Sometime in everyone’s life they are going to experience periods of constipation. There are many different causes for this discomfort, and will generally clear up on its own. New medications, poor diet, and lack of exercise can all supply valid reasons for nonexistent bowel movements. Symptoms of constipation can vary as much as the reasons causing the discomfort.
The most obvious indication is a lack of regular bowel movements. Many people are under the false impression being regular means everyone should have a bowel movement at least once a day. But the medical professions claims if people go at least three times a week that is sufficient. However, it is considered constipation if stool is passed less than three times a week, and considered severe if less than once a week.
Passing hard stools is a clear sign of constipation. Regular bowel movements should be soft, and easily evacuated from the body. A change in your diet, adding fiber rich foods, will help soften the stool.
Another symptom is straining to defecate. Straining is painful to your abdomen and can cause other medical conditions, such as hemorrhoids. Hardened stool and the inability for the muscles to move it out give reason for the need to strain. When possible, if the urge hits you, make sure to relieve yourself. Suppressing the urge can lead to constipation.
Sometimes symptoms will make you feel you still need to pass a stool even though you just did. The intestines could have hardened stool still inside giving you that continual feeling of the need to have a bowl movement. This leads to straining and the problems that follow.
Most effects of constipation work their selves out, and once the stool is passed you feel much better. But be aware of bodily function changes, such as extreme pain in the intestines. These may indicate a need for a visit to the doctor. Learn more about how to relieve infant constipation or toddler constipation remedies.
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