Constipation is a painful condition that disturbs your bowel movements. If you’re not passing stools frequently, having difficulty in pooping, or have dry or lumpy excrement, you might be suffering from constipation.
Relieving constipation urgently is crucial. Otherwise, it could lead to serious health problems.
Luckily, several herbs and foods can help you have a bowel movement fast.
Let’s go through the signs, causes, and preventive tips for constipation. Then, we’ll share some helpful tips for you to treat this disease naturally and quickly without relying only on drugs.
What are the symptoms of constipation?
In the beginning, the symptoms of constipation are mild. But as the days go by, you might feel worse.
It’s important to recognize the alarming signs of constipation and get on-time treatment so you can avoid complications.
Some constipation symptoms are as follows:
- Heaviness in abdomen or tummy
- Cramps in the abdomen or tummy
- Back pain
- Bloating
- Hard, dry, and small stools
- Feeling of remaining stool in the rectum
- Paleness
- Lethargy
- Nausea
- Drowsiness
- Going for poop fewer than 3 times a week
What causes constipation?
Besides knowing how constipation would make you feel, you should also be aware of the causes of this condition.
Dehydration is the primary cause of constipation. Because of low hydration, your intestines are deficient in water and cannot add any to the stools. Thus, making them dry, lumpy, and hard to pass.
In some people, eating lots of dairy products like milk and cheese can cause issues with pooping.
Additionally, not getting sufficient fiber in your diet is a leading cause of constipation in adults. It’s important to eat fiber-rich fruits, vegetables, and wheat products so your bowel movements are normal.
If you’re not physically active and have a sedentary lifestyle, you might experience constipation. Exercising is necessary for instant relief.
What can happen if you are constipated for too long?
A few days of constipation won’t cause serious issues. However, if you experience long-term constipation, you might develop the risk of hemorrhoids, anal fissures, rectal or anal bleeding.
Rectum blockage is also possible if you remain constipated for too long. The stool keeps accumulating and finally gets stuck in the rectum, unable to pass through. It’s known as “fecal impaction” and can be quite painful if not treated properly.
In severe cases, too much strain to release poop can cause a terrifying complication known as “rectal prolapse.” It causes the intestines to move from their place and drop down from the anus.
A minor prolapse can be treated at home by using stool softening agents. But critical relapse might require surgery.
How many days can a person go without pooping?
How often you pass stool depends on your lifestyle, physical activity, and dietary habits.
If you eat fiber-rich food often, you might pass stool regularly, sometimes more than once a day.
However, if you eat high-fat junk food, alcohol, or sugary items, you will be constipated more frequently.
Scientists say that the most you can go without pooping are 3 days. After that, you will need to consult a doctor or try home remedies to relieve constipation.
Is it bad to push hard when having a bowel movement?
Constantly straining hard to push poop can be harmful to you.
The anus is surrounded by muscles that help you pass the stool. If these muscles are weak or you have a hard lumpy stool stuck in the rectum, you will need to put in excess energy to push the poop.
This often leads to swollen veins in the anus and severe pain, hemorrhoids, or blood in poop. You might develop internal rectal tears which cause stool or bladder incontinence.
Can constipation cause back pain?
Because of too much poop accumulated in the intestines, they will push against the organs and cause abdominal or back pain. However, this pain is quite dull and causes discomfort. You might be unable to sleep, lie down properly, or even perform routine chores.
How to prevent constipation?
Firstly, you will need to pay attention to hydration. Drinking at least 8 glasses of water is recommended to keep things moving smoothly down there. Avoid the urge to drink sodas or alcohol instead of water.
If you have a desk job or spend most of your time sitting down, you need to get more active. Involve yourself in sports such as swimming, running, cycling, or a simple walk. Take out some minutes for yoga or a daily workout to enhance digestion.
You will also need to quit alcohol. These beverages are known to suck away water and make you dehydrated. It’s common to be constipated after drinking.
It’s also necessary to pay attention to your diet. Stop eating processed foods and add more fiber-rich items to your diet.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 Mango
- 1 Pineapple Core
- 2 Cups Pineapple
- 1½ Cups Blackberries
- 2 Plums
Nutrition
Best foods to eat that ease constipation
Let’s go through some amazing foods that can help you get rid of constipation at home naturally.
- Apples: Apples are a rich source of fiber. They are among the best foods that boost digestion. When eaten with skin the benefits are increased.
- Bananas: Ripe bananas are loaded with fiber and useful for pushing bowels down. Avoid eating unripe or green bananas though – they are the cause of constipation.
- Berries: With just half cup of berries, you get 4 grams of fiber. Thus, all kinds of berries such as strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries are ideal for constipation relief.
- Oranges: Ever noticed the fine thread-like lines in oranges? That’s the high fiber content, helpful for digestion. It’s a great fruit to move bowels smoothly.
- Pears: Like apples, pears are packed with not only fiber but water as well. They are perfect for easing digestion and relieving constipation.
- Yogurt: Yogurt is rich in probiotics which is a necessary ingredient to help stool pass through easily.
- Whole-grain foods: Instead of eating white bread, pasta, and rice, try adding whole grains into your diet. The husk of whole grains is great for proper digestion and moves bowels with ease.
- Lentils: Red, yellow, and black lentils are also ideal for constipation relief since they contain high fiber content.
- Coffee: Coffee works as a natural laxative and can be used to instantly move the poop down with pressure. However, it can leave you dehydrated so it’s important to drink up lots of water.
- Green tea: It’s also an effective laxative and one of the best drinks to relieve constipation.
- Green leafy vegetables: Broccoli, spinach, kale, and arugula are also some must-have vegetables packed with nutritional fiber and improve bowel movement.
Conclusion
Do you often experience constipation? We hope this article gives you clear tips on how to prevent this condition. Moreover, we have shared useful lifestyle-altering tips and a list of foods to eat regularly to get rid of constipation in a jiffy!
