What Does It Mean To Be Constipated

Signs You Are Emotionally Constipated

Its a familiar scene. The plane lands and smart phones are changed from airplane mode as passengers get a fix of social media, email or text movies are often interrupted by the light of a smart phone and family time becomes a euphemism for being alone, together. Its not just our down time or travel routines that are suffering from this digital addiction. Our expectation of instant personal gratification means we have become less patient and less aware of each others personal boundaries. For example, studies show that we are have become so mind-blind to the implications of our own actions that we frequently interrupt, and are frequently interrupted by others at work on average every 3 minutes. Creating disruption, chronic deficits in attention and millions of dollars in lost productivity.

Distracted adults grow irritable when their phone use is interrupted they not only miss emotional cues but actually misread them.

What The Patient Can Do

• Ask your cancer care team to help you set up a daily bowel care plan. They might suggest over-the-counter products such as stool softeners or fiber supplements.
• Try to eat at the same times each day. If possible, try to move your bowels at the same time every day.
• Keep track of bowel movements so that problems can be noticed quickly.
• If it’s ok with your cancer care team, eat more high-fiber foods every day, such as whole-grain breads and cereals fresh raw fruits with skins and seeds fresh raw vegetables fruit juices and dates, apricots, raisins, prunes, prune juice, and nuts.
• Drink more fluids. Pasteurized fruit juices and warm or hot fluids in the morning may be helpful.
• Get as much exercise as possible.
• Go to the bathroom as soon there is an urge.
• Avoid foods and drinks that cause gas, such as apples, avocados, beans and peas, cabbage, broccoli, milk, and fizzy drinks, until the constipation is gone.
• Avoid chewing gum and using straws to drink. Using them can also cause gas.
• Avoid or cut back on any foods that may cause constipation, such as cheese or eggs..
• Do not use enemas or suppositories. Always ask your cancer team before using stool softeners or laxatives.
• If your cancer care team gives you a prescription medicine, follow the directions carefully.

Abdomen Massage For Relief From Being Constipated

Massaging your abdomen can be incredibly helpful in instant relief of pain, bloating and constipation without needing to use medicine. You are essentially loosening stool and relaxing your colon. It is best to do this as needed and gently. There will be little benefit if you use too much pressure, causing more pain to your already uncomfortable feeling form being constipated.The best and fast way to massage your abdomen to stimulate movement and allow you to poop fast is to use your two index fingers1. Massage around your belly button area with your two index fingers in a small circular motion.2. Next you want to use medium circular motion massaging, starting down by your hips and move upwards towards your rib cage. This will loosen up the harder poop. Use this massage technique now for fast results, or reference the link below for more detailed instructions on how to achieve an effective abdomen massage for quick constipation relief without the use of medicine.If you have more severe pain and cannot poop, you can always alternate between massaging and adding a heat pack to your abdomen over clothing to help you poop fast.

A post shared by on Mar 30, 2014 at 10:24pm PDT

Recommended Reading: Align Probiotic Prebiotic

When Should I Call My Doctor

Also, make the call if:

• Constipation is a new problem for you and lifestyle changes havenât helped.
• You have blood in your stool.
• Youâre losing weight even though youâre not trying to.
• You have severe pain with bowel movements.
• Your constipation has lasted more than 2 weeks.
• The size, shape, and consistency of your stool has changed dramatically.

Your doctor may recommend some tests to find the cause of your constipation:

• Blood tests to check on hormone levels
• Tests that check the muscles in your anus
• Tests that show how waste moves through and out of your colon
• Colonoscopy to look for blockages in your colon

What Does It Mean To Have Chronic Constipation

Constipation means something slightly different to each person. To some, constipation means having infrequent bowel movements. To others, it means having difficult-to-pass or hard stools that cause straining. Still, others might define constipation as having a feeling of incomplete emptying of their bowel after a bowel movement.

The main difference between chronic and acute constipation is how long the constipation lasts.

In general, acute or short-term constipation is:

• infrequent, lasting only a few days
• brought on by a change in diet or routine, travel, lack of exercise, illness, or a medication
• relieved by over-the-counter laxatives, exercise, or a high-fiber diet

On the other hand, chronic constipation is:

• long-term, lasting for more than three months and sometimes even continuing for years
• disruptive to a persons personal or work life
• not relieved by a change in diet or exercise, so requires medical attention or prescription medications

Constipation is one of the most common chronic gastrointestinal disorders in adults. In the United States, more than 2.5 million people visit their doctor each year for constipation. Annually, Americans spend nearly $800 million on laxatives to treat constipation.

