![]() ![]() "You will also need to make it a point to get more fiber through your diet." "Increase your water intake to 64 ounces a day at the very minimum, barring any health conditions that would prevent you from drinking that much, of course," says Dr. Kalakota recommends starting your search for relief there. What's the easiest way to get constipation relief?īecause constipation is frequently caused by your diet or water intake, Dr. Underlying health conditions – while rare, constipation can sometimes be a sign of severe diverticulosis, colon stricture or colon cancer.Idiopathic constipation – a diagnosis in which the underlying cause is unknown.Drug-induced constipation – a number of medications can cause constipation.Slow-transit constipation – occurs when the bowels don't move fast enough.Less common reasons for constipation include: "If you notice that your poop is like tiny, hard pellets, but you didn't drink any water all day at work, that explains it." "This is by far the most common scenario for the occasional bout of constipation," says Dr. Lacking one or the other can result in stool that's hard or doesn't move easily, leading to constipation. "Fiber and water work together to promote proper form and consistency of your stool, helping it pass through the bowels without issue." "Whether or not your bowel movements are regular is very dependent on your fiber and water intake," Dr. The most common reason for constipation also happens to have the simplest explanation. In rare cases, constipation can even be a sign of a serious health condition. Taking action when you notice these symptoms is important since chronic constipation can lead to painful issues like hemorrhoids. "So, if you're going every day, but you're having extremely hard stools, that's still considered constipation." "The important thing to remember here is that constipation isn't just defined as having too few bowel movements, it concerns the consistency of your stool as well," adds Dr. Feeling unable to fully empty your bowels.Having fewer than three bowel movements per week.This means that if you feel fine between trips to the bathroom and your stool has a normal consistency, having bowel movements every other day isn't a reason to panic. "Having anywhere between three bowel movements a day to three bowel movements a week is within the realm of normal," explains Dr. What does constipation feel like?įor starters, it helps to know what constipation isn't. Kalakota puts it, anyone with bowels is likely to experience constipation at some point in their life.īut for something so common, most of us know very little about this issue - including when there's a simple fix and when a doctor visit is warranted. "I see patients for constipation in my clinic every single day."Īs Dr. Neeharika Kalakota, a gastroenterologist at Houston Methodist. "Constipation is an extremely common problem," says Dr. The reality is that you're not suffering alone. ![]() You may not be comfortable talking about your bathroom habits, but struggling with bowel movements that aren't regular is probably even more uncomfortable. ![]()
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