Why didn't I poop today?

Many people have the habit of defecating every day. Developing this good habit is very good for your health, because the main purpose of defecation is to excrete excess toxins and waste from the body. However, some people find that they do not defecate for a day or even several days. When this happens, they will suspect that they have some kind of disease. Is it normal if you don’t have a bowel movement for a day?

1. Does less frequent bowel movements mean constipation?

Under normal circumstances, it usually takes 1 to 2 days for feces to be formed after eating, and the interval between bowel movements is usually 1 to 2 days. Of course, the frequency and habits of bowel movements vary from person to person. Generally, bowel movements are once a day, after breakfast. Some people defecate once every 3 to 5 days or even longer. As long as the shape of the stool is normal, not dry or arid, and there is no difficulty in defecation, it is normal defecation.

2. So what is constipation?

Constipation is characterized by decreased frequency of bowel movements, hard and dry stools, and/or difficulty in defecation. Reduced bowel movement frequency means fewer than 3 bowel movements per week. However, it should be noted that even if the frequency is normal, constipation can still be considered if you often have difficulty defecating, hard stools, or anal swelling or discomfort during defecation. Difficult defecation includes straining during defecation, difficulty in defecation, a feeling of incomplete defecation, time-consuming defecation, and the need for manual defecation assistance. Chronic bowel movements last for at least 6 months.

3. What is the reason for frequent constipation?

1. Bad eating habits

Insufficient mechanical or chemical stimulation from food, or too little or too fine food intake, especially food that lacks a large amount of sediment, reduces intestinal stimulation and weakens reflex peristalsis, causing constipation. In addition, drinking too little water can also cause constipation.

2. Disease factors

Intestinal tumors, intestinal adhesions and inflammation can all cause constipation. In addition, extraintestinal organic diseases such as compression by large masses in the abdominal cavity, hypothyroidism, portal hypertension or heart failure can also cause constipation.

3. Slowed intestinal motility

① People who are bedridden for a long time or the elderly have slow bowel movements due to lack of activity;

② Those who cannot take care of themselves, cannot defecate in time or have no desire to defecate for a long time;

③ The feces absorb too much water, and the body does not replenish enough water, resulting in dry and hard feces that are difficult to pass;

④ Holding back bowel movements for a long time reduces the sensitivity of the intestines to feces, making the urge to defecate even weaker, forming a vicious cycle that leads to constipation.

4. Side effects of medication

Anticholine drugs, opioids, calcium and aluminum preparations, bismuth, antidepressants, ganglionic blockers, etc. can all cause constipation.

4. What to do if you are constipated?

If you encounter constipation, will you go to the hospital? Or buy medicine on your own? Experts say that there are many types of laxatives and laxative products on the market, but most of them can only temporarily relieve symptoms and cannot be used for a long time. Moreover, long-term use of laxatives or unsafe products may cause damage to the autonomous defecation function, colon melanosis, drug dependence, water and electrolyte imbalance and other hazards.

Therefore, once constipation occurs, it is best to undergo relevant professional intestinal examinations first. Even if you need to take medications such as laxatives or enemas, you must do so under the advice and supervision of a professional doctor. But in addition to taking medication, doctors also recommend that patients put more effort into their lifestyle and diet to help themselves quickly improve constipation.

① Ripe banana

Bananas are rich in dietary fiber and sugar, and have a good laxative effect. Eating a banana half an hour after a meal every day for a week can effectively relieve constipation symptoms. However, this effect only works on ripe bananas; raw bananas may have the opposite effect.

② Sweet potatoes

Peel the sweet potatoes, wash them, cut them into small pieces, put them in a cooking pot, add a little water, just enough to cover the surface of the sweet potatoes, and cook them. After the sweet potatoes are cooked, pour in the milk and bring to a boil. Add appropriate amount of white sugar and stir well before eating. This method is very effective for frequent constipation and stubborn constipation.

③ Black Fungus

It is rich in nutrients and can not only help replenish qi and produce blood, but also assist in the treatment of constipation. It is slippery in nature and has the function of moistening the intestines and relieving constipation. It can have a very good effect on people with constipation due to insufficient qi and blood.

④ Honey

Honey is rich in vitamins, minerals and enzymes. Enzymes can help the human body digest, absorb and enhance metabolism.

Most gastrointestinal diseases are caused by daily diet and hygiene habits, so you must pay attention to your daily behavior, develop good hygiene habits and healthy eating habits. Once you have symptoms of indigestion, you must regularly screen for gastrointestinal diseases for early prevention, early detection, and early treatment.