What Causes Chronic Constipation?

Sometimes, you just can’t do a proper “number two.” Or maybe, you have done it but immediately after, it feels as if you haven’t really passed everything down there. It is a funny and an uncomfortable feeling, especially if it is something that you have to live through almost every day.

If you are experiencing this, you are most likely constipated. Constipation is nothing new for most people, as almost everyone has experienced being constipated at some point in their lives. Usually, it only lasts for a few hours to a few days at the most and can be resolved with medications that can be bought over the counter. But what if it becomes worse?

This is what chronic constipation is about. Unlike the kind that most people may know, chronic constipation is something more serious and sometimes, could also be a sign of something worse happening in the background of your body.

 Here are the things you need to know about this condition, what causes it, and the best remedies for constipation easily available for you.

What is constipation and when is it chronic?

Constipation can be considered “chronic” once it goes on for a prolonged period of time and is starting to become a hindrance for someone to live their lives normally. Its short-term counterpart, acute constipation, is usually just temporary and can be a result of either a bad diet or some food that was eaten recently. For example, if someone is low in fiber, they may experience being constipated as a result. Usually, a temporary relief can be through a laxative, like an Ex-Lax Chocolated Stimulant Laxative that you can buy online.

However, there are things that can trigger a worse case of constipation other than a simple neglect in your choice of foods. Here are some of them.

What causes chronic constipation?

Anxiety and depression

You may be physiologically healthy, but still be at risk of having chronic constipation. If you are constantly in a state of anxiety, your body activates your sympathetic nervous system. Among other things, this affects the activeness of your digestive system and will thus affect your regular bowel movement patterns.

People going through depression can also be at risk of constipation since depression may lead someone to move less and have less physical activity. Additionally, medications that help with this condition can sometimes disrupt the balance of your metabolism and thus also result in constipation.

Pregnancy

Being constipated is normal in some pregnant women. In fact, it has been reported that at least two in five pregnant women experience certain levels of constipation throughout their pregnancy.

This is because of the body increasing the level of the hormone progesterone during pregnancy. As a result, this can affect the ability of intestinal muscles to contract.

Underactive thyroid

Your thyroid is a small gland that is located near the front of your neck. Among other things, the thyroid is responsible for making sure that your metabolism is in perfect rhythm. If it is underperforming or is not functioning properly due to a lot of reasons, your metabolism would be affected and thus would also ruin your bowel rhythm.

Left unattended, this can lead to chronic constipation or even worse conditions.

Diabetes

Similar to hypothyroidism, diabetes is also considered a hormonal problem and thus can affect your metabolism. If you have diabetes, your body no longer produces the sufficient amount of insulin it needs to properly break down all the sugar you consume. This can be a problem in digestion especially if you consume high-sugar foods such as rice or anything that is sweet.

Side effect of medications

Sometimes, the chronic constipation that one is experiencing may be not due to problems with their body but as a result of side effects of some medications that they are taking. If you notice that your meds start to disrupt your bowel movement and it has been affecting your daily living, discuss alternative options with your doctor as soon as possible.

What are the early signs of chronic constipation?

Knowing the difference between acute and chronic constipation can sometimes be tricky, but there are some tell-tale signs that your inability to pass bowel properly may be something chronic already.

• Total inability to pass bowel for a long time
• Passing bowel but having the feeling of “something left”
• Hard to pass stool, usually black in color (indication of blood)
• Prolonged feeling of being bloated

Can you treat chronic constipation?

Chronic constipation needs specific steps to be treated, and professional help through your physician or doctor is needed at this point. Still, you can do a number of things to help yourself be eased of the symptoms of constipation that you are suffering from.

Exercise regularly

When you work your muscles, your metabolism also gets boosted and can result in better digestive health as well.

Increase fibre intake

Try to infuse your daily diet with more fiber. A good choice of oats for breakfast can help a lot, and there are a number of cheap yet nutritious options you can easily buy online.

Increase your water intake

Unless your doctor specifically advised you to drink less water, staying hydrated can help your body deal with digestive problems better.

Take supplements

Companies such as Novartis offer a wide range of supplements and over the counter medicine that can help ease symptoms of constipation. Although most of these products are obtainable without the need for a prescription, it is always a good idea to consult with your doctor first.

Before you go

Constipation is something that almost everyone has gone through at some point in their lives. However, what differs temporary constipation from chronic constipation is on how long the symptoms last and on whether it starts to affect your ability to live and function well as a person.

Still, there are available treatments even for chronic cases of constipation. Always remember that if you feel like something is not right with your stool and bowel movement pattern, do not delay your consultation with your doctor for early prevention.