Inside Your Health: Constipation Part 3

Inside Your Health: Constipation Part 3

What are the Causes of Constipation?

In fact, there are many causes of constipation. Unhealthy dietary habits (insufficient water and fibre), lack of exercise, stress and emotional issues, and poor bowel habits (holding back bowel movements) are common factors. Constipation can also be linked to drug side effects, medical conditions (such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, bowel disorders, and compression from gynaecological tumours), as well as structural or nerve function abnormalities, leading to excessive water absorption in the intestines, making stool hard and difficult to pass.

1. Diet and Lifestyle Habits

• Insufficient Fibre Intake: Eating too few vegetables, fruits, and whole grains results in low stool volume, which fails to stimulate bowel movements

• Inadequate Water Intake: Low fluid levels in the intestines lead to dry, hard stool

• Lack of Exercise: Slower bowel motility (peristalsis)

• Poor Bowel Habits: Frequently ignoring the urge to defecate or irregular bowel routines weaken the natural defecation reflex

• Stress and Emotions: Tension and anxiety directly impact gut function

• Changes in Daily Routine: Travel, jet lag, staying up late, etc

2. Diseases and Medications

• Medication Side Effects: Painkillers, antidepressants, etc

• Endocrine / Metabolic Disorders: Diabetes, hypothyroidism

• Intestinal Issues: Bowel obstruction, polyps, tumours, infections

• Nervous System Disorders: Parkinson's disease, nerve damage

• Gynaecological Issues: Uterine fibroids or ovarian cysts compressing the bowel

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

3. Defecation Dysfunction

• Outlet Obstruction Type: Poor muscle coordination during defecation

• Slow Transit Constipation: Abnormal nerve or muscle function slowing down movement

4. Female-Specific Considerations

• Fluctuations in female hormones (such as progesterone) make constipation more common during certain phases, such as the menstrual cycle