When you hold in poop or when you are constipated, the stool stays in the colon and the water in the stool is reabsorbed in the body. Without water, stool in the colon is an unwanted guest because it can cause a lot of problems.
Regular bowel movement is considered to be one which happens on the daily. Constipated individuals tend to pass harder stool and need to push harder when they are pooping. What are the causes for chronic constipation? They are numerous, including poor diet, way of life, and disease.
One needs to drink sufficient amounts of water on the daily to encourage healthy bowel movements, up to 8 glasses per day or so. To be able to regulate your bowel movements, you need to improve your diet, that is, you need to consume enough fiber and get regular physical activity. Opt for more veggies, apples, and flaxseed.
The failure to pass poop on the daily can cause a lot of different problems, including haemorrhoids, headaches, breakouts, and more. If you want to learn more about why regular bowel movements matter, continue reading the article.
We will explain in detail about the most common side effects of irregular poop.
7 Ways in which Constipation Is Making You Sick
- Tiredness
When you feel tired and constipated, you may be having an underlying health issue. There are also cases when constipation can cause fatigue due to malnutrition.
Namely, when the colon begins to hold on to toxins, the body cannot absorb nutrients from the foods you eat. Consult your physician to learn more
- Bad breath
In a study done in Denmark, it was concluded that constipation can cause bad breath. 25 percent of the participants with bad breath also had constipation.
Though the reason for this connection is not clearly determined, the theory is that during constipation, there is higher number of bad gut bacteria and when they get to the mouth area, they trigger the release of unpleasant odour.
- Headaches
According to research, the accumulation of toxins because of constipation can trigger headaches. Constipation can also lead to headaches caused by stress, bloating, and feeling of fullness.
- Fecal incontinence
Involuntary passing of stool is known as fecal incontinence and it is linked with the loss of control in bowel movement. When there is a serious constipation, the ongoing straining can weaken the muscles in rectum and lead to nerve damage.
The faeces that are accumulated can stretch out the muscles in the colon.
- Impaction
The poop that doesn’t leave the body remains in the intestines and can trigger blockage. If the waste is too hard or too big, the squeezing of the large intestines for the removal may not suffice.
As a result, you may experience pain and vomiting and may need medical assistance. This complication is more common in children and elderly.
- Anal fissures
People with chronic constipation tend to strain a lot in order to pass stool. Consequently, their risk of tearing the anal tissue is higher. These tears are known as anal fissures and are painful and itchy and can bleed.
The symptoms of anal fissure may additional harden the removal of stool and thus, worsen the constipation. In less severe cases, the tears are very small; however, in more serious cases, there may be a need for medical therapy and even surgery.
- Haemorrhoids
When a person doesn’t poop regularly, they will strain more during bowel movements. And, the irregularity of the movements can lead to larger feces that may increase the chance for wear and tear.
The veins also stretch beyond their usual capacity and cannot maintain their shape and form. This may cause them to fall from the internal cavity and slip out of the anus. Haemorrhoids can cause bleeding and pain and discomfort.
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