Common Causes of Constipation

For most people, constipation can be traced to a few common causes such as how much fiber are they eating, their fluid intake, use of certain medications, avoiding going to the bathroom or how much of physical activity are they getting.

Dehydration Can Keep Things From Flowing

One of the colon’s main functions is to absorb excess water from the waste once it has moved through the small intestine.  When we don’t drink enough fluids, the body tries to conserve water in the blood by removing additional water from the stool.  Stools that contain less water are difficult to pass. If you’re thirsty, your body is telling you to drink up. And, if you notice dark colored urine, that’s also a sign that it’s well past time to rehydrate.

Medications

Some medicines that doctors prescribe to treat other health problems may cause constipation.  Check with your doctor first to see if you are taking any medicines that may cause constipation.

Holding It In

Sometimes we put off going to the bathroom when it doesn’t quite fit our schedule. But habitually ignoring the urge to pass a bowel movement can lead to constipation.

Additionally, other medical conditions such as stroke, diabetes, intestinal blockage, or low thyroid hormones as well as problems with the colon may also contribute to constipation.