Information on the Cause of Constipation

The most common cause of constipation is poor diet, and in particular, a diet which is low in the fiber that is found in fruit, vegetables and whole grains. The same people that have a low fiber diet are typically the ones who have a higher than recommended intake of fats and sugar. Fats that are found in products like meat, eggs, and dairy products do nothing to assist constipation.

The reason that fiber is so important is that it actually assists in the passing of a soft-texture stool because it holds water as it passes through the digestive system The digestive system actually works to strip out a lot of water from feces as it passes through he small and large intestine (colon). If there is not enough fiber in your diet, then the stool will harden, which can be the cause of severe constipation.

In addition, using a product like OxyPowder can help to rid the colon of undesirable bad bacteria and compacted fecal matter - most of us have between 6-40lbs of decaying fecal matter in our colon at any given time. Flushing the colon can deliver much desired unclogging and assist your diet in reducing constipation.

But diet isn't the only cause. Another one of the most common causes of constipation is the lack of fluid intake. 60-70 ounces of water and/or juices is recommended to be taken each day to assist is making bowel movements softer and more regular, and to help flush the colon at the same time. Many people believe that consuming copious amount of caffeine beverages such as tea and coffee help, but they in fact have a dehydrating effect rather than a hydrating effect.

Our lack of exercise is another cause of constipation. We would much rather drive our cars to the corner store to buy milk than walk there, and our children are spending more an more time playing video games and watching TV. There is no precise explanation of why constipation is caused by laziness, but the lack of exercise works to slow our metabolism and in turn can be seen as a factor in slowing the digestive system and reducing the regularity of bowel movements

Other causes of constipation include:

• Medications (especially narcotics), antacids that contain aluminium, antispasmodics, antidepressants, iron supplements, diuretics, and anticonvulsants for epilepsy can slow passage of bowel movements
• Conditions such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
• Pregnancy - changes in hormonal levels can alter regularity and metabolism
• Travel - people often become constipated when travelling because their normal diet and daily routines are disrupted
• Abuse of Laxatives
• Ignoring the Urge to Have a Bowel Movement

Although the most common cause of constipation is generally seen as a diet that is low in fiber and high in fats and sugars, there are other causes that can have just as mush of a dramatic impact on your digestive system.