The following people are at a higher risk of experiencing chronic constipation:

• females

• anti-diarrheal agents
• antihistamines

You May Like: Xanax For Stomach Pain

Taking Magnesium When You Are Constipated For Relief

Magnesium is an important mineral the body needs to function properly. Magnesium is naturally occurring in foods, but often times we do not eat enough of the mineral in food form so we need to supplement extra with it. Lack of magnesium can cause poop consistency to be irregular.Magnesium is great for- fast release of tension- fast activating of important enzymes- fast aiding in organ functions- regulating zinc, copper, vit D, potassium and calcium- fast improvement bowel movement regularity- aiding in the movement of poop as a laxativeNot all forms of magnesium have laxative properties, so it important to be mindful of the one you are planning on taking so you can poop fast. Continue reading for the best forms for constipation.While it is noted that magnesium can work fast, take into consideration that you may not notice the results as fast as you like either depending on how depleted your body is of the mineral. If you are not deficient in magnesium you will poop fast. If you are more deficient you may not poop fast because your body needs to build it up more in its system.

Does Not Having Regular Bowel Movements Cause Toxins To Build Up In My Body And Make Me Sick

Dont worry, this usually isnt the case. Although your colon holds on to stool longer when you are constipated and you may feel uncomfortable, the colon is an expandable container for your waste. There is possibly a slight risk of a bacterial infection if waste gets into an existing wound in the colon or rectum.

Also Check: Sickness And Diarrhoea In Pregnancy 3rd Trimester

Can There Be Any Complications From Constipation

Short-term constipation or intermittent bouts of constipation are unlikely to cause any long-term problems. Sometimes a split or tear in the anal skin can occur with the passage of particularly big or hard stools . This is very painful and there may be a small amount of fresh red blood on the toilet paper. Treatment and more information are covered in the separate leaflet called Anal Fissure.

Long-term or persisting constipation and long-term use of laxatives can result in your bowel becoming sluggish and ‘lazy’. This means that the bowel doesn’t work very well on its own, without medication. Constipation then becomes a vicious cycle and even more chronic. Try to avoid getting into this situation in the first place by using laxatives for short periods of time only. Consult your GP for advice if you are needing them regularly. Some people with persistent and severe constipation do require regular laxatives.

In order to treat impaction, higher doses of laxatives need to be used, and sometimes enemas or suppositories. Temporarily, symptoms of diarrhoea may worsen but it is important to keep up with treatment, to clear the blockage. After the large mass of faeces is cleared, laxatives are often needed for a while to prevent the problem recurring.

Non Specific Stool Change

There are many factors affecting the appearance of someone’s stools. Often a variation in stool color and/or consistency is caused by food or medicines. Leafy greens and certain vegetables like spinach and kale can make stool look green. Iron supplements and medicines containing bismuth like Pepto-bismol can turn stools black. It looks like your stool change is probably a variation of normal.

Rarity: Common

Top Symptoms: black stool, green poop, dark brown stool, red stool

Symptoms that never occur with non specific stool change: tarry stool, weight loss, rectal bleeding, fever

Urgency: Wait and watch

Irritable bowel syndrome is a chronic disorder of the large intestine. It is characterized by recurrent abdominal pain and bowel movement issues that can be difficult to treat. Signs and symptoms of IBS are usually not severe or life-threateni…

You May Like: Can Tramadol Make You Constipated

Why Do People Take Fiber

A number of studies have found that a high intake of total fiber, from foods and supplements, lowers the risk of heart disease. High-fiber diets have also been associated with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes.

Insoluble fiber adds bulk to stools. It helps treat constipation and diverticular disease and may benefit people with some types of IBS . Recent research has shown that increased fiber is also linked to increased survival in people with colon cancer.

Soluble fiber seems to lower cholesterol levels. It binds with cholesterol in the intestines and prevents it from being absorbed. Soluble fiber may also be useful in treating diabetes and insulin resistance . It can slow the absorption of carbohydrates, helping to improve blood sugar levels.

Since fiber is filling and has very few calories, high-fiber foods may also help with weight loss.

Small Bowel Movements Causes

Posted by Dr. Chris

Normal bowel habit means passing stool anywhere between three times a day to three times a week. More frequent or infrequent defecation may be classified as diarrhea or constipation, respectively. However, the volume of stool as well as the shape and size of the stool is not often taken into consideration. Sometimes the stool volume may be large or the stool itself may be big, while at other times the volume can be small.

Recommended Reading: Does Tramadol Make You Constipated

Eat Foods That Contain Plenty Of Fibre

Fibre is the part of plant food that is not digested. Fibre adds bulk and some softness to the stools. Increasing the fibre in your diet may take a few days or even a few weeks to work. You may find that if you eat more fibre, you may have some bloating and wind at first. As your gut becomes used to extra fibre, the bloating or wind tends to settle. So if you are not used to a high-fibre diet, it is best to increase the amount of fibre gradually. Aim for 30 g of fibre per day. Remember to drink plenty when you increase the fibre in your diet. Rarely, the guts can develop a blockage if too much fibre is eaten without enough fluid.

See the separate leaflet called Fibre and Fibre Supplements for more details, including information on soluble and insoluble fibre.

