We should all experience regular bowel movement, though it’s something we may not talk about openly.
It’s something that’s important for our health, and it can be really uncomfortable if you struggle to go to the loo. If this is something you experience, there are things you can do to help, and a woman recently shared some simple tips to prevent constipation.
The Good Gut Clinic, based in Bristol, is run by qualified Colonic Hydrotherapist, Carly. The clinic works to help people manage their digestive issues via Colonic Hydrotherapy.
To help people out, Carly often takes to her TikTok channel to share helpful tips. Recently, she advised people how to “prevent constipation”.
Don’t hold it in
The first thing Carly encouraged people to do is avoid rushing. She said to listen to your body, and go to the loo when you need to – this includes being confident enough to use public bathrooms.
If you hold it in, it could prevent your bowels from opening up, which could lead to further problems later down the line.
Stay hydrated
She also said it’s essential to stay hydrated. It’s important to drink plenty of water throughout the day, especially if you’re someone who drinks a lot of tea or coffee or who does a lot of exercise.
It’s important to replenish the water you use, so make sure you keep on top of it. This should help prevent you experiencing constipation.
Eat plenty of fibre
It may seem obvious, but it’s vital to pack plenty of fibre into your diet. According to Carly, this should be “colourful and diverse”.
She said you can do this by mixing your diet up with oats, seeds, fruit and yoghurt. It’s about consuming it in different forms, and not just eating one type of fibre.
If you already experience constipation, she said fibre alone may not help to get it moving, but she noted it “really does help” to prevent you from becoming constipated.
For those who have a sensitive gut, it’s important to introduce more fibre slowly. Don’t take things too quickly.
Understanding constipation
Constipation typically manifests as changes in bowel habits, such as difficulty passing stools or decreased frequency. It’s a widespread issue affecting people of all ages and may result from inadequate fibre or hydration, dietary shifts, insufficient activity and even stress.
Fortunately, constipation often responds well to straightforward dietary and lifestyle adjustments. To counteract the uncomfortable condition, adopting measures like consuming a balanced diet, drinking ample water, limiting alcohol, integrating more movement into daily routines and gradually adding more fibre to meals is advisable.
Although Carly’s advice might be beneficial, it’s always crucial to seek medical advice if you’re worried about the problem, or if it’s not improving. If there’s a significant change in your bowel habits and it’s causing concern, it’s always recommended to reach out to your GP for guidance.