Symptoms of Occasional Constipation and Natural Solutions

Almost everyone has or will experience some form of constipation during their life. Signs or symptoms of constipation include infrequent bowel movements, painful stools, bloating, and the need to strain to pass waste. Causes of constipation include a poor diet, dehydration, and a lack of physical activity. Laxatives are the popular way to remedy constipation, but exercise and a healthy, organic diet can be just as effective and much less harmful to your digestive health.

What Is Constipation?

Constipation is a common digestive condition that takes place in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. It occurs when the stool becomes impacted, causing bowel movements to become infrequent or difficult to pass. For many people, three bowel movements per week is "normal." The preference of most healthcare professionals, however, is the passing of stool two to three times per day or after every meal. The inability to pass a stool at either of these rates is indicative of a blockage that results in constipation.^[1]

Types of Constipation

There are two types of constipation: occasional and chronic. Occasional constipation is the most common type because it can affect anyone as a result of diet, stress, lack of energy, or other temporary reasons. Chronic constipation is an ongoing condition that may require lifelong attention.^[1]

Side Effects of Constipation

Constipation can result in a great deal of discomfort and can also affect your gut health. One of the effects of having impacted bowels or intestinal blockage is a feeling of lethargy that keeps you from performing everyday tasks. You may also experience a distended or swollen stomach due to fluid or gas buildup, and feel as though you are unable to expel any waste from your bowels. Another effect of constipation is the disturbance of your intestinal microbiota, the healthy bacteria in your GI tract that support digestion. Once the composition of this important bacteria is compromised, it can affect overall health. In some cases, an overgrowth of an organism in your gut called candida can occur and lead to a yeast infection.^[2]

Causes of Constipation

Poop happens...but sometimes, it doesn’t. Here are the main causes of constipation.

Diet

Nutrition plays a significant role in your intestinal health. A diet rich in fiber from whole grains, vegetables, and fruits is ideal for a healthy GI tract. Foods that are heavy in animal fats such as meats, eggs, dairy, and sodium-rich processed foods promote stools that are hard to pass. A great way to keep your GI tract healthy is by replacing fatty or sugary snacks with healthy foods. Instead of a candy bar or cheese and crackers, try snacking on a handful of your favorite bran cereal, an orange, a small bowl of sliced kiwis, or a small serving of prunes.^[3]

Dehydration

Drinking water every day is a great way to keep your skin clear, promote a healthy body weight, and enjoy a refreshing beverage. It's also essential for healthy digestion and waste removal. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), dehydration is very common in the United States and is a leading cause of constipation. Getting your daily intake of water may prevent or alleviate constipation. Water intake does not have to be limited to just drinking – it can be absorbed through eating foods that have a high water content, like zucchini, celery, and watermelon.^{[4, 5]}

Absence of Physical Activity

Exercise is beneficial for a healthy gastrointestinal tract. It is recommended to incorporate some form of exercise into your weekly schedule. One study found that daily exercise resulted in a 44% reduction of constipation in women. Out of all exercises, a brisk walk is the most effective at encouraging regular bowel movements.^[6]

Medication

There are a number of medications that cause constipation, including:^[7]

• Antacids
• Iron tablets
• Antidepressants
• Antispasmodic drugs
• Narcotics and painkillers

Caffeine & Alcohol

Both caffeine and alcohol encourage fluid excretion from your body which can lead to dehydration. Reducing or removing these elements from your diet, combined with a healthy intake of water and fiber, may relieve the effects of constipation by keeping your stools smooth and hydrated.^[7]

Life Changes

Your intestines and your brain are linked. They are regulated by the same hormones and elements of the nervous system, so is it any wonder that a life-changing experience can affect your digestive tract? Stress can aggravate the large intestine and cause temporary, unhealthy side effects like diarrhea or constipation.^[8] Also, a sudden change in your daily routine can confuse your digestive system. Make sure you take time to redefine your natural eating and bowel habits to get back your regularity.

Shifts in Health

Illness, pregnancy, and advanced age have differing effects on health and can impact your bowel movements.

Illness

Illness or other health issues can result in a stay in the hospital. Staying in the hospital can prompt constipation due to constant bed rest, a smaller intake of food, medications, and a tendency to be shy while using the bathroom. Ask your natural healthcare provider what you can do to reduce constipation while there. Regardless, make sure you stay hydrated and try to make frequent trips to the restroom.

Pregnancy

Constipation is common during pregnancy due to an increase in hormones and the uterus pressing up against a woman’s intestines. Following a diet that's high in fiber and engaging in daily exercise may help alleviate some of these effects.

