Can You Be Constipated and Still Poop?
Constipation is one of the most common problems among the population. There are many reasons why some people cannot push their poop out. They may suffer from hemorrhoids or other kinds of blockages in their intestines which prevent them from pushing out their waste. Some people experience pain while doing it, others do not even want to try because they think it will hurt them.
Some people may suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) which causes them to avoid going to the bathroom at all. IBS is characterized by abdominal discomfort, bloating, cramping and diarrhea.
People with IBS may also have difficulty passing stool due to the tightness of their muscles. If these symptoms persist for long periods of time then it becomes an emergency requiring medical attention.
How Do You Know if You Have Constipation?
There are several ways to determine whether you have constipation or not. These include:
Do you get very uncomfortable while trying to go to the bathroom? Do you feel like your bowels are being held back? Are there any painful feelings while passing stools? Does it take longer than usual for you to pass stools? Is it difficult for you to push out the waste after having done so once before without issue?
If you answered yes to any of these questions then it is likely that you suffer from constipation. You should try to get relief for these symptoms by doing the following:
Ensure that you drink enough water every day as dehydration can lead to issues with the digestive system and cause constipation.
Consume fiber rich foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole-grains and pulses.
Exercise regularly to keep your bowels in a regular pattern.
Do Kegel exercises to strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor.
If you have had your bowels analyzed and were told that you do not have constipation then there may be an underlying condition causing it. You should see a doctor to get relief from your symptoms and resolve the problem altogether.
How Can You Get Relief From Constipation?
There are many ways that you can try to get relief from your constipation. You may not want to try all of these techniques at once as you may find that some of them do not agree with you. Try one way at a time until your symptoms improve before trying another approach.
You should start by drinking more water and eating more fiber to help with the constipation. One of the most common reasons for constipation is dehydration.
Even if you are drinking enough water, you may not be drinking enough to help with the constipation. Drinking water helps to lubricate the waste as it passes through your digestive tract, adding to the bulk as it were and making it easier to pass.
Eating more fiber is another way that you can get relief from your symptoms. Fiber will add bulk to your stool and make it easier to pass without discomfort.
You can try eating food that already has high fiber content such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains and pulses. Taking a daily fiber supplement can also help if you find that you are not getting enough fiber in your diet.
Exercise is another way that you can get relief from your symptoms. A weak pelvic floor can cause difficulties with passing stools and lead to the other symptoms of constipation.
Regular exercise will strengthen the muscles involved in this process and keep everything functioning properly. Kegel exercises are a great way to do this.
Always remember that medication is not the only way to treat your constipation. Do not be afraid to try the natural approaches first before resorting to laxatives and other drugs.
Does IBS Cause Constipation?
While constipation can be a symptom of IBS, it is important to note that it does not cause constipation in everyone that has it. Each person that suffers from IBS will experience a different combination of symptoms and everyone’s case is different. While constipation may be a factor for some people, it may not be for others.
What Can I Do To Prevent Constipation?
There are some things that you can do in your day-to-day life to prevent constipation from occurring.
Eat a balanced diet rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables and water to keep your digestive system healthy.
Get plenty of exercise to keep your muscles functioning smoothly.
Drink plenty of water each day to keep everything functioning smoothly.
Adding more fiber to your diet will help the stools pass more easily and result in less strain during a bowel movement. Try adding more fresh fruit, vegetables, pulses and whole grains to your diet.
You can also try taking a daily fiber supplement to ensure that you are getting enough in your diet.
When suffering from constipation, it is best not to strain yourself. When you feel the urge to have a bowel movement, go to the bathroom as soon as possible and try relaxing your muscles and taking things slowly rather than straining to force it out.
Always remember that medication should be a last resort and that there are natural ways that you can alleviate your symptoms. Only you know your body best so it is up to you to determine what works for you and what doesn’t.
Always remember that the symptoms of IBS can often be managed effectively so that you can live a normal life, and even prevent future problems with proper treatment and self-help methods.
Does IBS Cause Diarrhea?
While many people suffer from the symptoms of diarrhea, they don’t actually have IBS. Diarrhea is a symptom of IBS and it is one of the most common among those that have been diagnosed with it.
If you have diarrhea as a result of an IBS infection, this means that your intestines are working overtime to remove waste from your body and cannot do their normal work of reabsorbing water.
This leads to a loose stool or even a watery one.
The membranes that line your intestines are unable to hold waste or water in so it is passed out in the form of diarrhea. The more waste that your body is trying to pass, the more dehydrated you will become.
It is important to keep in mind that everyone suffers from diarrhea at some point in their life and it does not necessarily mean that you have IBS. However, if you have had diarrhea on a regular basis for at least six months then this is classed as IBS diarrhea.
It is important to keep track of the times when your intestines cause diarrhea and how long for. Recording your symptoms as well as keeping a food diary will help you to be able to tell your doctor what is going on and help with the process of diagnosing you.
What Can Be Done To Manage IBS?
Managing your IBS doesn’t just mean live with the symptoms and taking medication whenever you feel an attack coming on, there are many other things that you can do.
Dietary Changes
When your intestines are functioning at less than their best, changing your diet can help to alleviate some of its problems.
It is very important to stick to a low-fiber diet as this can help to keep stools regular and prevent them from becoming watery. Foods such as fruit, vegetables and whole-grains should be avoided as these contain high levels of fiber.
You should also eat more foods that are high in fat as these help to keep things moving through your intestines.
Drink plenty of water every day and try to eat smaller meals more often rather than three large ones as this can help to prevent your stools from becoming too dry and difficult to pass.
Sources & references used in this article:
It’s all about poop by N Dutt – ayurvedicscience.com
IT’S ALL ABOUT POOP by N Dutt – ayurvedicscience.com
Treatment for Children’s Constipation without Miralax by E Krumbeck, D Dalili – mtwholehealth.com
Cosleeping in the Media: They’re Still at It by B MATTERS, B POOP – babyreference.com
Can’t Poop, Can’t Pee… What’s Going On With Me? by D Praeger – 2007 – Feral House
