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Beauty & Health

10 Surprising Reasons Why You Can’t Poop (And How To Fix It!)

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Beauty & Health

10 Surprising Reasons Why You Can’t Poop (And How To Fix It!)

Feeling clogged up when you go to the toilet but can’t figure out why you can’t poop? We get to the bottom of this frustrating condition.

February 8, 2017

Finding it difficult to poop? You’re not alone. Constipation is a common digestive complaint that affects one in five people over 30. For most people, it involves hard, infrequent bowel motions that are difficult or painful to pass, abdominal bloating and cramps. Inadequate fibre, dehydration and a lack of exercise are common culprits, but there are some lesser-known causes too. Here we look at a few:

READ MORE:
The Number One Secret To Beat The Bloat
Massage This Body Part If You Have Constipation
5 Surprising Foods That Could Be Making You Constipated

https://www.womensweekly.com.sg/gallery/beauty-and-health/10-surprising-reasons-why-you-cant-poop-and-how-to-fix-it/
10 Surprising Reasons Why You Can't Poop (And How To Fix It!)
1. You've been travelling
image

Vacations can wreak havoc on your gastrointestinal health. Your bowel motions follow their own cicadian rhythm but when you travel (particularly across time zones) your bathroom routine is thrown off. To stay regular, eat high-fibre cereal, fruit and veggies whenever possible.

Photo: Pixabay
2. You work rotating shifts
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Working irregular hours can have the same effect as travelling. Researchers say your body’s internal clock encourages you to have a bowel movement with the first six hours of your day but shift work disrupts this rhythm. Avoiding caffeine and high-fat food may ease your condition.

Photo: Pixabay
3. You're taking painkillers
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Infrequent bowel motions and bloating are side effects of taking pain-relief medicine and you will need to take a laxative to help manage the constipation. Discuss your bowel movements with your doctor to get a recommended laxative that’s right for you.

(Read more: 10 Natural Food Cures For Different Types of Aches And Pains)

Photo: Pixabay
4. You're stressed or anxious
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Stress, anxiety and depression can cause constipation because the neurotransmitters that play a role in your mental health also affect your gut. Meditation, yoga or other forms of relaxation might help to get you back on track.

Photo: Pixabay
5. You have an underactive thyroid
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This condition is common in women but can go undetected. When you have an underactive thyroid, many of your body’s functions slow down, including the muscular activity in your bowel. If you have constipation and you’re constantly tired or you’re prone to getting cold hands and feet, get your thyroid checked.

Photo: Pixabay
6. You're taking certain supplements
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Some supplements that contain iron or calcium cause constipation. If your supplement is to blame, talk to your doctor about whether you really need them. But if the answer is yes, avoid taking extra-strength varieties.

(Read more: Top 13 Must Eat Fibre Rich Foods)

Photo: Pixabay
7. You have an undiagnosed diabetes condition
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High blood sugar levels, a complication of diabetes, can damage the nervous system. If the nerves controlling your digestive tract are impaired, you may be prone to constipation and sometimes alternating bouts of diarrhea. In many cases, proper blood sugar management is the best solution for regulating constipation in diabetics.

Photo: Pixabay
8. You're suffering from fibroids
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Uterine fibroids are growths that form in the muscle of your uterus. If a fibroid grows towards your back and places pressure on the bowel or rectum, it may cause discomfort and constipation. See your gynaecologist to rule out this out.

Photo: Pixabay
9. You may have a herpes infection
image

Early research show genital herpes may be linked with constipation. It’s possible the infection can spread from your genitals to your colon where it may cause complications. See your doctor immediately to seek treatment if you suspect you have an undetected herpes infection and always practice safe sex so you don’t spread the disease.

(Read more: 10 Questions You’re Too Embarrassed To Ask Your Gynaecologist)

Photo: Pixabay
10. You have a chronic condition
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If your constipation is persistent and accompanied by pain, head to a gastroenterologist. They may diagnose you with a digestive disorder like Irritable Bowl Syndrome (IBS). IBS is a very common disorder that can be either diarrhea predominant or constipation predominant. That can lead to chronic periods of time where you aren’t going to the bathroom normally.

(Text by Lindyl Crabb, bauersyndication.com.au / Additional Reporting by Natalya Molok)

Photo: Pixabay
  • TAGS:
  • bloated
  • constipated
  • constipation
  • cramps
  • Digestion
  • Health
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