Constipation and Weight Loss: Uncover the Surprising Link Affecting Your Health

Constipation, a common problem characterized by difficulty passing stools, can sometimes be linked to weight loss efforts. This article explores the causes of constipation, its connection to weight loss, and strategies for managing it.

Understanding Constipation

Constipation is generally defined as having fewer than three bowel movements per week. You might also experience hard stools that are difficult to pass. Other symptoms include stomachache or cramps, feeling bloated and nauseated, and feeling that you haven’t completely emptied your bowels after a movement.

Causes of Constipation

Several factors can contribute to constipation:

Lifestyle Factors

Lack of Dietary Fiber: A diet low in fiber, found in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes, can lead to constipation. Fiber adds bulk to the stool, helping it move through the digestive system.
Dehydration: Not drinking enough water can cause the body to absorb too much water from the stool, making it hard and difficult to pass.
Lack of Exercise: Physical activity helps stimulate bowel movements. A sedentary lifestyle can contribute to constipation.
Changes in Routine: Travel, changes in eating habits, or irregular sleep schedules can disrupt bowel regularity.
Consuming Large Amounts of Milk or Cheese: Dairy products can be constipating for some individuals.
Stress: Stress can affect bowel function.
Resisting the Urge: Ignoring the urge to have a bowel movement can lead to constipation.

Medical Conditions

A number of medical conditions can affect the work of muscles, nerves, or hormones involved in passing stool.

Endocrine Conditions: Conditions like hypothyroidism, diabetes, uremia, and hypercalcemia can cause constipation.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): IBS is a gastrointestinal disorder with symptoms of constipation, abdominal pain, bloating, and gas.
Diverticulitis: Inflammation or infection of small pouches in the colon can lead to constipation.
Neurological Disorders: Conditions like spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and stroke can affect bowel function.
Lazy Bowel Syndrome: This occurs when the colon contracts poorly and retains stool.
Intestinal Obstruction: Blockages in the colon or rectum can prevent stool from passing. Damage or changes to tissues in the colon or rectum can block the passage of stool. Structural defects in your digestive tract (like fistula, colonic atresia, volvulus, intussusception, imperforate anus or malrotation).
Multiple Organ Diseases: Diseases like amyloidosis, lupus, and scleroderma can affect bowel function.
Pregnancy: Hormonal changes and the pressure of the fetus on the intestines can cause constipation during pregnancy. The fetus inside your uterus may squish your intestines, slowing down the passage of stool.

Medications

Constipation may be a side effect of some medicines, particularly opioid pain relievers. Many drugs can cause constipation. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns.

Strong pain medicines, like narcotics containing codeine, oxycodone (Oxycontin®) and hydromorphone (Dilaudid®).
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®) and naproxen (Aleve®).
Antidepressants, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (like fluoxetine [Prozac®]) or tricyclic antidepressants (like amitriptyline [Elavil®]).
Antacids containing calcium or aluminum, such as Tums®.
Iron pills.
Allergy medications, such as antihistamines (like diphenhydramine [Benadryl®]).
Certain blood pressure medicines, including calcium channel blockers (like verapamil [Calan SR®], diltiazem [Cardizem®] and nifedipine [Procardia®]) and beta-blockers (like atenolol [Tenormin®]).
Psychiatric medications, like clozapine (Clozaril®) and olanzapine (Zyprexa®).
Antiseizure medications, such as phenytoin and gabapentin.
Antinausea medications, like ondansetron (Zofran®).

Problems with Pelvic Floor Muscles

The ability both to relax these muscles and to bear down are necessary to pass stool from the rectum. The muscles that hold up organs at the bottom of the torso are called the pelvic floor muscles. Outlet dysfunction constipation. This is a defect in the coordination of your pelvic floor muscles. These muscles support the organs within your pelvis and lower abdomen. They’re needed to help release poop.

The Link Between Weight Loss and Constipation

Dieting with the goal of weight loss can sometimes cause constipation. Changing your eating pattern for weight loss can cause constipation. Some people experience constipation when switching to a new eating plan for weight loss. It’s a common problem that affects about 4 in 10 people who are trying to lose weight, though many feel too embarrassed to talk about it.

When you begin to lose weight, your body goes through a variety of changes that might have an impact on how your digestive system functions. Eating less food means less movement through your digestive tract, slowing everything down. Think of it like a busy highway suddenly having fewer cars-traffic moves differently.

