Reasons for Constipation

Reasons for constipation

There are numerous reasons that can lead to the discomfort of constipation. Whether constipation is ongoing, or occasional, it can wreak havoc on your life.

Four of the most common causes of constipation are detailed below.

Reasons for Constipation - the Breakdown

1. Dietary Choices

When experiencing the discomfort of constipation, consider your most recent dietary choices such as:

• Lack Of Fiber—Adults need between 25-38 grams of fiber per day, but get only an average of only 15 grams of fiber per day.
  
  
• Sugar and Salt—Sugar feeds the “bad” bacteria in the gut, throwing off normal digestive processes. Salt sterilizes the beneficial flora of microbes. Processed foods rely heavily on sugar and salt to create flavor in otherwise bland processed food. Therefore, these foods are a reason for constipation.
  
  
• Dairy—Although dairy is recommended as part of a well-balanced diet, large amounts of dairy are a challenge for the body to digest.
  
  
• Change In Diet—When a drastic change is made to an individual’s normal diet, it can lead to the discomfort of constipation. This is common when traveling, in times of high stress, or when eating out at fast food restaurants with greater frequency.
  
  

2. Improper Hydration

Water is essential not only for managing constipation, but for a person’s overall health and well-being. The average adult requires 64 ounces of water per day. Beverages such as soda, fruit flavored drinks, and coffee do not contribute to proper hydration.

In fact, many sugar-filled beverages are actually dehydrating. When a person finds it hard to drink 64 ounces of plain water on a daily basis, they can increase the amount of the following foods and beverages:

• 100% natural coconut water
  
  
• Herbal tea, with minimal sugar or natural sweeteners added
  
  
• 1-2 servings of electrolyte filled sports drinks
  
  
• 1-2 servings of sugar-free sparkling water
  
  
• 1-2 servings of fresh squeezed juice
  
  
• Water infused with natural herbs and fruit
  
  
• Fruits high in water such as melon, citrus, grapes, and papaya
  
  

3. Prescription medications

Many prescription medications have the side effect of possible dehydration, which can lead to one of the reasons for constipation. This is why it is important to fully understand the full range of both short-term and long-term side effects of prescription medications. 

If constipation is a common side effect of a daily prescription, a proactive approach to managing constipation will need to be taken.

4. A decrease in, or lack of physical activity

The human body is not designed to be sedentary. It is designed to move. Movement is essential for encouraging internal organs to do the job they are designed to do.

This is but one of the many reasons that exercise is recommended 4-5 days a week, for a minimum of 30 minutes. When there is a drastic decrease in physical activity the odds of constipation increase.

Eliminating Constipation

Constipation is not only uncomfortable, but can prove hazardous if we are not able to get rid of the toxic waste within the bowels. There is no reason to wait until constipation occurs to address it. Many individuals take a proactive approach to managing constipation, by taking a daily here. 

(Return from Reasons for Constipation to Causes of Constipation)