Symptoms Of Lactose Intolerance
By Alex Hirsch
Lactose is a natural sugar that is common in dairy products. Lactose intolerance is the inability to breakdown lactose. The condition is due to the bodys inability to create a sufficient amount of lactase, an enzyme that is supplied by the small intestine. Lactase job is to break down lactose.
When the small intestine doesnt make enough lactase, lactose goes undigested as it moves into the large intestine. Interaction between undigested lactose and bacteria in the large intestine cause uncomfortable symptoms related to lactose intolerance or lactase deficiency.
Symptoms related to lactose intolerance are primarily uncomfortable but do not point to a serious digestive condition. The symptoms generally subside within a few hours. If you are lactose intolerant, you will likely feel the following symptoms:
Dont Miss: Does Apple Cider Vinegar Help Constipation And Bloating
Do Nuts Cause Constipation
There is no concrete evidence that proves that consuming donuts causes constipation. However, some experts believe that the high sugar content in donuts can lead to constipation because sugar can bind to water in the intestine and create a hard, dry stool.
Every day, many people deal with a problem that comes with diarrhea. Constipation can be caused by a variety of factors. Constipation is relieved by eating nuts because of their high fiber content. Constipation is a symptom that does not occur directly as a result of nut consumption. You may become constipated if you consume nuts. As the most popular, peanut is a popular choice. Raw nuts, when consumed in moderation, do not cause constipation because they are high in fiber and magnesium.
What To Do When Cheese Makes You Constipated
Too much cheese and milk are two of the items that might cause constipation. Instead of giving up dairy entirely, you can consider eating less of it and making different food choices. Try yogurt that contains probiotics, which are living bacteria that are beneficial to your digestive system. It may be beneficial in relieving constipation.
Don’t Miss: Can Gallbladder Issues Cause Constipation
Does Cheese Really Constipate You
Related Articles
Folk wisdom, and more especially folk humor, has long insisted that cheese can promote constipation. Despite this longstanding belief, there’s been little research done on the subject, and the results tend to show that cheese in and of itself won’t have a negative effect on your regularity.
What Can I Do About It

A few years ago, doctors were recommending that people avoid eating cheese. They said that it was bad for your digestive system, and that it could cause constipation. This was because of the natural enzyme rennin. This enzyme is found in the stomach of mammals. And it causes digestive enzymes to be released into your digestive tract. Doctors then recommended that you avoid cheese and other products containing this enzyme. As of 2014, doctors are no longer recommending that you avoid cheese. In fact, they say that it is safe to eat cheese as long as you do it in moderation. However, they do still recommend that you avoid products that contain rennin. This is because there is a risk that you could experience constipation if you eat too much cheese. How can you avoid this problem? You should avoid eating more than a small amount of cheese each day. This is about one to three ounces of cheese. Thats it. You should also avoid cheese that has a lot of added ingredients. This is because many cheeses are manufactured using rennin. Because cheese is the #1 source of the enzyme in the U.S., many people who eat too much cheese find that they have constipation. How can you tell when you have too much cheese? You may have digestive problems if you have:1. Swollen ankles.
Also Check: Does Whey Protein Cause Constipation
Olive And Flaxseed Oils
Olive and flaxseed oils have a mild laxative effect, which can ease the flow of materials through the intestines and relieve constipation.
These oils also contain compounds that improve digestion and have antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties.
A 2015 study found that olive and flaxseed oils help to relieve constipation in people undergoing hemodialysis.
Dont Miss: Align Side Effects Diarrhea
Constipation: Foods To Eat Foods To Avoid Faqs
Reviewed by John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP
Q:You are constipated if you don’t have a bowel movement every day. True or false?
A:False. It’s not true you need to have a bowel movement every day, and missing one bowel movement does not mean you are constipated.Everyone’s body is different some people may have three bowel movements each day, while others may have only three per week.Constipation is usually defined as fewer than three bowel movements a week, or your stools are hard, dry, and small, and evacuation is painful or difficult. Fortunately, constipation is not generally a dangerous condition and it doesn’t last a long time.
Q:Adding fiber to your diet can help prevent and relieve constipation. True or False?
Q:If you’re constipated, should you eat white rice or avoid it?
A:Avoid it!White rice is rice with the husk, germ, and bran stripped away. Basically, all the fiber and nutrients have been removed. However, brown rice is different. Because it has the husk, bran, and germ intact it can help relieve constipation. Try mixing brown rice with white rice at first to get used to it.
Q:You’re constipated, and your friend offers you a kiwi. Eat it or avoid it?
Q:What about chocolate? Eat it or avoid it?
Q:Your child is constipated and is asking for popcorn. Should she eat it or avoid it?
Q:When you’re constipated, should you eat cheese or avoid it?
Q:Sweet potatoes: Eat them or avoid them?
Also Check: Does Peanut Butter Give You Heartburn
Blood Pressure And Allergy Meds
- Constipation can be a side effect of some common drugs used to treat high blood pressure, such as calcium channel blockers and diuretics.
