Constipation is one of the common issues that affect most adults worldwide. Women are twice as likely to be affected as men and the elderly are more likely to suffer than younger individuals. Studies have shown that taking probiotics help with constipation and help make your gut healthy.
What Causes Constipation?
Constipation is the difficult passage of stools that persists for several weeks or longer. It is generally described as having fewer than three bowel movements a week. Though constipation is very common, some people experience it that can interfere with their ability to go about their daily tasks. Constipation may also cause people to strain excessively to have a bowel movement. Treatment for the condition depends in part on the underlying cause. But, in some cases, a cause is never found.
There are many causes of constipation lifestyle choices, medications, medical conditions, and pregnancy.
Common lifestyle causes of constipation include:
- Eating foods low in fiber
- Not drinking enough water
- Not getting enough exercise
- Changes in your routine, such as traveling or eating, or going to bed at different times
- Eating large amounts of milk or cheese
- Stress
- Resisting the urge to have a bowel movement
Medications that can cause constipation include:
- Strong pain medicines, like narcotics containing codeine, oxycodone, and hydromorphone.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, like ibuprofen and naproxen
- Antidepressants, including the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
- Antacids containing calcium or aluminum
- Iron pills
- Allergy medications, such as antihistamines
- Certain blood pressure medicines, including calcium channel blockers and beta-blockers
- Psychiatric medications
- Anticonvulsant/seizure medications, such as phenytoin and gabapentin
- Antinausea medications
Medical and health conditions that can cause constipation include:
- Endocrine conditions, like underactive thyroid gland, diabetes, uremia, and hypercalcemia.
- Colorectal cancer
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Diverticular disease
- Outlet dysfunction constipation
- Neurologic disorders, including spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and stroke
- Lazy bowel syndrome
- Intestinal obstruction
- Structural defects in the digestive tract
- Multiple organ diseases, such as amyloidosis, lupus, and scleroderma
- Pregnancy
What Are The Symptoms Of Constipation?
Each person’s bowel habits are different. Some people go three times a day, while others go three times a week. However, you may be constipated if you experience the following symptoms:
- Fewer than three bowel movements a week
- Passing lumpy, hard, or dry stools
- Straining or pain during bowel movements
- A feeling of fullness, even after having a bowel movement
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) recommends seeking medical advice if symptoms don’t go away or if you notice the following:
- Pain in the lower back
- A feeling that gas is trapped
- Vomiting
- Bleeding from the rectum
- Blood in your stool
- Unexplained weight loss
- A sudden change in bowel movements
- Persistent abdominal pain
- Fever
A healthcare professional may carry out tests to rule out a more serious condition, such as colorectal cancer or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This may be considered chronic if you’ve experienced two or more of these symptoms for the last three months.
How Can Probiotics Help With Constipation?
Constipation is the occurrence of any or all of these symptoms:
- Having a hard or lumpy stool
- Feeling like you didn’t get everything out
- Passing stool less than three times per week
- Bowel movements that are painful or difficult to pass
Even occasional constipation can throw off the balance of your digestive system because fecal matter contains waste products including many species of pathogenic microorganisms. As it lingers in your colon, it can begin to alter the balance of your gut microbiota.
Probiotics, particularly the strains Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, populate your gut with beneficial bacteria which:
- Help the colon maintain a healthy lining of mucus to facilitate the process of defecation.
- Produce short-chain fatty acids in the colon. These lower the colon’s pH, and promote movement and the sensation “to go”.
- Metabolize bile acid salts which regulate the balance of neurotransmitters in the colon. This also helps increase peristalsis.
- Softens the consistency of stool, making them easier and less painful to pass.
