What causes constipation: foods and drinks that promote constipation

Constipation is a common pathology that can develop in people of any age. The person suffering from this symptom has a hard chair, which heavily comes out of the intestine. In order to effectively cope with this problem, it is important to determine exactly what causes constipation in each particular case.

The slower the food moves through the digestive tract, the more liquid is absorbed from it and the harder the stool becomes. Emptying the bowels( defecation) can become very painful, and in some severe cases signs of intestinal obstruction may even develop.

What causes constipation?

Constipation, as a rule, develops when fecal masses stay in the large intestine too long, which causes too much fluid to be absorbed from them. This makes the stool hard and dry.

Many cases of constipation are not caused by any specific disease, it is often difficult to identify the exact cause.

Foods that can cause constipation

Many people are interested in what foods cause constipation, because often the cause of this problem lies with the person on the plate - cheese, cottage cheese, meat, fried and fatty foods, eggs.

It is well known that people whose diet includes a sufficient amount of fiber, are much less likely to suffer from constipation. Foods that are poor in fiber contain, as a rule, a large amount of fat - their examples are cottage cheese, cheese, meat and eggs. If a person consumes them, he also needs to eat a lot of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, which are rich in fiber.

There are two main types of fiber - water-soluble and water-insoluble. Both are not digested in the intestines. However, water-soluble fiber is fermented by bacteria living in the digestive tract. It absorbs water and becomes gel-like. Simply put, fiber contributes to defecation and prevents the development of constipation. Therefore it is important to consume 20-35 grams of fiber each day from plant products.

Products that cause constipation in children and adults :

• Milk and milk products. Many people are interested in whether constipation causes cottage cheese, milk, cheese, sour cream. All dairy products, including cheeses, ice cream, cottage cheese, are known for slowing down the process of digestion. This is due to the high content of fat and the almost complete lack of fiber in them. How to get rid of constipation caused by milk products, if a person loves them very much? One solution is to use them in combination with rich fiber products - for example, curd can be added to salads. It should be noted that it is better for adults to consume milk products - kefir, cottage cheese, curdled milk.
• Red meat. Although red meat in itself does not cause constipation, problems with its regular use are due to the fact that it replaces the foods rich in cellulose in the diet. To avoid constipation, you should eat meat along with a sufficient amount of fiber-rich foods - for example, with potatoes or salad.
• Bananas. Sour bananas contain a large amount of starch, which can cause constipation. Ripe bananas are rich in soluble fiber, which is useful to people with constipation. Fried products. Fat and fried foods - for example, french fries, donuts, fried fish - slows the progress of food through the intestines. These foods can cause constipation in a person. I'd better cook a couple or cook.
• Bread. People eat bread with almost every meal. In a person who is intolerant to gluten, bread can cause constipation or diarrhea.
• Chips. Potato chips often replace foods rich in fiber. They contain a large amount of fat, which slows down digestion.
• Chocolate. Although the use of chocolate in small quantities is associated with health benefits, it can slow the digestion process.
• Sweets. Cookies, cakes and muffins contain a large amount of fat, little water and fiber.
• Eggs. Frequent consumption of eggs in some people can cause constipation, as they are rich in fat and poor in fiber.

Drinks that can cause constipation

Doctors claim that drinking enough liquid is very important to prevent constipation. However, not all drinks are useful in this case, since some of them themselves can cause dehydration and slow digestion.

Drinks that cause constipation :

• Coffee and other beverages containing caffeine. This substance causes dehydration and increased absorption of water in the intestines, which can cause constipation.
• Alcoholic beverages. Alcohol suppresses digestion, causes dehydration, worsens the metabolism of glucose, disrupts the functioning of the central and peripheral nervous system. The combined effect of these factors can lead to constipation.

Drugs that can cause constipation

Constipation may sometimes be a side effect of a person's medications.

Antidoxides containing aluminum( preparations for the treatment of gastritis, heartburn) belong to drugs that can slow down digestion:

Antidepressants( eg, amitriptyline).

Antiepileptic drugs( eg, carbamazepine).

Antipsychotic drugs( drugs for the treatment of schizophrenia and other mental illnesses).

Calcium channel blockers( used to treat hypertension).

Calcium preparations.

Narcotic pain relievers( eg, morphine).

Diuretics.

Iron preparations( used to treat iron deficiency anemia).

Constipation caused by treatment with these drugs usually occurs after discontinuation of their administration. However, it is impossible to cancel any medication on your own, as this can be dangerous. Should in such cases consult with a doctor.

It should also be noted that the occurrence of constipation can lead to excessive use of laxatives. The fact is that many patients prescribe these drugs themselves. Laxatives help defecate. A person who continues to take them from constipation gradually increases the dose of the remedy to achieve the same result. This can lead to addiction to laxatives. When the patient stops taking them, he may develop constipation.

Diseases in which constipation may occur

Less commonly, constipation can be a sign of diseases such as:

• Irritable bowel syndrome.
• Diabetes mellitus. Increased level of calcium in the blood.
• .
• Hypothyroidism( decreased activity of the thyroid gland).
• Muscular dystrophy is a genetic disease that causes muscle atrophy.
• Multiple sclerosis is a disease that affects the nervous system.
• Parkinson's disease is a disease in which part of the brain is damaged, which disrupts the coordination of movements.
• Trauma of the spinal cord.
• Anus fracture.
• Inflammatory diseases of the large intestine.
• Large intestine cancer.
• Systemic lupus erythematosus.
• Scleroderma.

Can constipation cause an abnormal lifestyle?

The wrong way of living implies inappropriate nutrition, bad habits and insufficient level of physical activity. As already noted, insufficient fiber in the diet, the use of certain foods and drinks, alcohol can cause constipation.

Constipation may also develop if the person has insufficient physical activity. This is especially noticeable in the elderly.

It is known that if a person is in a lying position for a long time, the risk of constipation in him increases significantly. Doctors believe that physical activity maintains a high level of metabolism in the body, which speeds up digestion. Elderly people tend to lead a less active lifestyle, therefore, have a higher risk of constipation. A physically active person is less likely to suffer from this problem.

What can cause constipation during breastfeeding?

In infants completely breastfed, constipation develops rarely. Children who are on artificial or mixed feeding, this problem is more common.

The most common cause of constipation in a baby with breastfeeding is dehydration. In this case, you need to either increase the number of feedings, or give the baby a small amount of water.

Another cause may be foods that are consumed by the mother, causing allergic reactions in the baby, which can cause constipation during breastfeeding. Most often it is milk and milk products, although there may be any other food. In this case, you must exclude the allergen from the diet.

Approximately at the age of 6 months, babies begin to introduce complementary foods. It is at this time that babies are at increased risk of constipation, since supplemental foods contain less water and can slow digestion.

Many people are familiar with the problem of constipation. In most cases, the cause of this condition lies in the wrong way of life and irrational nutrition. Correction of these factors allows many people to get rid of constipation. Nevertheless, in some cases, this problem is a sign of certain diseases in which qualified medical care is needed.

Author: Taras Nevelichuk, doctor,
specially for Moizhivot.ru

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