What causes constipation?
Main causes of constipation
What causes constipation?
When you know what causes constipation, you can take steps to avoid it.
The
basic cause of constipation is that the food moves slowly in the large
intestine (colon). One of the functions of colon is to absorb water
from the matter in it. So the longer digested food stays in colon, the
more water is removed from it.
That causes the matter to
become dry and hard. When a person tries to eliminate that matter, he
experiences discomfort. He has to strain to evacuate. As the passage of
stool is not smooth, he may find that painful.
Bowel movement is controlled by the person. That means that
the person can choose not to go to toilet even when he feels the urge.
He may do that because of many reasons such as
toilet is not available at the moment.
he is too busy doing something and doesn't want to interrupt his work.
He feels lazy to get up and go to bathroom.
If this happens once in a while, it may not result in constipation. But
when that happens too frequently, constipation can be the result.
Some other causes of constipation can also contribute to the
problem. Apart from the delay in going to toilet, there are other
reasons that can cause the dryness and the hardness of the matter in
the colon.
These are:
Some Medicines
Old age
Dehydration
Bad food habits
Some conditions such as a stroke
Being habituated to taking laxatives
Problems with the digestive system, colon or rectum etc.
If left untreated, the above can contribute for the problem to become chronic Constipation.
Constipation is the cause for concern if
Constipation
Is acute. It starts for no reason.
Becomes chronic.
It persists for more than 2-3 months
There is blood in the stool.
You should consult your doctor immedietly.
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