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such as depression or an eating disorder. ● Ignoring the urge to defecate
Ignoring the urge to have a bowel
movement, may gradually drive the urge
away until people no longer feel the need to
go.
However, the longer the delay, the
drier and harder the stool will become,
increasing the risk of fecal impaction and
constipation.
● Changing medication
●Sudden change in eating habits
Causes
Constipation can happen with lifestyle
changes. For example, your bowel
movements can change
● If you’re expecting
Progesterone, the hormone elevated during
pregnancy, relaxes the intestines, or bowel,
so that they don’t work as hard to squeeze
waste out through your body. As the
intestines absorb the water from the waste,
it becomes dried out and hard to pass when
you try to poop. Certain health and nutrition problems can
● Ageing cause constipation
With age, the prevalence of constipation ● Not eating enough fibre- This is because
tends to increase. Up to 40% of older people fibrepromotes regular bowel movements,
in the community and up to 60% of those in especially when a person combines it with
institutions may experience constipation. proper hydration.
Though the exact cause of this remains ● Dehydration , not drinking enough
unclear, it’s possible that as with aging, liquids
food takes longer to pass through the ● Decreased physical activity
digestive tract. Many people also become ● Immobility - People who spend several
less mobile, which may also contribute to days or weeks in bed or sitting in a chair
constipation. Other causes may include may have a higher risk of constipation.
Medical issues, medications, and a low ● Celiac disease
intake of fibreor water. ●Neurological conditions: Multiple
● Long travels sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, stroke,
Travel changes a person’s routine. This can spinal cord injuries, and chronic
affect the digestive system. Eating meals, intestinal pseudo-obstruction can lead to
going to bed, and using the bathroom at constipation.
different times than usual could increase ● Metabolic diseases , such as diabetes
the risk of constipation. ● Conditions that involve hormonal
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