One of the main factors of constipation is eating a lot of foods that cause constipation. Constipation is a digestive disorder that causes the frequency of bowel movements to decrease. Constipation or often also called constipation has symptoms such as a feeling of a lump when defecating, straining during bowel movements (bowel movements), and the condition of dry, lumpy, and hard stools.
If you experience it, you should immediately find a way to treat constipation so that it doesn’t get worse and becomes chronic constipation. Find several ways to prevent and treat constipation in the following explanation.
Causes of Constipation in All People
Constipation can be experienced by all people, from children to adults, even pregnant women. However, the causes of difficult bowel movements for each person can be different. The following are some of the common causes of difficult bowel movements:
1. Unhealthy Lifestyle
Rarely consuming vegetables and drinking enough water can cause constipation. In addition, changes in diet such as consuming too much dairy and rarely exercising can also be a cause of difficult bowel movements.
Therefore, adopting a healthy lifestyle is very important. You can regularly consume high-fiber foods such as vegetables and fruit, drink at least 8 glasses of water a day, and exercise diligently.
2. Often Delay CHAPTER
Often small children or adults delay having a bowel movement for several reasons. But this habit must be abandoned immediately because delaying bowel movements too often will cause constipation.
3. Suffering from Certain Illnesses
Constipation could be a symptom of a disease. Although it rarely occurs, diseases such as diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, even colon cancer are examples of diseases that have symptoms of constipation.
4. Pregnancy
Constipation is a health problem that is prone to be experienced by pregnant women. Most pregnant women experience constipation because their bodies produce more of the hormone progesterone, which has a relaxing effect on muscles.
The large production of the hormone progesterone makes it difficult for the muscles in the large intestine to contract, which causes difficult bowel movements. Solutions that can be done during pregnancy are consuming more fibrous vegetables, probiotics, and limiting calcium intake.
Foods that Cause Constipation to Avoid
The causes of constipation can depend on the food intake a person consumes. Everything that is excessive is not good, including this constipation-causing food. Excessive consumption of some of the following types of food can actually cause constipation.
1. Chocolate
Chocolate is a food that is liked by many people, especially children. But did you know that chocolate is one of the foods that cause constipation, especially if consumed in excess?
There has been no specific research into why chocolate can cause constipation, but some researchers claim that the milk content in chocolate may be the main problem. In addition, the caffeine content in chocolate can also be a cause of constipation in someone.
2. Processed Milk
People who experience constipation due to milk are usually someone who has an intolerance to lactose which is contained in cow’s, goat’s or sheep’s milk. Lactose is a natural sugar in milk. A person with this condition usually does not have a digestive enzyme that is specific to digesting lactose.
3. Foods Containing Gluten
Foods that cause constipation are foods that contain gluten. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, whole grains, and triticale . Some people if they consume gluten can experience constipation. Usually these people suffer from celiac disease , which is colon syndrome and gluten intolerance.
4. Foods that Cause Allergies
One of the allergic reactions that arise is constipation. Examples of foods that cause constipation due to allergic reactions are seafood , eggs, and nuts.
How to Overcome Constipation Quickly and Easily
Constipation can interfere with daily activities and of course this should not be allowed because it can be harmful to your health. Here’s how to fix it quickly and easily:
1. Consuming Yogurt
Yogurt contains probiotics which are good for increasing bowel movements and making your intestines healthier. Yogurt also contains good bacteria which function to soften the stool so that it will make it easier to defecate. Consuming yogurt is also known as a quick and easy way to deal with constipation.
2. Consuming Broccoli
Including broccoli in your daily diet can also be a way to deal with constipation. Broccoli is useful for treating constipation because it contains sulforaphane in it. Sulforaphan functions to protect and facilitate digestion in the intestine and can also prevent the development of microorganisms that can interfere with digestion in the large intestine.
3. Never Delay CHAPTER
After knowing that often delaying bowel movements is a cause of constipation, then as much as possible never delay it again. Delaying defecation will only make the stool hard and cause constipation.
4. Raising Legs During CHAPTER
Some people already use a sitting toilet when defecating. However, using a sitting toilet when constipated can actually be very difficult. One way to deal with and help the stool come out is to raise your feet.
Raising the legs is useful in stimulating bowel movements to contract and make it easier to defecate. You can put a small stool in front of the toilet and place your feet on the small stool. This can be done as an effort to relieve constipation.