Age

As people get older, it's common to experience a reduction in muscle contractions within the intestinal wall. This factor, plus a greater need for medication makes constipation more common in the elderly. A diet rich in fiber and fruits, especially prunes, along with exercise is beneficial during this time in life.^[9]

Ignoring the Need to Go

Another contributing factor is avoiding bowel movements. This aversion may happen because back pain is present, there is no time to use the bathroom at work, or you don’t feel comfortable using public restrooms. These circumstances can lead to your stool becoming backed up, resulting in constipation. Going on a vigorous walk at the end of the day may help loosen up your stool, and the exercise may also help with back pain.^[10]

Symptoms of Occasional Constipation

There are several signs to look for if you think you may have occasional constipation, the most common being fewer bowel movements. There are several other symptoms, however, that are also associated with this condition. Experiencing two or more of these symptoms may mean you need to take action.

Bloating

Healthy people can experience bloating for several different reasons. However, the most common of these is constipation. Bloating occurs because fecal matter in the small intestine moves slowly or stops. This blockage causes fluid to build which can result in a bloating sensation.^[11]

Painful Stools

As digested food moves through the GI tract, water and nutrients are extracted. When feces moves too slowly, it can become hard, dry, and painful to pass.^[12]

Back or Abdominal Pain

Constipation can cause the colon to distend resulting in bloating within the abdomen. This process can lead to constipation-related back pain. Discomfort in the abdominal area or lower back as a result of constipation feels more like a dull ache than a sharp pain. Use natural remedies like diet and exercise to relieve this type of pain. Resist the urge to reach for a pain reliever as they may make constipation worse.^[7]

Nausea

The sick feeling you may experience while constipated is usually the result of toxins in your body. As the digestive system backs up and slows down due to hardened stool in the large intestine, nausea can result. In addition, dehydration, one cause of constipation, causes nausea. ^[13]

Children & Constipation

Although children tend to become constipated like adults, it’s often for reasons other than just a poor diet, stress, or lack of exercise. Sometimes while kids are playing or engaging in other activities, they just forget to go. They’re not used to listening to their body’s natural signals that it’s time to use the bathroom. This can cause bowels to become backed up and impacted. Some children who end up passing hard stool develop a fear of going to the bathroom – severely disrupting their schedule. Keeping the child hydrated, teaching them to listen to their body, and supporting a regular potty schedule may help the child avoid constipation in the future.^[14]

Natural Remedies for Occasional Constipation

The first thing most people turn to when they feel constipated are either laxatives or enemas. There are several types of laxatives, including herbal stimulant laxatives, but these are hash and can damage the GI tract. Enemas can be a quick solution but are not the best solution, especially if you suffer from regular constipation.

Avoiding constipation altogether is always the best solution. Choosing a lifestyle with exercise, a healthy diet, and a regular bowel schedule will help keep you regular. Some people use enemas and laxatives as solutions for constipation, but because they do not address the root cause of the issue and carry significant risks, I do not recommend them. When constipation does occur, there are several natural ways to help alleviate unhealthy blockage.

Change Your Diet

Many people in the Western world eat unhealthy diets full of processed foods, meat, sugar, and allergens like dairy or wheat/gluten. One of the best ways to avoid constipation is eliminating foods that cause constipation from your diet and adding ones that help keep things moving.

Eliminate or reduce these foods:

• Processed foods
• Fried foods
• Red meat
• Dairy products
• Foods with wheat and gluten
• Alcohol

Add these foods:

• Leafy green vegetables
• Foods high in bran and fiber like beans and whole grains
• Fruits, especially prunes
• Water
• Lemon
• Apple cider vinegar
• Ginger

Always drink plenty of water. Adding natural lemon juice or apple cider vinegar to distilled or purified water is ideal. Ginger is one natural, effective means of relief from occasional constipation and associated nausea. Ginger tea, peppermint tea, apple cider vinegar, or a glass of hot water with a few slices of lemon are all healthy ways to stimulate digestive enzymes in your GI tract and loosen your stool.

Eat plenty of green leafy vegetables, fiber-rich foods like beans, and vegetables like broccoli, avocado, and squash and fruits like apple, kiwi, berries and plums or prunes. If you eat a plant-based, fiber-full diet coupled with brisk walks, you will find your bowels moving.

Make It a Habit

There’s a reason people call a lack of constipation being “regular.” Being regular means that you go to the bathroom at approximately the same time every day. If you do not do have a regular time for your bowel movements and you struggle with constipation, try sitting on the commode at the same time every day. The best time to start is first thing in the morning because peristalsis – the muscular contractions of the bowels – is strongest at this time. Even if you do not have a bowel movement, sit on the toilet for at least 10 minutes each morning, training your body. Eventually, it will catch the hint.

Try a Stool

People have squatted to defecate from time immemorial. And today, we sit on toilets that are not designed with this fact in mind. Try elevating your feet with a short stool when you sit on the toilet. The makers of the “Squatty Potty” have had wild success with this concept, and for a good reason: putting your body in a more natural position to poop works.

Move Your Body

Too many people live sedentary lifestyles, sitting in cars or behind desks all day. Make exercise a priority. You can start with something simple, like stretching at your desk, taking a 15-minute walk around during your break, or parking your car further. Buying a Fitbit or exercise-tracking watch and monitor the number of footsteps you take every day. You might find yourself surprised at how simple movements can help your bowels. Even better, join a gym or do more active exercise like bicycling, running, yoga, or aerobic activity.

