Does Constipation Make You Tired

Can Constipation Cause Extreme Fatigue And Nausea

Question posted by gevraiff on 18 May 2012

Last updated on 1 January 2020 by Kkw0129

MY 17 year old nephew has been very sick with extreme fatigue and nausea for about 3 weeks. He just saw gi, who told him it’s constipation. His mom is furious-but I think it’s possible, and she should at least try treating it. My sister is concerned something more serious is beomg overlooked, even though blood counts, ultrasound, stool sample all clear. Any thoughts?Anyone ele had these symptoms? oh yes, he is also about 6 weeks post op from having his appendix out. He is an honor student who loves volleyball, missing way too much school! Help!

Kkw0129

I dont have any experience with losing my appendix but setting that aside I absolutely believe that the fatigue and nausea can be caused by constipation. I have chronic constipation because of the number of drugs that I take. I can tell you that almost every single time I have a bowel movement my chronic nausea subsides at a large degree. The exhaustion for me does improve at the same time but to be fair I will say I have other health concerns that can affect my energy level as well. Please feel free to ask me questions. I hope your nephew finds relief for his symptoms.

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I know this is many years later but I am adding a response for others that may still come across this thread.

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What To Do To Stop Anxiety Constipation

It would be great if there were some type of exercise you can do to control constipation caused by anxiety, but unfortunately as long as you still have anxiety, your body is still likely to continue to be constipated. It’s the nature of the effects of anxiety.

There are some strategies that could at least help a little bit. Ideally, try to avoid laxatives unless instructed by your doctor. While they may be useful for stopping constipation, they also have a tendency to cause dehydration which can make your anxiety symptoms worse. What you should do:

• Eat Well There are two main additions to your diet than can help relieve your constipation. Eat more fiber and drink more fluids. If you know there are foods that make you more constipated, avoid them.
• Exercise Exercise is both an anxiety cure and a healthy way to move food through the digestive tract. Studies have shown that when you exercise, you process food at a much faster rate. The more intense your exercise, the better it is for both your anxiety and your constipation, so strongly consider introducing healthy exercise into your daily routine.

Take measures to reduce your stress and anxiety This is the most important thing you can do, and it could include taking a mindfulness training, learning to accept your anxiety so that it will dissolve or going into therapy to locate and let go of the causes of your anxiety.

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How Constipation Wrecks Your Health

Most people think of constipation as a symptom rather than the cause of their health problems. And for many functional gastrointestinal conditions like gut pathogens, leaky gut and food sensitivities, this is definitely the case – which is why you might want to get tested and uncover the root cause of your constipation – learn more about those HERE.

But, constipation itself can also be the root cause of other symptoms and conditions. Constipation can wreak havoc with your insides, stemming from one of three main issues 1. Toxin reabsorption in the colon, including excess hormones, that would normally be excreted in the stool . 2. Imbalance of intestinal flora, including a reduction in healthy species and overgrowths of unwanted bacteria or pathogens . 3. Structural and physical effects of large hard stools and the straining that commonly accompanies them .

It is these mechanisms that can cause a whole range of unwanted symptoms and are the side effects of constipation on the body that you may be struggling with right now…

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Blood In Your Stool Bleeding From The Rectum And/or Change In The Appearance Of The Stool

One of the most disturbing symptoms of colon cancer can be bleeding from the rectum or blood in the toilet. Conditions such as hemorrhoids or fissures can also cause small amounts of blood, so if you notice blood, contact your physician and be sure to explain any other symptoms that you may be experiencing at the same time. A large amount of blood may warrant a visit to the emergency room.

The way that your stool looks can be a good indicator of what is going on inside your body. Small, hard stool is an indicator of constipation. But if you notice one of these other changes, contact your physician.

• Change in Shape. If your stool becomes thin, narrow or ribbon-like this could be an indication of changes inside your colon. Contact your health care provider to have the condition evaluated.
• Change in Color. If you notice blood in the stool, or darkened, or tarry stool this could also be an indication of changes inside the colon. Your physician can help you to determine the cause.

The Link Between Ibs And Chronic Fatigue

Only IBS-D doesnt involve constipation.

Research suggests that about 55% of people with IBS have fatigue. The link isnt fully understood. It may be due to genetic abnormalities that affect serotonin, a neurotransmitter and hormone that deals with digestion and sleep.

Serotonin dysregulation is also linked to fibromyalgia, ME/CFS, and other central sensitivity syndromes. Those conditions frequently overlap with IBS.

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A Doctor Explains What It Means If You Get Tired After You Poop

Heres one you may have pondered while sitting on your porcelain throne.

poop.

Heres one you may have pondered more than once while on your porcelain throne: Why am I so dang tired after I poop?

