your condition. In addition to the above-mentioned causes, it is also important to talk with your doctor if you suffer from any chronic medical condition such as heart disease, diabetes, or cancer.
If you experience constipation for several years and if your diet is still unbalanced, then you may be suffering from a serious disorder such as Crohn's Disease. Once your doctor diagnoses that you have Crohn's, your doctor will likely recommend that you follow a special diet regimen to treat the disorder.
There are also many foods that cause constipation. Some people may not even realize that some foods can make constipation worse. But if you notice that your diet includes high amounts of foods that cause diarrhea, you should eliminate them from your diet or add a fiber supplement to make your stools softer.
Fiber Supplements: Fiber supplements have been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of constipation. They can help you create a more regular bowel movement and increase the amount of stool that passes through your body. Studies have shown that a diet high in fruits and vegetables and nuts with fiber can greatly reduce the amount of constipation and improve the health of the colon and gastrointestinal tract.
Avoiding these foods may not seem like the best solution, but in most cases, it will be a better alternative than trying to avoid these foods on your own. By carefully choosing what you eat and how much fiber you take in, you can treat your constipation and the other causes of constipation.