5 Lies About Constipation You Need To Stop Believing Now

At one point or another in life, we have all felt constipated. You might have had difficulty while trying to passing stool or you might have passed hard small stools.

It can be a very uncomfortable experience, days go by and you haven’t been able to perform a ‘number two’. Sometimes you may feel bloated, gassy and have an abdominal pain.

Constipation is quite common, it can affect people of all ages. Just as with common disorders, it is prone to having a lot of myths surrounding it, many friends and relatives may also suggest ‘home remedies you should try’, leaving you confused about what works or not.

In this article, I would be debunking 5 popular lies about constipation that are very likely to mislead you.

Before we start, let’s define constipation.

What is constipation?

Constipation is said to occur when a person has hard faeces that are difficult to pass out. To simply state it objectively: if you poop less than 3 times in a week, you are constipated.

Because we are all different, everyone passes stool differently. However, the normal range is from three times in a day to three times in a week.

Constipation may not be very easy to identify, especially if you have had it on for a very long time that it now feels ‘normal’. Identifying it correctly is very important because it is a common reason why people have tears in their anus, sometimes leading to mucus or blood in poop.

This brings me to my next point:

How do you know it’s constipation?

Apart from pooping less than three times in a week, constipation has other symptoms. Here are some:

Straining to poop

If you have to regularly strain before you are able to pass faeces, you are very likely constipated.

Lower tummy pain or discomfort

Sometimes, constipation can present with a vague pain in the abdomen.

Small hard stools

If stools are broken into small pellets or pieces, it could be a sign that you are constipated. This could also be associated with a feeling that you haven’t completely emptied your bowel after pooping.

Swollen/enlarged tummy

People with constipation may have an enlarged tummy from their inability to pass poop. The enlargement may also be related to flatulence (the buildup of gas in their abdomen). They are also likely to feel bloated and uncomfortable.

Now that we have discussed the signs of constipation, let’s go on to debunk 5 popular lies that you might have heard about constipation:

5 lies about constipation you should not believe:

1. Physical inactivity cannot cause constipation

People who are physically active are less likely to have constipation when compared to those who aren’t. Bed ridden and elderly people are usually constipated for this reason as well.

2. Laxatives are the first remedies when constipated

Contrary to popular belief, laxatives should be the last management option when you feel constipated. Laxative abuse can lead to diarrhea and the passage of green stools. Diet modifications(especially high fibre diet) and increased activity can help prevent and treat constipation.

It is also important to note that other medical problems can cause constipation. If your constipation persists for over a week with diet and exercise changes, you should visit your doctor.

3. Aging has nothing to do with constipation

It is not uncommon to see an increase in constipation as a person hits 60, 70 years. This can be attributed to changes in the digestive system, reduced activity, routine medication, dehydration and some other medical conditions.

Older people are more likely to have constipation however, it can also be seen in people of all ages.

4. Your mood doesn’t affect your bowels

Your constipation can be caused by your emotions, stress, anxiety or even depression.

There are several ways by which your body physically manifests your thoughts and emotion. One of this is the feelings of anxiety you may experience just before an interview or a presentation.

5. Coffee relieves constipation.

While it is true that caffeine can stimulate the contraction of  muscles in your digestive system therefore causing bowel movement, we know that caffeine is dehydrating therefore it is not recommended for constipation. If you must drink coffee, use decaf.

What to do to prevent and relieve constipation

Now that we have debunked five common myths about constipation, what do you do to prevent and relieve constipation? Here are some tips:

1. Drink plenty of fluids especially water.
2. Eat fresh and dried fruits which contain fibre.
3. Consume vegetables as they are also have a high fibre content.
4. Get active; exercise and move around.
5. Use the restroom when you have the urge to and you can; don’t postpone defecation unnecessarily.
6. Check your routine medications with your doctor for side effects. Constipation could be a side effect of certain medications.
7. If you’re stressed, relax and spend time with family and friends.

If the constipation doesn’t stop or keeps recurring, visit a doctor as there may be a more serious underlying cause.

Dr. Charles-Davies Omiete is a medical doctor and founder at 25 Doctors, a website where you can ask doctors questions online.