There are 12 causes of constipation, aka difficult chapters that you must know

Difficulty defecating or also known as constipation is a condition that certainly interferes with everyday life. Apart from causing stomach pain, constipation also makes the stomach feel bloated. So, what causes constipation or difficulty defecating?

How does constipation occur?

The cause of constipation is actually related to how the intestines work. Constipation or constipation occurs because the intestines absorb too much water from feces or feces. As a result, defecation becomes dry and hard, making it difficult to remove from the body.

You see, food usually moves through the digestive tract so that its nutrients can be absorbed. The remaining food that cannot be digested then moves to the large intestine and absorbs water from the waste, resulting in feces.

If a person is constipated, the food they eat may move too slowly. As a result, the intestines absorb too much water from the waste and cause the stool to become dry, hard, making it difficult to pass.

Causes of constipation

The movement of food waste that slows down and makes the intestines absorb more water can occur due to several factors. Here are some things that can cause constipation.

1. Unhealthy diet

One of the things that can cause you to have difficulty defecating is an unhealthy diet. For example, a lack of need for fiber in the body can be a cause of constipation.

Fiber is a source of nutrients needed to soften stool and maintain smooth bowel movements, so that bowel movements are smoother. In addition, there are several foods that can actually cause constipation, such as:

Chocolate

Chocolate is a food that can be found in various preparations, from chocolate bars to cakes. Processed foods that are liked by many people can actually be the mastermind behind your difficulty defecating.

Some experts believe that the milk mixture in chocolate is the cause of difficult bowel movements. In addition, they also argue that the caffeine content in chocolate has a diuretic effect that makes a person urinate more frequently.

This condition can reduce the water content in the body, so that the stool becomes denser and drier. What's more, chocolate is also high in sugar which can affect bowel movements.

Red meat

Apart from chocolate, other foods that cause constipation are red meat. The high fat content in it makes red meat difficult to digest. Not only that, red meat is also high in iron and tough protein fiber. As a result, the stool becomes hard and it becomes difficult to defecate.

Fast food

It is no secret that fast food affects the overall health of the body, including your digestive system. The cause of this one constipation occurs because of the high fat content, but low in fiber.

The combination of the two can certainly slow down bowel movements, making stool difficult to pass. In addition, fast food also tends to be high in salt, which can reduce water content in feces.

Other constipation-causing foods

Apart from the three foods above, there are several other foods that cause a person to have difficulty defecating, including:

• dairy products,
• foods containing gluten, and
• refined grains, such as white bread, white rice, and pasta.

2. Lack of drinking water

An unhealthy diet coupled with a lack of need for water can also be a cause of constipation. When the body lacks fluids, the large intestine will absorb water from food waste to replace it.

This of course results in stool that is hard, dry, and difficult to pass. That is why, staying hydrated not only prevents dehydration, but is also good for your digestive system.

3. Use of certain drugs

The most common causes of constipation are the side effects of certain medications, including:

• antacids containing aluminum and calcium,
• anticholinergics and antispasomics,
• anticonvulsants to prevent seizures,
• diuretic drugs,
• iron supplements,
• medicines for Parkinson's disease,
• pain relievers, and
• antidepressants.

If you suspect a drug that is being consumed is the cause of constipation or constipation, consult a doctor. Ask your doctor to change the prescription or find an alternative medicine that is safe for your digestion.

4. Menstruation

For some women, menstruation is a frequent cause of constipation. Constipation during menstruation is actually related to changes in body hormones.

Ahead of menstruation, the more progesterone hormone that is produced will experience a buildup. This hormone is also responsible for thickening the lining of the uterine wall. On the other hand, an increase in progesterone can cause constipation during ovulation or the days after.

5. Pregnancy

The cause of difficult bowel movements in women which is also related to hormonal changes in the body is pregnancy.

Constipation during pregnancy occurs because the body needs to increase certain hormones to support fetal growth. However, a large increase in hormones causes bowel movements to slow down and keeps stool from settling for longer.

The longer the stool is in the large intestine, the more fluid is reabsorbed by the body. Finally, the stool becomes denser, drier, and harder.

