What Are The Common Causes of Constipation

Constipation is not only annoying it can make a person very uncomfortable. For most people it can be just a minor irritant, but there are those for whom constipation can be chronic and debilitating. In most cases the causes of constipation are easy to pinpoint while in others, there is no identifying causes. That can be frustrating for an individual searching for a way to alleviate the symptoms. Knowing the causes of constipation is key to determining how best to treat it. For constipation sufferers in Los Angeles, relief can only be found through fixing the underlying problem for it.

What Is The Definition Of Constipation?

Constipation is a condition that is defined by the inability to either have a bowel movement or having irregular bowel movements that are uncomfortable or hard to pass. Although everyone has a specific cycle for bowel movement it can vary in range greatly being individualized to their system. When those bowel movements become irregular, the person is said to be constipated. Normally a person should have at least one in a three day period. After three days without evacuation, the stool can become rigid and hard to pass and the person will be experiencing constipation in Los Angeles.

There are three things that define constipation those are: When you have to strain at least 25% of the time to achieve a bowel movement, when they are hard to pass more than a quarter of the time, when there is not complete evacuation from a bowel movement, or having fewer than two bowel movements per week. If you are continually experiencing these symptoms, you may need to take steps to overcome it in Los Angeles.

What Causes A Person To Become Constipated?

Constipation is caused when the colon absorbs too much of the fluid from food. The more time it takes to move food through your digestive tract, the more likely you are to become constipated. More time needed for digestion means that your colon has more time to absorb the water in the foods you eat. When your colon is not supplied with enough fluid, the feces becomes hard and dry making evacuation of it harder which causes the symptoms of constipation.

Although genetics causes the regularity of your system, there are factors that can change the frequency of your movements and those which you can control for. There are those things that you do, or that you eat, that significantly effect your ability to evacuate stool from your system. A major cause of constipation in Los Angeles is inactivity. If you do not move around regularly, you do not stimulate your system to move the waste through it. Lack of exercise can be a major cause of constipation. Likewise, varying from your daily activities such as traveling, can effect your intestines, making you feel sluggish slowing down your system and making constipation more likely.

What Are The Dietary Causes To Constipation?

Dietary causes are of concern for those experiencing constipation. If you are not getting enough fiber in your diet, it can cause your stools to be hard and difficult to pass. Adding fiber to your diet is one of the best ways to alleviate occasional, or chronic, constipation. Another dietary pitfall that causes symptomatic constipation is excessive dairy intake. Dairy slows down digestion while fiber speeds it up. Speeding up the time that food takes to clear the system, is the best way to combat constipation.

Other causes of constipation are things such as pregnancy, stress, pain medications, eating disorders, and depression. They can all effect your ability to move stool through your colon. Anything that the body takes in that changes the balance of it, or slows digestion, will have consequences on your bowel habits which can lead to causes of constipation. The best way to treat constipation is through prevention. Making sure to be cautious about what you are eating, or compensating for changes in your daily habits is the best way to stave off bouts of constipation. Drinking plenty of water and getting a healthy amount of exercise will keep your system working efficiently and keep the balance of water in your colon conducive to health bowel habits undoing the causes of it to begin with.

When to See a Doctor

There are times when your bowel habits will change and simple changes that you make on your own will not be sufficient. For times when you are unable to manage the causes of constipation on your own, it may be necessary to consult a colorectal specialist in Los Angeles. If you cannot combat constipation on your own, seek professional help.