Constipation can be painful, aggravating, and embarrassing to talk about. Though children and the elderly suffer the most frequently from this problem, knowing how to recognize symptoms is important for everyone.

Individuals affected by constipation should learn about prevention for the future, as well as when to get the doctor involved. Most individuals suffering from constipation need only make small lifestyle changes. For an unfortunate few, the problem may indicate a more serious condition; but that's no reason to worry. Everyone suffers from constipation at one time or another.

Symptoms of Constipation

The symptoms of constipation are easy to recognize. Bowel movements will become less frequent and more difficult as the condition progresses. Having less than three bowel movements per week is the first symptom. Stools become extremely hard after three days, which make passing waste even more challenging.

Straining during evacuation is another symptom of constipation. Sufferers might find themselves taking more than one trip to the bathroom during short periods of time. This is an issue because proper bowl movements should only require one try. Abdominal swelling, cramps, vomiting and hardened stools are h sure signs of constipation.

Finding the Cause

Constipation can be caused by numerous factors, including diet and certain medical conditions. If you've felt constipated recently, consider what changes may be responsible; finding the cause is the first step to finding the cure. Consider any new medication you've been taking. Make sure you've been getting enough exercise and that you haven't felt too stressed out lately.

Also think about your recent diet changes and water intake. Physical and neurological conditions are the most serious possible causes of constipation. These might require special treatment. However, for the majority of sufferers, there are plenty of ways to stop this problem without seeking medical attention.

Changes in Routine

One possible cause of constipation is changes in routine. If your schedule has become hectic lately, stress may be causing the problem. Stress affects digestion patterns and drives some people to make different lifestyle choices. Instead of eating healthy and staying hydrated, sufferers to skip meals, allowing themselves more time to work.

Traveling can also have adverse effects on the body. Diet and stress levels change during travel. In addition, airplane passengers have to sit still for long periods of time, and lack of exercise can cause constipation. Work out at least 30 minutes a day to relieve stress and keep your digestive system healthy.

Choices in Diet

Poor diet is one of the most widespread causes of constipation. One fairly common mistake is eating too many servings of dairy. Lack of dietary fiber and dehydration will also have a negative impact on the body. On the upside, poor diet choices can easily be changed. Start by keeping water near you at all times to make sure you drink at least 64 ounces daily.

Having warm liquids for breakfast will help too. Throughout the day, eat more fruits and vegetables, and consume fiber-rich foods. Bran cereal, whole wheat pasta, dry brown rice, barley, spinach, figs, prunes, almonds, cherries, and raspberries all contain plenty of fiber to cure constipation.

Medication and Side Effects

Well over 1,000 medications have "constipation" listed as a possible side effect. Pain medicines are some of the worst culprits. Narcotics, antidepressants, iron pills, and even antacids can contribute to constipation. Medicines containing calcium or aluminum have been known to affect the digestive process. Laxatives can even do damage; taking stool softeners for more than two weeks straight will promote bowel muscle weakness.
Then again, sometimes the problem is not medicine at all. People who ignore the urge to have bowel movements experience quite the undesirable side effect. They actually lose the ability to feel the urge at all, and this leads to constipation.

Numerous mental, medical, metabolic, and systemic conditions can cause constipation. These include eating disorders, depression, IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), and colon cancer. Colon cancer needs to be detected early or it will become fatal. Metabolic and endocrine conditions that promote constipation include diabetes, uremia, hypocalcaemia and hypothyroidism.

Systemic disorders like lupus and scleroderma could be the cause. Also consider neurological disorders like Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis and those created by spinal cord injuries. If you suffer from none of these conditions, barriers (e..g, scar tissue, tumors, hemorrhoids) may be obstructing the colon.

Constipation and Pregnancy

During pregnancy, the uterus expands near the intestines and certain hormones relax the intestinal muscles. This causes waste to pass through the digestive system slower than usual. Iron pills can make this problem worse. After trying to solve the problem by drinking more water, some pregnant women even switch to different brands of iron pills -- after consulting with their doctors, of course.
Keep in mind that anxiety and lack of exercise aggravate constipation, especially during pregnancy. Pregnant women should be getting enough exercise, finding ways to relax, remaining stress-free, drinking more than enough water, and eating a fiber-rich diet.

There are times when constipation doesn't call for concern, and then there are times when you should see the doctor as soon as possible. Schedule an appointment if your constipation lasts more than two weeks; you find blood in your stool; you feel severe pain during evacuation; or you start losing weight for no apparent reason.

Select procedures will help the doctor diagnose the problem. You might have your blood tested for hormonal imbalance, or barium studies could be performed (i.e., radiography of your digestive tract using barium sulfate). On the other hand, you may need to receive an invasive colonoscopy, so make sure you're prepared for anything.

Preventing Constipation

A healthy lifestyle is crucial to preventing constipation. While some conditions may make it difficult to avoid, most cases can be prevented with very little effort. Exercise for at least half an hour each day, even if you're just walking around the neighborhood.

Eat soup or drink hot tea in the morning; warm liquids help cure constipation and so do fiber-rich foods. Keep your kitchen stocked with whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and bran cereal. You might also use a mild stool softener like Milk of Magnesia, but for no more than two weeks. That would just worsen your symptoms! Fortunately, when the right measures are taken, constipation can be cured in no time.