What is Constipation?
- Constipation is a common digestive disorder that affects individuals of all ages. It is characterized by restricted bowel movements – usually three or fewer bowel movements a week.
- As per recent studies, 24.0% of the study population had chronic constipation, and 39.6% had sub-chronic constipation. In most cases, constipation remains untreated until it reaches chronic stages. The main reason being the drastic changes in lifestyle with indulgence in junk food and low physical activity. Also, many people complain about constipation more during winters.
Causes of constipation
Constipation may be caused by several factors. Some of the common causes of constipation are listed below.
1) Not drinking adequate water is one of the leading causes of constipation and hard stool.
2) Fibre deficit in diet.
3) Overstressing is yet another reason.
4) Lack of exercise and a sedentary lifestyle.
5) Consuming certain medications or drugs like antacids, antidepressants, blood pressure medicines, antihistamines or a few others can adversely affect and cause constipation.
6) You should also not resist the urge of bowel movements to avoid constipation.Frequent travelling, irregular eating and sleeping patterns can tip the digestive system off balance, leading to constipation.
7) Constipation may be an issue among pregnant women who are perfectly healthy otherwise.
