CONSTIPATION
Everyone have different habits in emptying their bowels, which may vary from three times a day to three times a week. What may be normal to a person may not be normal to others. Most times, constipation is temporary and not serious.
Constipation occurs when you:
- Empty your bowel less than three time a week.
- Pass hard or pellet-like stools frequently.
- Have difficulty or need to strain to empty your bowels.
- Feel discomfort and distension in your abdomen.
- Experience changes in your daily bowel habits.
Some of the common causes of constipation are:
- Inadequate intake of water.
- Low fibre or high fat diet.
- Insufficient physical activity.
- Changes in life or routine such as pregnancy, ageing and travel.
- Ignoring the urge to empty your bowels.
- Abuse of Laxatives.
- Depression.
- Stress
Constipation also often occurs amongst the elderly. Amongst children, it can occur if the child is scared or refuses to use the toilet.
What should you do to avoid constipation?
- Eat at the right time - Have a well-balanced, high-fibre diet that includes wholes meal bread, fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Reduce eating foods that contain high fat or sugar and diary products.
- Drink 8 to 10 glasses of water everyday.
- Do not ignore the urge to empty your bowels.
- Increase your physical activity.
- Do not rely on drugs to help overcome your constipation as they can only help for a short period of time.
See the doctor when:
- You have not experienced constipation before and the cause is unknown.
- Your bowel habit changes.
- Constipation occurs more than 7 days even though measures to avoid constipation have been taken.
- You have severe abdominal pain.
- Stools noticeably becomes bloody.
(Reference: moh)