Well, thankfully Dr. Sameer Islam is here to answer this, ahem, unique question on his YouTube channel. And, yes, there is absolutely a medical reason for this phenomenon.

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The most common reason, according to Dr. Islam, is something called a vasovagal reflex.

Whenever you use the restroom, you squeeze those abdominal muscles really tight to push things out, Dr. Islam says. That squeezing of the abdominal muscles causes your vagus nerve to be contracted.

This essential nerve helps control relaxation, so the squeezing of it can actually decrease your heart rate, causing your blood pressure to drop. This means less blood is going to your brain, giving you this sensation of being dizzy or tired, according to Dr. Islam.

This common issue isnt something to worry about, according to Dr. Islam. But there are some ways to help curb the need to snooze after a bowel movement.

One of the things you can do to hopefully get that taken care of is maybe not push as much as you typically do, he says. Or take deep breaths and allow that blood flow go back in your head.

Just make sure you aren’t doing intense breathing exercises in public restrooms. That’s just weird.

What Physical Symptoms Can Constipation Cause

• You have fewer than three bowel movements a week.
• Your stools are dry, hard and/or lumpy.
• Your stools are difficult or painful to pass.
• You have a stomach ache or cramps.
• You feel bloated and nauseous.
• You feel that you haven’t completely emptied your bowels after a movement.

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Feeling Of Unwell Malaise Or Fatigue

One of the main functions of bowel movements is to eliminate waste material from the body. When we dont go to the bathroom as often as we should, our body retains toxins and we start experiencing the alternative side effects of constipation.

If I didnt have bowel movements for more than 2 days, I would start feeling unwell, somewhat tired and simply lacked energy.

Somehow, the closer I got to having a bowel movement, the worse I felt, as if toxins were accumulating and my body was struggling to eliminate them. The moment I had a bowel movement, my malaise would just disappear and I would feel normal again.

Can Constipation Make You Physically Ill

Also, constipation can lead to stomach distention and bloating, which occurs the longer stools remain in your colon. This triggers an increase of bacteria in you colon, prompting a nauseous feeling. Depending on the severity of constipation, you may also experience loss of appetite and begin skipping meals.

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Not Having Any Symptoms At All

Keep in mind, that many people who are diagnosed with colon cancer report having no symptoms prior to their diagnosis. Over 45? Family history of colorectal cancer? Dont wait for symptoms to occur before you get screened. Talk to your physician or primary care provider to get more information about screening options.

Possible Ways The Conditions Are Connected

So, whats the connection between the two conditions? Dr. Chang says that many factors may contribute to the development of both conditions. Here are some possible scenarios.

1. Post-infectious syndromes IBS sometimes develops after a stomach bug or food poisoning, says Chang. Likewise, chronic fatigue syndrome has been seen in people after a bacterial, viral, or parasitic infection. In fact, in chronic fatigue, one of the biggest theories is that some sort of infection is causing the symptoms, she says.

Studies from Norway have linked Giardia infection, or giardiasis, with both the development of IBS and CFS. The most recent study, published in 2018 in the journal Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, tracked what happened after the parasite got into the water supply in Bergen, Norway, in 2004. In total, more than 1,200 exposed patients had confirmed giardiasis, causing diarrhea, stomach pain, and other intestinal problems, that was traced back to the outbreak. The long-term study followed nearly 600 individuals who recovered from the infection and compared their health with people who had not been infected. At the 10-year mark, 43 percent of the exposed individuals had developed IBS, compared with just 14 percent of those who had not been affected. CFS was reported in 26 percent of the infected group, compared with 11 percent of the others.

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How Lifestyle And Diet Can Cause Constipation

If youre constipated, your gut might simply be in sharp disagreement with your lifestyle. Poor diet and lack of physical activity are the most common causes of constipation, so its a good idea to rule these out first before looking into other causes.

Here are some diet- and lifestyle-related factors that can make you constipated:

• a diet heavy in meat and dairy products
• a diet heavy in processed foods, which are high in fat and sugar
• lack of high-fiber foods
• not enough water and other fluids
• too much alcohol or caffeine
• lack of exercise
• ignoring the urge to use the bathroom

Make a few changes to your lifestyle and see if they result in any positive bowel changes. For example:

• Include more high-fiber foods in your meals: fruits, vegetables, whole grains.
• Take a fiber supplement along with a tall glass of water each day.
• Do some form of physical activity for 30 minutes each day, even if its just a long walk.
• Use the bathroom as soon as you have the urge.
• Avoid alcohol and caffeine.