Take the Right Nutritional Supplements

The right natural supplement can provide the jump-start you need to relieve constipation.

Fiber

A fiber supplement may help with constipation, but it can also make constipation worse if the wrong type is used. A soluble, non-fermenting, gel-forming fiber supplement is recommended over an insoluble fiber supplement as it doesn’t yield as many negative effects. However, even soluble fiber like psyllium carries risks. To bypass side effects from fiber supplements, get your fiber from a fiber-rich diet, including leafy green vegetables and fresh fruits.^[15]

Digestive Enzymes

Digestive enzymes like lipase and cellulase help break down the foods we eat. While the foods we eat – especially raw, living food – contain digestive enzymes, we too often eat cooked and processed foods that have killed the enzymes. Taking supplemental enzymes can normalize your digestion.

Probiotics

You can buy probiotics, the healthy bacteria in the intestines that help with digestion, as supplements or in certain probiotic foods like yogurt or kombucha. These supplements have been shown to promote a healthy GI tract that’s less likely to experience constipation. A great probiotic supplement that can help promote a healthy microbiome within your gut is Global Healing's Ultimate Probiotic.^[16]

Epsom Salt

Food-grade Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) can be used for occasional constipation and really moves the bowels. Because an Epsom salt solution has a higher salt concentration than your body fluids, it pulls water into the colon, creating a watery, loose stool. Your gallbladder may also benefit from magnesium sulfate as a flush to help relieve gallstones.

Ozonated Magnesium

Magnesium can draw water into hard stools naturally, making them softer and easier to pass. It also relieves any tension in the intestinal wall that might be causing constipation. Performing a colon cleanse using an ozonated magnesium supplement can help normalize digestion. Once the bowels are cleared out, re-introduce healthy foods into your diet for best results.

Oxy-Powder® is one of the best supplements available for promoting a healthy GI tract. The formula uses the natural power of oxygen to gently cleanse and detoxify your entire digestive tract, relieving bloating, gas, and occasional constipation.

What About Laxatives?

Laxatives are often used as an immediate means of constipation relief. Laxatives work by either irritating muscles in the intestinal walls to force a bowel movement, or by drawing water to the stool to make it easier to pass. Although they may produce a bowel movement, laxatives can cause dehydration and dependency. Dependency is the inability to pass stool without laxatives, which is why they’re best avoided.^[17]

Healthy vs. Unhealthy Stools

A good way to find out the state of your health is through your stool. According to the Bristol Stool Chart, a medical scale designed to classify stools, there are seven types of feces.^[15]

Type 1

Type 1 stools are the least healthy. They are usually small and hard resembling nuts or pellets and are very painful to pass. This kind of stool indicates that you are dehydrated, full of toxins and in need of intestinal cleansing.

Type 2

Type 2 stools are one piece, but hard and lumpy and shaped like a pickle or sausage. This stool is also painful and difficult to pass and is indicative of constipation. Intestinal cleansing is recommended.

Type 3

Type 3 stools are one piece, usually have surface cracks, and are considered normal. Some medical professionals argue, however, that this type of stool is a sign of constipation. If difficult to pass, it may warrant an intestinal cleanse.

Type 4

Type 4 stools are sausage-shaped, smooth, and almost snake-like. These are ideal stools and indicate a regular bowel movement routine. They represent a healthy GI tract.

Type 5

Type 5 stools contain soft blobs with clear-cut edges and are easily passed through the digestive system. Classified as soft diarrhea, they indicate toxicity in your digestive system and indicate the need for cleansing.

Type 6

Type 6 stools tend to be in pieces and are mushy and fluffy with ragged edges. Their consistency indicates diarrhea and toxicity in your system. Dehydration may result from this condition.

Type 7

Type 7 stools are mostly liquid with no solid pieces, and they've spent the least amount of time in the colon. This could be indicative of an unhealthy GI tract and should be taken seriously. Dehydration may occur at this level which can result in constipation later on. Avoid alcohol and caffeine if this occurs and hydrate right away with plenty of fruit and water.

Your Story

†Results may vary. Information and statements made are for education purposes and are not intended to replace the advice of your doctor. If you have a severe medical condition or health concern, see your physician.

Dr. Edward Group, DC

FOUNDER | HEALER | ADVOCATE

Dr. Group, DC is a healer and alternative health advocate, and an industry leader and innovator in the field of natural health who is dedicated to helping others. He is a registered doctor of chiropractic (DC), a naturopathic practitioner (NP), and proud alum of Harvard Business School and MIT Sloan School of Management. Dr. Group, DC is the founder of Global Healing – a mission and vision he has shared through best-selling books and frequent media appearances. He aims to spread his message of positivity, hope, and wellness throughout the world.

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