Constipation – Symptoms, Causes & Prevention
Constipation is characterized by difficult and infrequent bowel movements. Constipation means having fewer than 3 bowel movements a week, hard or dry stools, and difficulty or pain during elimination. It is a condition that affects individuals of all ages from newborns to older individuals. It can affect daily activities which causes irritation, tiredness and difficulty in focusing.
Causes of Constipation
According to Dr. Achal Agrawal, Senior Laparoscopic Surgeon Indore, causes of constipation are mentioned:
- Lack of fibre rich meals like pears, berries, broccoli, sprouts, brown rice, beans, chia seeds, flax seeds etc
- Lack of fluids
- Sedentary lifestyles
- Taking too much stress
- Certain medications like ibuprofen, dicyclomine.
How Is Constipation Related to Gut Health?
- A diverse and balanced gut microbiota helps keep stools soft and bowel movements regular. An imbalance can slow digestion.
- A sluggish digestive system, often due to stress, poor diet or lack of exercises can lead to constipation.
What Can Be Done to Prevent Constipation?
According to General Surgeon Indore – Dr. Achal Agrawal, to prevent constipation:
- Eat fibre rich meals like oats, beans etc
- Include probiotics like yogurt etc
- Stay hydrated
- Do physical exercises like yogasan – bhujangasan, vajrasan, malasana
- Stress management
- Live a healthy lifestyle like eating a balanced diet
- Having a sufficient sleep
- Avoiding harmful habits such as alcohol, smoking etc.
