Top 15 Factors That Make You Prone to Constipation

You should be aware of the possible reasons for chronic constipation, which is defined as having less than three bowel movements per week, dry stools, or difficult-to-pass stools.

In fact, approximately 2.5 million Americans seek medical attention for this problem each year. Numerous factors, including stress, low-carb diets, and even fiber supplements, might cause this prevalent condition. 

Let's examine a few of the numerous potential causes of your constipation:

1. Depression
A common side effect of depression is gaining excess weight and becoming constipated. Your metabolism may slow down if you're depressed. Additionally, drugs used to address depression might also cause constipation.

Luckily, there are many non-pharmaceutical depression therapy methods available, some of which are just as good as medications and don't induce constipation. These include meditation, exercising regularly, breathing exercises, and cognitive-behavioral treatment.

2. Chocolate
If you have a serious everyday craving for sweet snacks, you should be aware that chocolate might cause constipation, but not everyone has this adverse effect.

Most of those who consume chocolate often claim that they get constipated as a result of doing so, despite the fact that researchers are still unsure of the precise explanation. Unless you try to cut chocolate entirely out of your diet for a while, there is no way to know for sure if it is the cause of your problem. If your constipation becomes better after two weeks of not consuming it, consider abstaining from it as much as possible.

3. Some multivitamin supplements
High calcium and iron content in vitamin supplements have been linked to severe constipation. Certain minerals, particularly at amounts over the daily recommended dose, might cause a delay in digestion in the large intestine. Iron supplements should only be used when prescribed by a doctor to individuals who are known to have a medical condition that calls for more iron, such as iron-deficit anemia.

4. Underlying problems
Persistent constipation can result from a variety of underlying illnesses, the most prevalent of which is hypothyroidism. Every system in your body, including the one in control of your digestion, slows to a crawl when your thyroid isn't functioning properly since it controls your metabolism.

Type 2 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, celiac disease, autoimmune disorders, and certain malignancies are other medical conditions that cause constipation.

The most crucial step is to identify the underlying problem and promptly address it. Since constipation is so widespread, the majority of individuals simply choose to ignore the issue.

Most of the time, it's not a major deal, but occasionally, it's a sign of a more significant issue. Ask your healthcare practitioner for a comprehensive medical checkup to screen for different conditions if your constipation occurs together with other symptoms or if it persists for more than a couple of months.

5. Pain relievers 
Pain relievers may cause constipation and in some circumstances, significant constipation, as anybody who has undergone surgery is well aware. However, this also holds true for opiate prescription drugs like hydrocodone and oxycontin. Constipation is another typical side effect of over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen and ibuprofen.

6. Specific medications
There is no denying that all drugs have unwanted side effects, and many of them can cause constipation. These include blood pressure meds, antidepressants (such as Prozac), anxiety medications, and treatments for heartburn. Consult your doctor about alternates if you think the medicine you're taking is to blame for your insufficient bowel movements.

7. Physical inactivity 
Both your digestive system and your waistline suffer from the modern sedentary lifestyle. Constipation is brought on by prolonged sitting, which slows down the function of your colon and makes it more challenging for feces to pass through. To counteract this negative effect, consider taking regular breaks to get up and move around. Walking and deep squats are two activities that are particularly effective for encouraging a bowel movement.

8. Fiber supplements
It might come as a shock, but eating too much fiber can make you constipated. Your gastrointestinal lining may become less sensitive to signals to evacuate if you consume too much fiber. This is particularly valid for individuals who consume significant amounts of fiber via supplements like tablets or powders rather than whole foods.

If you fall into this category, consider missing the fiber supplements and observe how your digestive system responds. Although fiber supplements are thought to be a healthy choice and a quick method to boost fiber consumption, the majority of them don't offer the same health advantages as a high-fiber diet.

9. Hormonal flanctuatuons 
As many pregnant women are aware, the digestive tract can be negatively impacted by hormones. The major causes of constipation are high levels of estrogen and progesterone or low amounts of testosterone.

While your pregnancy undoubtedly ends after nine months, it is preferable to treat the underlying cause of other hormone imbalances first.

10. Excessive consumption of dairy 
Constipation can have several causes, but one of the most common ones is consuming an excessive amount of dairy foods, particularly high-fat ones. The worst stomach irritant is cheese. For instance, eating a salad with pizza is generally not a good idea. Make sure to leave space in your stomach for foods that are high in fiber. Remember to get more fiber from meals rather than just supplements.

You can reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and several cancers like pancreatic, gastric, colon, and breast cancer by eating a diet packed with fiber.

11. Low-carb diet
One of the most common problems folks run into is while beginning a low-carb, high-protein diet. The amount of plant fiber in a diet heavy in meat, eggs, and fat is typically minimal.

Furthermore, because whole grains, fruits, and veggies are high in carbs, many individuals actively avoid them. Remember that not all carbs are created equal. Just concentrate on cutting out meals with a high glycemic index or that are processed quickly, such as white bread and sugary snacks.

12. Not drinking enough water 
Your inability to properly rehydrate your body may be the cause of your constipation. Drink enough water to maintain your normal bowel movements. To prevent constipation, try to drink eight glasses of water each day. But don't go overboard.

13. Overusing laxatives
The best course of action may seem to be to take a laxative if you are really constipated. However, this can make things worse for you. The use of laxatives needs to be limited to a week or less at most.

If you use laxatives for more than a week, you may get severe diarrhea or constipation due to intestinal issues. It is sometimes ideal to determine what causes constipation for you and fix it first before taking medicine for it.

14. Neurological diseases
Numerous neurodegenerative disorders, including Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis, are also linked to damage to the gastrointestinal tract's nerves, which can result in constipation. When a bowel movement is about to erupt, a person with such disorders might not be completely able to push. Due to this difficulty, the feces may solidify, which may lead to a colon blockage.

15. Micronutrient deficiencies
Thiamine deficiency, which can happen in certain individuals following gastrointestinal surgeries like bariatric surgery or in those who overindulge in alcohol, can manifest as constipation. Additionally, thiamine, generally known as vitamin B1, can cause chronic constipation in individuals who don't have enough of it in their diets.