Constipation is defined as the infrequent or painful passing of stools. Oftentimes a person suffering from constipation feels bloated or experienced discomfort in the abdominal area. There are many causes for constipation with the most common being lack of water or fiber, excess of protein in the diet, side effect from several medications, and a lack of exercise within the daily routine. The purpose of this article is to educate the reader to the most common causes of constipation as well as touching briefly on ways to avoid suffering from this problem.

Lack Of Water And Fiber In Diet

Not drinking enough water can lead to mild dehydration which can in turn cause constipation. Without the proper amount of water in diet the body is unable to process food and waste effectively. And without proper processing, bowel movements become hard and difficult to pass. If you do not prefer drinking lots of water, you can also obtain water from fruits and vegetables in your diet. The good thing about fruits and vegetables is that they also provide fiber to the body, which aids in the processing of food also. The necessity of water and fiber in your diet is the reason nutritionists recommend eating lots of vegetables and fruits and drinking plenty of water. The amount of water needed to maintain excellent health is much debated but most agree that six to eight glasses it the optimal amount.

Too Much Protein In Diet

While it is important to include protein in your diet, too much protein can be too difficult for your body to digest, which can lead to constipation.

Diets high in protein include:

large amounts of meat (beef, pork, poultry and fish)

dairy products

eggs

nuts

A healthy diet should consist mostly of vegetables and whole grains with small portions of protein added. If you are having difficulty with constipation, reducing your protein intake for a few days should help.

Side Effect Of Certain Medications

Certain drugs can include constipation as a side effect. If you have never suffered from constipation before, read the labels of all the medications you are currently taking and pay attention to whether constipation, sometimes called irregularity of bowel movements, is listed in the caution or side effects section. While it may not be advisable to stop taking a medication due to constipation, you can often find a natural solution to help with the constipation without interacting with your medications.

Lack Of Exercise/Movement Or Prolonged Bed Rest

People who do not get enough exercise in their day are more prone to constipation. Exercise helps the body work better and that includes digestion and processing waste. Constipation is also frequently seen in patients during prolonged periods of bed rest. Naturally patients who are unable to move around should seek alternative ways of combating their constipation but for the other people who suffer from difficulty having bowel movements, they simply need to move more, include exercise into their daily routine and they are sure to see an improvement in their constipation problems before long.