Constipation Causes

Constipation is a common symptom, but the many causes are almost as varied as the people who suffer the complaint. Here is an overview of a number of causes that you can control, and a few that you can't.

In the overwhelming majority of people who have this condition, causes are primarily lack of fiber and lack of fluid in the diet. If you eat no fruit or vegetables at all, adding even a tiny amount of plant foods to your daily diet can bring quick relief.

Fiber is found in fruit and vegetables.

Fruit and vegetables are always superior to fiber supplements, because they provide fiber in doses your digestive tract can process. Whether you decide to eat more greens and fruit, or you decide to take a fiber supplement, start gradually. Allow 2 to 3 days to build up your fiber levels so you can avoid bloating and gas.

Water is an excellent and cost-free remedy.

Dehydration is another of the most significant causes. You can tell you are dehydrated by the color of your urine.

Unless you are taking a medication (such as L-dopa or carbidopa, for example) that darkens the urine, dark urine is a sign you aren't drinking enough water. Drinking the often-recommended 8 glasses of water every day helps stools stay moist, soft, and easy to pass.

If you work or work out in hot or dry conditions, taking a water break instead of a coffee break can be very helpful for regularity.

In some people who suffer this condition, the problem is obstruction. Chronic or repeated pelvic injury (for example, from pregnancies) or the development of anatomic abnormalities (for example, rectal prolapse, and rectocele, that is, weakness in the posterior vaginal wall allowing the rectum to prolapse into the vagina upon straining), may lead to functional outlet obstruction.

When the problem is outlet obstruction, more fiber, is not helpful. Outlet obstruction is a medical condition you should not attempt to treat on your own.

In other people who suffer symptoms, the culprit is diet sodas. Many scientists believe that excitotoxins, chemicals in the same class as aspartame (Nutrasweet) and MSG, gradually dull the nerves lining the colon so they do not make the bowels move.

If you're a heavy drinker of diet colas, you can sometimes get relief this relatively unappreciated of causes if you abstain from diet soda for just one day.

Large amounts of coffee, tea, and alcohol also act as diuretics that deplete fluid in the colon-abstaining from caffeinated beverages and alcohol can counteract one of the most common causes.

In persons over 65, constipation causes are typically a combination of decreased muscle tone, difficulties eating fiber foods, not getting enough fluid, and medication. Painkillers, narcotics, diuretics, and medications for progressive neuromuscular conditions are common constipation causes in the elderly.

Certain other conditions are also constipation causes. Diabetes can result in nerve damage anywhere in the body, including the nerves lining the colon. Spinal injury, of course, can also interfere with the function of nerves serving the lower digestive tract.

Sexual abuse is not uncommonly linked with peri-anal tension interfering with bowel movement, and, of course, hernia and tumors can be constipation causes.

Generally speaking, if you have a specific medical condition that causes constipation, you should treat constipation only in the context of treating its causes. If your constipation is related to diet, however, simple additions of fiber-rich foods and non-dehydrated fluids are your best course of treatment.

Also read our article about Constipation and the Gallbladder