Constipation is a common condition that affects the digestive system, characterized by infrequent or difficult bowel movements. It can be uncomfortable and, in some cases, even painful.
Here’s a breakdown of what happens during constipation:
- Slow transit: Normally, food moves through your digestive tract with the help of muscle contractions. In constipation, these contractions slow down, allowing stool to sit in the colon for too long.
- Water absorption: The colon absorbs water from stool as it moves through. With slow transit, the colon has more time to absorb water, making the stool dry and hard.
- Difficult passage: Dry, hard stool is difficult to push through the rectum and out of the body, leading to straining and discomfort.
Common symptoms of constipation include:
- Fewer than three bowel movements per week
- Hard, dry, or lumpy stools
- Straining during bowel movements
- Feeling incompletely emptied after a bowel movement
- Abdominal pain or bloating
- Feeling sluggish or gassy
Many factors can contribute to constipation, including:
- Diet: Low fiber intake, dehydration, or excessive dairy or processed foods.
- Lifestyle: Lack of exercise, sedentary job, or ignoring the urge to have a bowel movement.
- Medications: Certain medications, such as pain relievers, iron supplements, or antidepressants.
- Medical conditions: Hypothyroidism, diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome, neurological disorders, and pregnancy.