Dietary Changes

You may be eating different foods, eating less food, or eating less often than you were before. All of these variables can affect your bowel movements. Many weight loss diets also cut out certain foods, especially carbohydrates, which often contain fiber that helps keep things moving.

Reduced Food Intake: When you eat less food during weight loss, you might get constipated. This happens because less food moves through your gut, so everything slows down, and your body needs time to adjust.
Changes in Food Choices: When you diet, you often eat less fiber and change when you eat, making it harder to poop regularly. You may be eating different foods, eating less food, or eating less often than you were before. All of these variables can affect your bowel movements.
Low-Carb Diets: For instance, people who start following a low carb or keto diet may reduce their intake of fruits and vegetables while increasing their intake of protein and fat. These changes may slow the speed at which food passes through the digestive system, leading to constipation, especially as the body adjusts to the change.
Eating Habits That May Increase Constipation:
- Consuming foods and drinks that contain large amounts of sugar or artificial sweeteners, including some meal replacement drinks and bars.
- Eating highly processed foods, including some diet food products.
- Eating too few calories.
- Fasting or skipping meals, which may lead to not drinking enough water.
- Not eating enough fiber, which is found in beans, legumes, fruits, and vegetables.

Other Factors

Plus, if you exercise more than usual, you might sweat more and become slightly dehydrated, making constipation more likely. Some people also change when and how often they eat, confusing their body’s natural rhythm.

Relieving and Preventing Constipation During Weight Loss

While constipation can be uncomfortable, you can likely help improve your regularity by making certain changes to your routine and eating habits. You may be able to relieve constipation through changes such as drinking more water, getting more exercise, and eating more fiber.

Dietary Solutions

What you consume has a significant impact on your ability to lose weight and overcome constipation.

Increase Fiber Intake: Your body needs fiber-think of it as a natural pipe cleaner for your digestive system. You should aim to get between 25 and 34 grams of fiber daily, but don’t rush to add it all at once, or you might feel bloated. Incorporate fiber-rich foods such as fruits, veggies, whole grains, and legumes into your diet. Eat more fruits, veggies, and healthy grains.
Stay Hydrated: Water is equally as vital as fiber; without adequate water, fiber can exacerbate constipation. Try to drink water throughout the day, not just while you are thirsty. Carry a water jug with you and consume it often. When you’re eating less food, you might need to make an extra effort to get enough water. Drink lots of water.

Lifestyle Changes

Moving your body regularly is one of the best things you can do for your digestive health while losing weight.

Regular Exercise: Exercise helps move contents around in your intestines, making it simpler to have frequent bowel movements. You don’t need to undertake strenuous workouts; simply going for a 30-minute stroll every day can help. Go for frequent strolls. Try to move slightly after meals, as this can help with digestion.
Establish a Routine: Another important factor is your bathroom routine. Don’t resist the need to go when you feel it; it’s your body’s inherent signal. Make sure you have adequate time in the early hours or wherever you typically need to go. Many people find that having a consistent daily routine helps their body develop regular bathroom habits.
Proper Toilet Posture: Using a small stool under your feet while on the toilet can also help position your body better for more effortless bowel movements.

Over-the-Counter Solutions

If eating more fiber and drinking more water does not work, you may want to try over-the-counter products to relieve minor constipation. Sometimes, diet and lifestyle changes aren’t enough, and that’s when over-the-counter products can help.

Fiber Supplements: Fiber supplements like psyllium husk can be a good option if you struggle to get enough fiber from food alone. Start with a low dose and slowly increase it to alleviate stomach ache.
Stool Softeners:
Laxatives: Gentle laxatives work differently - some pull water into your intestines, while others help stimulate movement. However, using these products carefully is essential, and one should not rely on them too long. Using laxatives excessively might make your body reliant on them, leading to severe constipation in the future.

Important Note: Long-term use of laxatives can have negative health effects and may contribute to the risk of dementia. If you’re considering taking any over-the-counter meds, observe a physician first, particularly if you’re also on other medicines.

Read also: Weight Loss Meds & BCBS

When to Seek Medical Advice

If you experience constipation that is severe or doesn’t get better over time with dietary changes, it’s best to talk with a doctor.

