Healthy eating

One assumption of some people is that if an individual does not have a bowel movement every day, that he or she is constipated.  This is not the case.  Not every individual has 1 or more bowel movements a day.  Some people only have a bowel movement every other day or every couple of days.  It varies from individual to individual.

There are also some individuals who have bowel movements three or more times a day.  There are some experts that would have you believe that having three to five bowel movements a day is best.

What’s important to remember is that constipation is a symptom of another health issue and it is not a disease.  Most people experience constipation at some point in their life.  Poor diet and lack of water intake is usually to blame.  Children who tend to withhold a bowel movement (usually during potty training as a method of resistance) sometimes become constipated.  Infants and small children also sometimes experience constipation during dietary changes.  For example, a child might become constipated when he or she is transitioning into solid foods.

Constipation is a very common gastrointestinal symptom.  Most people will experience it at some point in their lives.  It is actually one of the most common problems among people in the United States.  There are an estimated 4 million or more Americans who suffer from chronic constipation.  The most common people who experience constipation are women and older adults 65 or older.  Pregnant women sometimes experience constipation.  It is a common complaint after childbirth or surgery.

To treat constipation, an individual can try an over-the-counter laxative.  There are several different reasons why someone might suffer from constipation:

• Not enough fiber in the diet (you should be getting between 25 and 35 grams of fiber a day – unfortunately most Americans only get between 5 grams and 15 grams a day)
• Lack of physical activity
• Certain medications
• Milk and other dairy products
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Changes in daily life or routine, such as pregnancy, aging and travel
• Over-use or abuse of laxatives
• Ignoring the urge to have a bowel movement and holding it for too long
• Dehydration
• Specific diseases or conditions, like a stroke (very common)
• Problems within the colon and rectum
• Problems with intestinal function

If you believe you are constipated, try adding more fresh fruits and vegetables to your diets, as well as whole grain foods, which is how you add natural fiber.  Drink more water and increase your daily activity levels.  If your constipation does not go away with home remedies and over-the-counter use, you should make a doctor’s appointment immediately.  Constipation is a mild problem, which can turn into a severe issue if left untreated.