If you’re like many Americans, constipation is something you’ve experienced. Over 4 million people each year report being constipated. Cases of colon cancer are rising steadily. To understand why you may be suffering, you first need to know exactly what constipation means. When John Wayne died they found 60 pounds of compacted hard fecal matter stuck to lining of his intestines.

My definition of being constipated means that you have difficulty passing stools and do not have daily bowel movements.

If your stools are soft and pass easily and you pass them at least 2 times per day, I would say you’re not constipated.

In order to be diagnosed with constipation, you must have at least two of following symptoms for at least 12 months:

·Hard or pellet-like stools at least 25% of time ·Straining with bowel movements at least 25% of time ·A feeling that you don’t completely empty your bowels at least 25% of time ·Fewer than 5 bowel movements per week

What causes constipation?

The most common cause of constipation is a lack of adequate amounts of water, exercise, stress and fiber in diet. The longer stool sits in large intestine waiting to be passed, harder and less easy to pass it becomes.

There are many other reasons that you may find yourself constipated. Common causes of constipation include:

·A change in schedule, such as traveling or anything that changes your daily routine ·Repressing urge to have a bowel movement ·An increase in your stress levels ·A lack of exercise and poor dietary habits ·Loss of activity as a result of injury or aging ·Pregnancy ·Medication use

Constipation may also be a result of another health problem, such as irritable bowel syndrome, diabetes or other illnesses.