What Causes Constipation and How to Effectively Deal with it?

Constipation is caused by a disorder of bowel function. In the normal digestive process the food moves through the colon which absorbs the water from the food and forms waste products or stool. The stool is then moved forward by muscle contraction toward the rectum through the intestine. By the time stool reaches the rectum most of the water gets absorbed and stool becomes solid.

Constipation occurs
• If the colon absorbs too much water or
• If the colon’s muscle contractions are slow or sluggish, causing the stool to move through the colon too slowly.

Getting into one of the following conditions is what causes constipation:

Constipation Cause 1- Not Enough Fiber in the Diet

The most common cause of constipation is a diet low in fiber. Many people prefer diet high in fats, such as cheese, eggs, and meats. These people suffer from constipation due to lack of enough fiber in the diet.

Constipation Causes 2- Dehydration

Dehydration is another contributor. Liquids add bulk to stools and makes bowel movements softer and easier to pass. It is important to drink fluids like water and juices that hydrate the body and avoid the liquids like drinks containing caffeine or alcoholic beverages which actually cause dehydration.

Constipation Cause 3- Lack of Physical Activity

Though exact mechanism is not yet known but a lack of physical activity leads to the condition. Bed ridden people and sedentary lifestyle white collar workers fall in this category.

Constipation Causes 4- Medications

Some medications like blood pressure medications (calcium channel blockers), pain relief medications (especially narcotics), antacids containing aluminum and calcium, antidepressants, diuretics and iron supplements etc are responsible for the condition.

Constipation Cause 5- Changes in Life or Routine

Uterus compresses the intestine and hormonal changes during pregnancy, reduction of metabolism during aging and disruption of regular routine of frequent travelers are some of the lifestyle changes that cause constipation in majority of cases.

Constipation Causes 6- Laxatives

What is supposed to cure becomes the problem itself. Over use of laxatives can aggravate the condition.

Constipation Causes 7 - Specific Diseases

Certain diseases that cause constipation include neurological disorders (multiple sclerosis, stroke and spinal cord injuries etc, metabolic and endocrine disorders (diabetes hypercalcemia and hypothyroidism etc), and systemic conditions that affect organ systems (Amyloidosis, lupus and scleroderma. These disorders slow down the movement of stool through the colon, rectum, or anus causing the stool to become hard and difficult to eliminate.

Other causes of constipation include problems with colon and rectum like Intestinal obstruction, scar tissue, cancer and many other conditions can narrow the intestine and rectum and cause constipation.

Find out more on symptoms, prevention methods and home remedies in the other related articles.