What Causes Constipation

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After you eat, as food moves through the colon, it absorbs water while forming waste or stool. Muscles in the colon push the stool toward the rectum. By the time stool reaches the rectum, it is solid because most of the water has been absorbed.

The hard and dry stools of constipation occur when the colon absorbs too much water or if the colon's muscles are slow.

People get constipated most often when:

• they do not eat enough fiber in their diet.
• they do not drinking enough liquids.
• they do not exercise.
• they take certain medications.
• they have irritable bowel syndrome (common in women).
• they go through changes in life or routine such as pregnancy, older age, or travel.
• they abuse laxatives.
• they ignore the urge to have a bowel movement.

Constipation is a natural problem for pregnant and postpartum women. Women who are pregnant experience extra pressure on their digestive system because of the weight of the baby. This can cause constipation. There are things expecting mothers can do to lessen the discomfort of constipation.

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