Chronic constipation may be more than uncomfortable

Are you one of the estimated 2.3 million Americans who go see their health care provider each year because of constipation issues? There are many reasons for constipation, which by the way, is defined as having a bowel movement less than three times a week. Everyone is different in their frequency or pattern of bowel movements, so it is when there is a change in that pattern for a period of time that might be worth a check with your health care provider.

There are a number of causes of chronic constipation including

• Changes in normal routine:
  • Less dietary fiber
  • Less water and other fluids
  • Less activity and physical movement
  • Alteration in timing of meals
  • More time traveling
  • Increase in stress
• Certain medications can result in constipation including
  
  • Pain medications such as narcotics
  • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as Advil and Motrin
  • Anti-depressants
  • Iron pills
  • Antacids
  • Blood pressure medications
  • Antihistamines
• There are certain medical conditions that may cause constipation:
  • Endocrine conditions such as diabetes and hypothyroidism
  • Colorectal cancer
  • Intestinal obstruction
  • Irritable bowel syndrome
  • Diverticulitis
  • Neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and stroke

A recent Harvard study sheds more light on the importance of having normal bowel function, and avoiding chronic constipation. Their research, pulled from several long-term studies of over 112,000 adults, showed a link between chronic constipation and cognitive decline. In fact, having a bowel movement every three days or less equated to three years of cognitive aging, compared to those who had a daily bowel movement. As a reminder, cognition function includes your mental processes that help you learn, acquire new knowledge and have understanding of information.

For normal and regular bowel function, here are a few tips:

• Drink eight or more glasses of fluids
• Eat a variety of high fiber foods at each meal (fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, legumes, and whole grains such as whole wheat bread and bran cereals), striving for 25-35 grams of fiber daily or about 10 grams fiber per meal.
• Daily exercise.
• Drink a warm caffeinated beverage such as coffee or tea in the morning to help move things along.
• Review your medications with your health care provider to see if any may be causing your constipation, and to evaluate if there is an adequate replacement medication.