Inadequate bowel movement came calling again

I took a little break away from writing due to a small health issue that has to do with inadequate bowel movement, or should I call it lack of bowel movement? I am certain there is a precise term for it in medical dictionaries. I will leave that for the pros to find out.

What exactly happened to me is that I lost the urge to empty my bowel for almost a week. While some people may not consider this a big deal, I do. This is because I am used to emptying my bowel virtually every day. Now imagine not even getting the urge to do it for a whole week. Something is definitely off.

The first time I experienced this condition was about 7 years ago when I had an episode of food poisoning that almost took my life left for a quick medical intervention. The series of IV fluids and drugs left me unable to empty my bowel for about 3 weeks. At least, that's what I logically concluded.

This time, I also had a reason to undergo antibiotic treatment. It was primarily due to a wound I sustained and an antibiotic was given as prophylaxis. The lack of bowel movement started on the second day of starting the antibiotic regime. In other words, both of the cases I've experienced were preceded by an antibiotic regime.

^{Stomach anatomy. This work by Cenveo is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 United States (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/).}

Possible causes of lack of bowel movement

If you have ever experienced the discomfort and frustration of being unable to have a bowel movement, know that you're not alone. Constipation affects millions of people every year, and it can have a variety of causes. Some of the possible causes from research findings are the following:

Diet

According to scientific investigations, one of the primary causes of constipation is a poor diet. If your diet is lacking in fiber, you may find that you have difficulty passing stools. Fiber is an essential nutrient that helps to bulk up your stools and make them easier to pass. Without enough fiber in your diet, your stools may become hard and difficult to pass, leading to constipation.

Could this be the reason behind my own case?

I am certain the answer is negative. Fiber represents a large percentage of every food I take. Thus, inadequate fiber is ruled out.

Dehydration

Another common cause of constipation is dehydration. If you're not drinking enough water, your body may struggle to produce soft, well-formed stools. This can lead to constipation and discomfort. To prevent this, it is recommended to make sure that plenty of water is taken throughout the day. A minimum of 8 glasses of water per day, and more for those that are physically active or live in a hot climate.

In my own case, I do try to take as much water as possible every day. Sometimes, I fall short of the daily minimum requirement. Other times, I exceed the daily requirement. Thus, the chances that my lack of bowel movement is caused by my inadequate daily intake of water is low.

Lack of exercise

Now, this sounds plausible in my own case.

Physical activity is also an essential factor in maintaining regular bowel movements. When you exercise, you help to stimulate the muscles in your intestines, which can help to move waste through your digestive system more efficiently. According to findings, if you're not getting enough exercise, your bowels may become sluggish, and you may experience constipation.

The truth is, I have not been engaging myself in enough physical exercise since the rainy season subsided. Gardening makes me to be physically active and there are minimal gardening activities without rain.

Stress

I never knew that stress can also play a role in your bowel movements until recently. Findings have shown that when you're under stress, your body produces a hormone called cortisol, which can affect your digestive system. In some people, high levels of cortisol can slow down bowel movements, leading to constipation. If you're experiencing chronic stress, it's important to find ways to manage it to help support healthy digestion.

Medications

Certain medications can also contribute to constipation. For example, pain medications, antacids, and some antidepressants have been researched to slow down bowel movements and make it more difficult to pass stools. If you're taking any medications and experiencing constipation, you are supposed to speak to your doctor to see if there are any alternatives that may be more suitable for you.

How to solve the lack of bowel movement problem

When I first had the issue of lack of bowel movement, I explored several solutions - both conventional and unconventional ones. At some points, I thought about visiting the hospital for a solution but as nature will have it, the problem got solved without having to. Some of the solutions explored include taking liquid paraffin and fruit smoothies. I can't say specifically that this is the solution that worked but I know that I was able to pass a stool after taking fruit smoothies.

The most recent one was less traumatizing than the first one and I was able to get a solution by doing sit-ups for 3 consecutive days and taking excessive water.

Away from my own solutions, some of the medically recommended solutions against lack of bowel movement include increasing fiber and water intake, exercising regularly, establishing regular bowel habits, and taking over-the-counter laxatives or stool softeners as directed by a healthcare provider. In some cases, prescription medications or other medical treatments may be necessary. It's important to talk to a healthcare provider to determine the best course of treatment for individual needs.

What do you think?