Black Americans And Constipation

Though recent demographic research on constipation is hard to come by, a widely cited study of data from a survey of more than 15,000 people found that constipation was more frequent in Black Americans than in white Americans, with 17.3 percent of Black Americans reporting the condition compared with 12.2 percent of white Americans. According to the authors of a study published in Quality of Life Research, constipation may be almost three times more prevalent in nonwhite individuals compared with white individuals. Yet, the authors point out, Black individuals are underrepresented in trials for constipation treatments.

Read Also: Can Turmeric Give You Diarrhea

Props That You Might Have On Hand To Help You Poop

You can use different props to accomplish the ideal poop position. One brand that is known for helping achieve the squatting position is the Squatty Potty, but what do you do if you do not have time or access to one when you need it to help you poop fast?All you need to do is search around your house fast for a raised box of some sort to help you get in the right position to poop better.Some examples of what you can look for are * baskets* bins* books stacked * Two bowls flipped upside down on either side of the toilet for your feet to rest onYou can get creative by using what you find around your house fast to save money and get fast relief from being constipated.

A post shared by Leanna Murphey Haye on Apr 7, 2018 at 12:45pm PDT

How Can I Prevent Constipation

Use the same home-based methods you used to treat constipation to prevent it from becoming a chronic problem:

• Eat a well-balanced diet with plenty of fiber. Good sources of fiber are fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole-grain breads and cereals. Fiber and water help the colon pass stool. Most of the fiber in fruits is found in the skins, such as in apples. Fruits with seeds you can eat, like strawberries, have the most fiber. Bran is a great source of fiber. Eat bran cereal or add bran cereal to other foods, like soup and yogurt. People with constipation should eat between 18 and 30 grams of fiber every day.
• Drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day. Liquids that contain caffeine, such as coffee and soft drinks, can dehydrate you. You may need to stop drinking these products until your bowel habits return to normal.
• Exercise regularly.
• Treat mild constipation with a dietary supplement like magnesium.
• Move your bowels when you feel the urge. Do not wait.

Also Check: What Does It Mean When You Keep Having Heartburn

How To Use It: For Fast Results

There are oral solutions and capsules of magnesium citrate, but for constipation the best form to help you poop and get instant relief would be the oral solutions. This is the best way to get fast results.For adults, ages 12 and up, take an oral citrate of a dose 195-300 ml either at once or split up with a full glass of water.

A post shared by ChaseLifeTribe on Apr 4, 2018 at 12:52pm PDT

Dark Brown Stool In Children

Dark brown stool in children should be monitored.

Constipation in children is often due to not getting enough fiber-rich fruits and vegetables, dehydration, and/or behavioral factors, such as a desire for control or holding stool out of fear of using the toilet or not wanting to stop playing. This can be a problem in young children, especially those who were toilet trained recently.

Children often complain of abdominal pain or pain when trying to pass a stool. The best treatment is prevention. Provide a high-fiber diet and lots of water and other liquids. It can also help to encourage a bathroom routine.

If your child still has trouble with passing a stool or complains about pain while using the toilet, see a doctor. Never start a new medication, even an over-the-counter medication, without first discussing this with your childs pediatrician. This is particularly true with laxatives. Sometimes constipation is due to an underlying problem that should be addressed first.

Also Check: Why Does Lettuce Give Me Diarrhea

Hydrate In Order To Poop Fast Learn How To Do It

Water is essential in preventing and relieving constipation fast. Ultimately constipation is caused by dehydration of poop in the colon, meaning it needs to have water to loosen and soften up the stool in your intestines.I am sure it is difficult to remember to drink water, especially with busy lives and the habit many of us have of drinking coffee first thin in the morning instead.Try to remember to drink water before your morning cup of coffee or tea to set your colon up for fast success! If you do not like the flavor, or lack of flavor, in water tryout some of the water flavoring tips next that will help you hydrate fast!

A post shared by Another Space on Apr 11, 2018 at 8:12pm PDT

What Are Complications Of Constipation

Constipation can cause complications, such as hemorrhoids, which occur by straining to have a bowel movement, or anal fissures which occur when hard stool stretches the sphincter muscle. This can result in rectal bleeding.

Sometimes, straining also causes rectal prolapse, where a small amount of intestinal lining pushes out from the anal opening. Constipation may also cause fecal impaction, which occurs mostly in children and older adults. The hard stool packs the intestine and rectum so tightly that the normal pushing action of the colon is not enough to expel the stool.

You May Like: Can Magnesium Citrate Cause Acid Reflux

Dream About Working Out Your Constipation

Another meaning associated with working out your constipation is – frustration over an event that has led to stress in your life. In order to get over this problem, find time out for yourself so as to unwind and relax from the rigours of everyday life.

In other cases, constipation dreams may also reflect feelings of guilt or regret from doing something wrong at work or not being able to fulfil a responsibility towards a loved one.