Constipation is not only uncomfortable, it can also be painful and excruciating. According to experts, there are also several causes when doing everything right and still constipated. Lack of fiber, certain medications, and health conditions are some of the common causes behind why you are constipated.
Constipation or constipation is a condition where the chapter is experienced less than 3 times a week. Constipation can become chronic or chronic if you experience 2 or more of the following symptoms in the past 3 months:
- Chapter less than 3x/week
- Hard and tend to be forced
- Feeling as if something is blocking the end of the rectum so that it is blocking or causing difficulty passing stool
- Feeling that the chapter is always incomplete as if there is still residual stool in the large intestine
- Sometimes requires pressure on the stomach to expel all the remaining feces during defecation
There are several causes when doing everything right and still constipated:
- Obstruction in the large intestine or rectum slows the movement of stool to be excreted. This condition often occurs in colon obstruction, injury to the anus, colon cancer, narrowing of the large intestine area, and others.
- Nerve disorders around the large intestine and rectum are often found in patients with Parkinson’s disease, stroke, multiple sclerosis, autonomic nervous system disorders, etc.
- Musculoskeletal disorders that are needed in the process of expelling feces, such as the inability of the pelvic muscles to relax in bowel movements, contraction and relaxation of the pelvic muscles are not in line and weakness of the pelvic muscles.
- Conditions that affect the work of hormones in the body such as diabetes, hyperparathyroidism, hypothyroidism, and pregnancy.
- Sitting position for a long time will elevate your large intestine, this will inhibit bowel movements that cause constipation. Take regular breaks to be sure to get up and move around a lot. Walking and deep squats, in particular, are two very effective movements to promote bowel movements.
- You eat too fast, the body is not always ready. Your body will adapt, but its digestion will not work at 100 percent. So larger pieces of food won’t break down or be completely absorbed before moving to the large intestine. The end result is poor digestion Which ultimately leads to constipation.
- Painkillers can cause constipation. This also applies to over-the-counter medicines such as Tylenol and ibuprofen, as well as prescription drugs such as hydrocodone and oxycontin. These drugs bind to the same receptors in the stomach, numbing your entire digestive system as well as your pain. Painkillers should not be used for more than 30 days if possible. In the meantime, use a stool softener daily along with painkillers.
Read also: What To Eat When You are Constipated and Bloated
Risk factors that increase the occurrence of constipation:
- Age (the older, the higher the risk of constipation), female gender, dehydration (lack of fluid consumption), low fiber diet, infrequent physical activity, using certain drugs (sedatives, narcotics, drugs to lower blood pressure), etc
Some things that can be done when doing everything right and still constipated:
- Start with a high-fiber diet and lifestyle changes. The recommended fiber is 14 grams/1000 kcal.
Examples of fiber content in vegetables/fruits:
Name of fruit/vegetable Fiber (gr)
Lettuce 0.6
Cucumber 0.5
Broccoli 5.1
Celery 1.5
Bitter melon 0.8
Sweet potato 0.8
Cabbage 0.9
Carrot 4
Paprika 1.3
Spinach 2.8
Beans 1.2
Avocado 3.2
Asparagus 3.6
Strawberry 2.9
- Perform appropriate physical activity/exercise every day, because regular physical activity will also increase muscle activity in the gastrointestinal tract,
- Do not underestimate the urge to go to a chapter because of busyness or haste. If you feel like chaptering, take enough time without feeling rushed.
- What about the use of laxatives? There are various ingredients that can be used as laxatives with different ways of working such as:
– Fiber supplementation: works by making mass in the stool
Osmotic laxative: helps fluid move through the large intestine
Lubricant: facilitates the movement of feces through the large intestine
Stool softener: makes the stool softer
– Stimulant laxative
Long-term use of laxatives should be discussed with a doctor.