Whats The Connection Between Nausea And Constipation

When your colon isnt working properly, it throws your entire gastrointestinal tract off-balance. As a result, a buildup of stools in your intestinal tract creates a feeling of uneasiness or queasiness in your stomach.

Your bowel plays a role in your bodys detoxification process. When it takes longer than normal for food to move through your colon, this causes a buildup of toxins in your body. Its these toxins that cause the sensation of nausea.

Also, constipation can lead to stomach distention and bloating, which occurs the longer stools remain in your colon. This triggers an increase of bacteria in you colon, prompting a nauseous feeling.

Depending on the severity of constipation, you may also experience loss of appetite and begin skipping meals. Some people become nauseous when their stomach is empty.

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Next Steps To Treat Constipation

If youre experiencing any of these symptoms, in addition to being constipated, contact your doctor. They might recommend some over-the-counter constipation relief measures to get you back to feeling normal. If those treatments dont solve the problem, your doctor may test you for other digestive health issues. Learn more about the signs and symptoms of constipation.

What Strategies Can I Use To Relieve Constipation

So, there you go – the side of effects of constipation on the body are B.A.D. news! And if you have any of these constipation dangers signs and symptoms, it has to go for you to enjoy good health and perfect poops in the future. As always, it is really important that you seek the root cause of your constipation, but in the meantime, if you want sure-fire strategies to help you clear out chronic constipation and get on top of some of these nasty side-effects, check out my free eGuide: CHRONIC CONSTIPATION CLEAR-OUT eGUIDE .

Discover four strategies guaranteed to get things moving when everything else fails, including:> My number 1 go-to breakfast smoothie for keeping bowel habits regular> The quick-fix protocol to achieve a needed bowel movement within 24 hours> 4 must-try supplements, and my favourite brands, that wont waste your money> Everything you need to know about a detoxing C Flush to have you feeling less bloated and toxic

These strategies are more than the usual, basic recommendations of clean up the diet, drink more water or do more exercise. These are clinical techniques that we use with our clients who have been struggling for years and they work!!

Happy pooping!

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Effects Of Constipation On Weight Gain

Yes, a buildup of poop can add a few extra kilos – anyone who has done colonic irrigation or an enema can attest to that… But what about real weight, the fat storage kind? Yes, that too. Science is just starting to understand how a dysbiosis of intestinal flora can cause weight gain and obesity – but the link is definitely there . Hormone imbalances, particularly those relating to oestrogen have also been linked with obesity . So, not clearing those excess estrogens and having them reabsorbed back into your system might not be so good for your waistline.

Tips To Manage Stress And Your Emotions

You can do some things to keep your emotions on a more even keel:

Add activity. Go for a walk, a swim, a bike ride … any kind of movement that you enjoy. Exercise helps you release stress and feel better. It may also help with your bowel movements.

Connect and share. Talk to friends or family members about what’s going on in your life. The stronger your social ties, the better.

Spark joy. Find activities that appeal to you, like gardening, walking in the park, or artwork. Make time for your hobbies. Theyâre a key part of a rewarding life.

Get mindful. Meditation, yoga, and prayer may help ease your stress. Meditation is something anyone can do by putting your attention on something for a few minutes a couple of times a day. Your mind will wander. That’s OK. Just gently return your attention to your breathing.

Know when to get help. If your quality of life or emotions are taking a hit, and lifestyle changes donât help enough, tell your doctor. Theyâll ask you some questions about how much or how you feel stressed, sad, or unable to enjoy your normal activities.

If your doctor thinks you might have anxiety or depression, they may refer you to a therapist. It’s important to take care of your mind and emotions, as well as your body.

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What Does Constipation Feel Like

Constipation can happen due to one or more breakdowns of the expected pathway where stool is excreted.

These can include slow-moving stool, hard stools, or experiencing a problem with the muscles and nerves needed to pass a bowel movement.

As a result, constipation can feel like many symptoms. Examples include:

• fullness in the stomach or pelvic region
• cramping of the bowels
• aching feeling in the back

Sometimes its difficult to distinguish between discomfort in your stomach and intestines. You might feel cramping or bloating in your intestines that pushes upward on your stomach.

As a result, you could feel stomach discomfort while the area of constipation is really in your intestines.

Sometimes constipation can be a medical emergency.

Fiber And Regular Bowel Movements

There are different types and classifications of dietary fiber, starting with soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber absorbs liquid, creating a gel-like texture that improves the consistency of your stool and helps it glide through the colon. Insoluble fiber adds bulk to your stool that helps the muscles of your gut lining to drive the stool towards the exit.

Within the insoluble and soluble fiber groups, there are actually over a dozen different subcategories of fibers. Several of them provide nourishment to gut bacteria in your intestine that support gut health by helping the intestinal lining to work optimally.

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