- Diuretics, for instance, lower blood pressure by increasing urine output, which flushes water from your system. However, water is needed to keep stools soft and get them out of the body.
- Antihistamines used to treat allergy symptoms can be a problem too.
Inflammatory bowel disease includes two chronic conditionsCrohnâs disease and ulcerative colitis. Both can cause cramping, weight loss, bloody stools, and other health problems.
Chronic diarrhea is a common symptom of both. However constipation can be a problem too.
In ulcerative colitis, constipation can be a sign of inflammation in the rectum and in Crohnâs disease it can be a sign of an obstruction in the small intestine. However if you have constipation alone, without other symptoms, itâs unlikely to be due to IBD.
- Constipation is common during pregnancy, but childbirth itself can be a problem, possibly due to sluggish abdominal muscles or perhaps the use of pain relievers or an anesthetic during the delivery.
- Also, âthere may be some perineal soreness right after the delivery, so the fear of causing more discomfort may be an important factor in the constipation,â says Dr. Park.
- Although stretch injuries during childbirth can sometimes cause nerve damage that leads to constipation, this is less common.
Ways To Prevent Constipation
Like many people, you may be interested in learning about ways to prevent constipation. So, whats causing your constipation? Why does it happen? There are a number of reasons why constipation may happen. First, you may not be consuming enough water. Water helps maintain the correct balance of feces and urine, which can cause constipation. In addition, having a diet that is high in fiber and low in refined sugar can help prevent constipation. Another important factor is adequate physical activity. Exercise helps to move your bowels, and if youre not moving your bowels, your body will hold on to those stools for a while.
Recommended Reading: Does Bloating Make You Gain Weight
Eat More High Fiber Foods
Increasing your intake of high fiber foods greatly reduces your chances of developing constipation and other colon-related issues. There are two kinds of fiber soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber dissolves easily in water and takes on a soft, gel-like consistency in your gut. Insoluble fiber passes through the intestines almost unchanged. The bulk and texture of fiber encourages soft, healthy stools that are easy to pass. You can find both soluble and insoluble fiber in fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, seeds, and whole grains.
Is Peanut Butter Bad For Constipation
peanutsconstipationHere are 13 natural home remedies to relieve constipation.
Also Check: Can A Bug Bite Cause Diarrhea
You May Like: What Can You Do For A Leaky Gut
Supplements For Insulin Resistance Tip #9
Do you hold extra weight around your middle? If so, you may have Metabolic Syndrome, also known as pre-diabetes or Insulin Resistance. You can do all the other tips above, but you cant flatten your belly if its overweight. Get on the Paleo Diet , and watch your triglycerides and weight come steadily down.
Supplements for Insulin Resistance can help manage your glucose, weight and the many problems of high blood sugar. I use the combination of Synulin, Zinc and Systemic Formulas P-Pancreas in the clinic along with the Paleo Diet.
TIP: Handle your excess weight
You May Like: Prenatal Vitamin Diarrhea
Balancing Your Diet For Regularity

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans suggest that adults consume 25 to 30 grams or more of fiber each day, depending on age and gender. Cheese is naturally high in protein and fat, but as an animal product, it has absolutely no fiber. If your diet was high in cheese but low in high-fiber plant foods, you might want to blame your constipation on the cheese, but in fact the culprit would be the absence of fiber. Balancing your diet by adding more fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains can help prevent constipation and promote regularity.
Also Check: How To Survive Ib Junior Year
What Do Long Skinny Poops Mean
Narrowing of the stool may be due to a mass in the colon or rectum that limits the size of the stool that can pass through it. Conditions that cause diarrhea can also cause pencil thin stools. Persistent pencil thin stool, which may be solid or loose, is one of the symptoms of colorectal polyps or cancer.
Go Easy On The Coffee
While coffee can stimulate the digestive muscles that cause you to pass stool, its not a miracle cure for constipation symptoms. Thats because too much caffeine may cause dehydration, leading to a painful and hard stool. Because of this, it is best to avoid excessive amounts of food and liquids containing caffeine, including coffee, teas, soft drinks and chocolate.
According to a December 2012 review published in Nursing, its best to focus on increasing your non-caffeinated fluid intake to improve your ability to pass stool without pain. They suggest trying to drink 60 to 80 ounces of water throughout the day.
To increase your water intake, keep a bottle on your desk at work or in the car to remind you to consistently take in fluids. For the more technologically-savvy drinkers, several water drinking apps can track fluid intake and send alerts.
Don’t Miss: What Does Bloating Feel Like
How Much Poop Is In Your Body
According to the Centers for Disease Control the average man in the U.S. weighs 195.7 pounds, and the average woman weighs 168.5 pounds. This means a man of average weight produces about 1 pound of poop and a woman of average weight produces about 14 ounces of poop per day, contained in your large intestine.
What Are The Common Causes Of Constipation
Several factors can contribute or lead to contribution. Several medical conditions can slow down the progression of food as it passes through the digestive tract. An example of these medical conditions is IBS-C, which is a form of irritable bowel syndrome.
