How To Handle A Constipation Problem

By Charlie Michaels

Many people do not pay much attention to the necessity of bowel movement. This is very essential as this clears your body of waste material which if allowed to accumulate, could cause many complications. Hence, bowel movement must be regularized to at least once every day and many doctors recommend this. Of course it also depends on the kind of food that is being consumed by every individual.

Surprisingly enough, however, some people move their bowels once every three to five days. This leads to something called constipation - a condition that is directly linked to one's dietary habits. If you're constipated, there's definitely something wrong with your diet.

Constipation consists of several symptoms, the most essential being a person's inability to maintain regular bowel movements, which may lead to pain and bloating. In cases exceeding five days without movement, the large intestine may press against the bladder, creating the urge to urinate.

The large intestine absorbs any water content that may be present in the colon area and if a person does not clear his bowels everyday, there is a possibility of the faucal matter becoming completely dry and hard. This is bound to make excretion of the waste even more difficult. Medical attention should be given immediately in such cases.

Diet is the main culprit where constipation is concerned, which usually means that the sufferer is not getting enough fiber. White bread, cheese and meat, along with other overly processed foods, do not contain sufficient amounts of fiber. Some contain none.

The Atkins diet is a low-protein, low-carbohydrate diet that is also notoriously low in fiber. People who adopt the diet often have bowel movements only once or twice a week as a result of the nutrition they receive. Interestingly, fiber is indigestible plant matter that provides no calories, but simply acts a sort of "pipe cleaner" for the digestive system while also adding substance to the stool.

High-fiber foods include items like whole-grain flower, oatmeal and whole-wheat bread. Vegetables like broccoli, celery and lettuce are loaded with fiber, as are many fruits. Fruit fiber is found mainly in the skin, so remember to eat the skins of fruits like apples.

As constipation is a condition of the digestive system, it is clear that what "comes out" is a reflection of what goes in. Maintaining a diet that is high in fiber is the first step to insure you don't get to the point of constipation. If you find it difficult to reach your daily allotment through whole-grains and vegetables, there are a plenty of fiber-enriched snack foods and cereals at your local grocer. - 31875

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