Additional Health Concerns and Symptoms

It can be hard to know when to seek medical care. Here are some symptoms that warrant medical attention:

Unexplained Weight Loss: Losing weight without trying may be a sign of a health problem. An unexplained drop in weight could be caused by many conditions. Unexplained weight loss means losing weight unintentionally - without dieting, exercising more, or trying to lose weight.
Persistent Fever: Fever seems to play a key role in fighting infection. Persistent fever can mean you have an infection, including COVID-19.
Shortness of Breath: Strenuous exercise, extreme temperatures, obesity and high altitude all can cause shortness of breath. Shortness of breath also could be a sign of another health problem.
Changes in Bowel Habits: Changes in bowel habits could be a sign of a bacterial infection - such as campylobacter or salmonella infection - or a viral or parasitic infection.
Early Satiety: If you usually feel full too soon or after eating less than usual, get checked by your health care provider.
Flashes of Light: Bright spots or flashes of light can sometimes be a sign of a migraine. In other cases, sudden flashes of light could be a sign of a serious condition in which a thin layer of tissue at the back of the eye pulls away from its position (retinal detachment).

Potential Complications of Constipation

There are a few complications that could happen if you don’t have soft, regular bowel movements. Some complications include:

Swollen, inflamed veins in your rectum (hemorrhoids).
Tears in the lining of your anus from hardened stool trying to pass through (anal fissures).
An infection in the pouches (diverticula) that sometimes form off your colon wall from stool that’s become trapped and infected (diverticulitis).
A pile-up of too much poop in your rectum and anus (fecal impaction).
Damage to your pelvic floor muscles from straining to move your bowels. These muscles help control your bladder, among other things. Too much straining for too long may cause urine to leak from your bladder (stress urinary incontinence).

Case Study

A 19-year-old female was admitted to a children's hospital weighing 75 pounds. She lost 75 pounds over 2 years and did not menstruate for a year. Despite her dissatisfaction with her thin appearance and desire to weigh more, her inpatient treatment focused on "disordered eating." Adolescent medicine, nutrition, and gastroenterology specialists were consulted. A pediatric psychology consultation was initiated to address anxiety associated with eating as well as abnormal toileting behaviors. The patient reported that she had chronic constipation since the age 3 years with a large, hard, and painful bowel movement once every 1-3 weeks. She had numerous medical and nutritional interventions to improve her bowel functioning, including extensive laxative use and a diet high in fiber (mostly fruits and vegetables). Additionally, an extensive medical evaluation to look for physiological causes for chronic constipation, including Hirschsprung's disease, was not diagnostic. The patient described purposeful stool withholding due to her concern over painful bowel movements. She also avoided peer activities because she did not want to use toilets outside her home. The patient acknowledged that her disordered eating stemmed largely from her toileting difficulties. She described altering her eating habits to avoid bowel movements (e.g., eating small meals, not eating at school) and anxious thoughts while defecating. Defecation anxiety was now affecting other areas of her life. For example, she frequently used copious amounts of toilet paper to ensure thorough cleaning. The patient's parents confirmed her need to thoroughly clean after toilet use, using "almost half a roll of toilet paper." They described other concerning "routines," including refusing to use towels after showering. She dried herself with a fan because of fear that her towel may be dirty. They indicated that during early adolescence, she frequently washed her face to prevent acne breakouts. This case highlights the complex interplay between constipation, disordered eating, and psychological factors.

Digestive Disorders and Weight Loss

Several digestive diseases can cause weight loss.

Crohn’s Disease: Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that affects the digestive tract, causing inflammation of the lining of the digestive tract, which can lead to abdominal pain, severe diarrhea, fatigue, and weight loss. First, it can lead to malabsorption of nutrients due to small intestinal inflammation.
Diabetes: Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects the way your body processes sugar. It occurs when your body does not produce enough insulin or cannot use insulin properly. Diabetes can cause weight loss in several ways. First, it can lead to increased urination, which causes the body to lose fluids and electrolytes. Additionally, people with diabetes suffer from insufficient insulin, preventing the body from getting glucose from blood cells to use as energy.
Hyperthyroidism: Hyperthyroidism or overactive thyroid is a digestive disorder in which the thyroid gland produces too much of the thyroxine hormone.
Peptic Ulcers: Peptic ulcers are sores in the stomach lining, small intestine, or esophagus due to an infection with a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). Also, the condition may cause obstruction or blockage of food passage through the digestive tract.
Celiac Disease: Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that affects the digestive system. It is caused by an intolerance to gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye, leading to difficulty digesting food. Malabsorption of nutrients or malnutrition.

tags: #constipation #and #weight #loss #causes