In addition, pregnant women will experience physical changes, especially in the stomach. An enlarged belly indicates an enlarging uterus. This puts excess pressure on the intestines, making it slower to push feces into the anus.

As a result, feces accumulate and get harder in the stomach and make it difficult for pregnant women to defecate.

6. Rarely exercise

Normally, people who regularly exercise rarely experience constipation. The reason is, the large intestine responds to activity and good muscles are important for smooth bowel movements.

The muscles of the abdominal wall and diaphragm play an important role in the process of passing stool. If these muscles are weakened, they will not function properly.

Even so, increasing exercise to treat constipation may be more effective in parents who sit more, than in younger people.

7. Hold back defecation

Some people may choose to ignore nature's “call” to defecate in order to get the job done. Even though holding back defecation can have a bad risk to health, including being a cause of constipation.

When you delay bowel movements, the intestines will fill more and more with the feces that should be excreted. However, due to frequent delays, the stool hardens and dries up, making it difficult to pass.

8. Stress

Did you know that stress can cause constipation? This psychological condition is apparently related to the neural responses in the brain and digestive system that are connected to one another.

You see, some of the body's organ systems are directly connected to the brain, including the digestive system. This means that when the brain feels stressed or stressed, the effects will spread to the digestive system, ranging from stomach pain to constipation.

Excessive stress and anxiety will stimulate the production of the hormone serotonin in the body. Normal serotonin levels function to increase the contraction of smooth muscles in the digestive system. That way, food will move faster and move to the large intestine.

Meanwhile, excessive amounts of the hormone serotonin can actually trigger stomach cramps. If it occurs in one part of the large intestine, the digestion process will stop and cause your bowel movements to become hard.

9. Certain health conditions

Not only an unhealthy lifestyle, this digestive problem can also be motivated by certain diseases. Here are some health conditions that can cause constipation.

Endometriosis

One of the diseases that can cause constipation is endometriosis. Endometriosis is a condition when the tissue that is supposed to line the uterine wall grows outside the uterus.

Endometriosis can cause symptoms related to indigestion, especially diarrhea, constipation and pelvic pain. During menstruation, these symptoms will get worse due to increased hormone levels.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Apart from endometriosis, other causes of constipation are related to health problems irritable bowel syndrome or IBS. Constipation due to IBS usually occurs after you experience diarrhea.

This condition that results from damage to the workings of the intestines can cause repeated abdominal pain. An IBS patient may feel the abdominal muscles contract as if they want to defecate.

In addition, this disorder can also occur when you eat certain foods, such as vegetables or caffeinated drinks.

Diabetes

People with diabetes may have frequent digestive disorders, including constipation. Constipation in people with diabetes results from damage to the intestinal nerves that control how long leftovers stay there.

Intestinal nerve damage due to high blood sugar levels causes food and waste products to move through the intestines too slowly, leading to constipation.

Intestinal nerve damage usually doesn't occur unless you've had type 1 diabetes, which requires years of insulin treatment.

Other diseases

Some of the health problems that can trigger chronic constipation apart from the ones listed include:

• celiac disease,
• Parkinson's disease,
• brain or spinal injury,
• hypothyroidism,
• intestinal obstruction, and
• inflammation associated with diverticular disease and proctitis.

10. Take laxatives excessively

Laxatives are used to treat constipation. However, too much consumption turns out to be the cause of difficult bowel movements. How can?

Constipation medicine should be used when defecating hard and difficult to pass. After the bowel movement returns smoothly, stop using the drug. Unfortunately, there are some people who use this drug even though constipation has improved.

Some people who use laxatives in addition to launching bowel movements have other purposes, such as preventing weight gain.

If left untreated, laxatives can damage nerve cells and interfere with the colon's ability to naturally contract. As a result, you have difficulty passing stools or are constipated.

When you know the cause, it will certainly be easier to apply ways to treat constipation, from home remedies to medicines from a doctor.

In fact, you can also prevent constipation by avoiding its causes. That way, the digestive system will be healthier and avoid problems. If you have further questions, please consult a doctor.

x