Antacids and iron supplements that many people usually take even without the supervision of their doctor can result in constipation. It is also the case in some classes of drugs such as calcium channel blockers, diuretics, narcotics, as well as some antispasmodics, antidepressants, and anticonvulsants.
Even getting older can also be a factor here. It means that the risks of constipation can also increase with age. However, the primary causes at any age are most probably a diet low in fiber and a lack of physical activity.
Don’t Miss: Can Decaf Coffee Cause Heartburn
Should You Eat When Constipated
Consider water, prune juice, and warm fluids in the morning such as herbal tea or hot lemonade. Eat more high-fiber foods, such as whole-grain breads and cereals, beans, fresh raw vegetables, fresh raw fruits or cooked fruits with the peel on, dried fruits, dates, apricots, prunes, popcorn, seeds, and nuts.
Energy Drinks & Coffee
According to a study published in the journal, European Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, coffee promotes a “gastrocolic response” in the body shortly after consumption, which causes many people high-tail it to the bathroom after a cup or two. However, sip too much of the stuffor anything else with caffeine for that matteryou’ll likely experience the opposite response. Not only are you not sipping water when you reach for a caffeinated drink, the stimulants can also dehydrate you. Since H2O pushed waste through the body, when your body is as dry as the desert, it makes it difficult to lighten your load.
Also Check: Can Gluten Free Make Ibs Worse
What If A Breastfed Baby Is Constipated After Starting Off On Solids
Many babies get constipated after solids are introduced into their diet. This may be due to a non-fibrous or iron-rich diet which usually causes constipation. Therefore, measures should be taken to stop or reduce the intake of such food. Babies should be given more fluids, especially breast milk to combat constipation. Depending on a paediatricians advice and recommended dosage, prune juice can also be given as it acts as a stool softener.
Can Eating Cheese Everyday Cause Constipation

If you get constipated often, do yourself a favor and take a look at your diet. Among the foods that may block you up: too much cheese and milk. But you may not have to give up dairy — just eat less of it and change your choices. Try yogurt with probiotics, live bacteria that’s good for your digestive system.
Recommended Reading: What’s Good For Constipation In Adults
How Do You Get Rid Of Constipation From Cheese
In Kurowskis opinion, more foods can help improve the situation. Fruits and vegetables rich in fiber, as well as whole grains, legumes, and beans, are frequently added to the diet. When possible, consult a stool softener. Dr. Smith decides whether or not constipation is serious based on the severity of the problem.
Constipation can be brief or chronic, and the causes range from a sedentary lifestyle to gastrointestinal conditions. Constipation and poop is relieved by eating fiber-rich foods. Insoluble fiber and soluble fiber are two types of fiber in food. Foods rich in both are beneficial for relieving constipation on occasion as well as chronic conditions. You can speed up your metabolism by drinking hot beverages like coffee or tea. Natural laxatives should be avoided if they cause diarrhea, cramping, or bloating. In addition to water, fiber requires adequate hydration.
Chronic constipation, eating fried food, or consuming processed meats and other high-fat foods can all contribute to it. BRAT diet is one that a dietitian recommends for a variety of digestive issues. Intermittent fasting may cause some changes to bowel movements.
How Can I Clear My Bowels Every Morning
10 ways to make yourself poop first thing in the morning
You May Like: How To Help Heartburn And Acid Reflux While Pregnant
What Is The Reason For Constipation
Constipation can be caused by dehydration, poor diet, or lack of fiber in the diet. It can also be caused by taking certain medications. These include narcotic pain medications, as well as stimulant medications. Constipation can also be caused by too much fiber. This can be from certain types of fruit, for example. If you are suffering from constipation, try drinking more fluids. You can also try eating more fiber-rich foods, such as beans, vegetables, and whole grains.
Things You Should Never Do When Youre Constipated
Theyll only make your clogged pipes worse.
We all have those days when itâs so tough to have a bowel movement that even the throes of childbirth look like a cakewalk. In fact, it happens more often than you think: According to the Womenâs Health Foundation, more than 4 million Americans suffer from frequent constipation. And as luck would have it, women are three times more likely to get blocked up than men. Some doctors speculate itâs because our colons are slightly longer, adding more twists and turnsand potential roadblocksto our digestive tracts.
But while the bloating and abdominal pain associated with a gridlocked gut may be common, the symptoms arenât something you should simply flush down the drain. âVery severe constipation is not only very uncomfortable, but it can also lead to blockage of your colon , which then may require more invasive treatment than laxatives alone,â says Lee Ann Chen, M.D., a gastroenterologist at NYU Langone Medical Center. Translation: The last thing you want to do when thereâs a kink in your pipes is partake in anything that might plug you up even more. To help move things along when you just canât go, make it a point to avoid these poop-blocking behaviors:
You May Like: Can A Uti Make You Bloated
Also Check: How Do You Say Heartburn In Spanish