Constipation Relief - Common Myths About Causes and Cures
Constipation is a common digestive problem which is characterized by infrequent stool elimination, hardened stools, and difficulty passing stools or straining.
Also, it is not unusual to feel bloated or experience discomfort or pain.
There may even be a sense of incomplete emptying after a bowel movement.
Constipation is a symptom; it is not a disease.
It can be caused by various disorders.
Constipation can occur when the colon's muscle contractions are too slow or sluggish, causing waste material to move through the bowels too slowly.
Slow movement permits more time for water to be reabsorbed into the bloodstream, causing the stools to become hard.
Constipation is not a pleasant experience, especially severe cases.
They are so many causes and remedies promoted; sometimes it is hard to what is the best method of relief to use.
The following are a few common myths debunked about constipation.
MYTH: Increasing water helps with constipation Fact: The problem with constipation is too little water in the stool, not too little water in the body.
If you have used a bulk forming laxative in the past (FiberconÒ, MetamucilÒ, or CitrucelÒ), you will recall it is recommended to drink a full glass (8 oz.
) of water with each dosage.
The water intake prevents choking, hardening of the fiber and blockage in the intestine.
You should follow the instructions.
Bulk-forming laxatives and chemical substances such as sugar, for example, Karo® Syrup retains water in the stool.
However, drinking larger amounts of water has not been shown to have a benefit on constipation.
The intestine already has a lot of water and any extra is absorbed and excreted as urine.
According to the American Journal of Gastroenterology, unless there is evidence of dehydration, there is no evidence that increasing fluid intake can successfully treat constipation.
MYTH: Ignoring the urge to have a bowel movement does not contribute to constipation.
Fact: Ignoring the urge to have a bowel movement may cause you to stop feeling the urge.
Some people delay having a bowel movement because they are busy, self-conscious of using public or other people's restrooms, or simply do not like to have a bowel movement.
This can lead to serious constipation and other maladies.
MYTH: If you don't have one bowel movement a day, it's abnormal.
The Truth: Less than 50% of people have one bowel movement a day.
What is normal and regular for you may not be what is normal and regular for someone else.
Also, it is not unusual to feel bloated or experience discomfort or pain.
There may even be a sense of incomplete emptying after a bowel movement.
Constipation is a symptom; it is not a disease.
It can be caused by various disorders.
Constipation can occur when the colon's muscle contractions are too slow or sluggish, causing waste material to move through the bowels too slowly.
Slow movement permits more time for water to be reabsorbed into the bloodstream, causing the stools to become hard.
Constipation is not a pleasant experience, especially severe cases.
They are so many causes and remedies promoted; sometimes it is hard to what is the best method of relief to use.
The following are a few common myths debunked about constipation.
MYTH: Increasing water helps with constipation Fact: The problem with constipation is too little water in the stool, not too little water in the body.
If you have used a bulk forming laxative in the past (FiberconÒ, MetamucilÒ, or CitrucelÒ), you will recall it is recommended to drink a full glass (8 oz.
) of water with each dosage.
The water intake prevents choking, hardening of the fiber and blockage in the intestine.
You should follow the instructions.
Bulk-forming laxatives and chemical substances such as sugar, for example, Karo® Syrup retains water in the stool.
However, drinking larger amounts of water has not been shown to have a benefit on constipation.
The intestine already has a lot of water and any extra is absorbed and excreted as urine.
According to the American Journal of Gastroenterology, unless there is evidence of dehydration, there is no evidence that increasing fluid intake can successfully treat constipation.
MYTH: Ignoring the urge to have a bowel movement does not contribute to constipation.
Fact: Ignoring the urge to have a bowel movement may cause you to stop feeling the urge.
Some people delay having a bowel movement because they are busy, self-conscious of using public or other people's restrooms, or simply do not like to have a bowel movement.
This can lead to serious constipation and other maladies.
MYTH: If you don't have one bowel movement a day, it's abnormal.
The Truth: Less than 50% of people have one bowel movement a day.
What is normal and regular for you may not be what is normal and regular for someone else.
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