HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU HAVE A BOWEL MOVEMENT?
“Doctor, the pills are good for nothing. I have told you, how hard I am to move. I ought to know something about my constitution.”
- Tobias Smollett (1721-1771 )
How often should you have a bowel movement was the most common question I was asked during my many years of gastroenterology practice.
Most people have one bowel movement (BM) every day but this is not a rule. Some people, especially vegetarians, move their bowels two or three times a day. Some people move their bowels every other day or every third day. But if you move your bowels less than twice a week, you are constipated. However, casual constipation is not a disease, it happens very often. There are many reasons for casual constipation with dietary changes coming first. If you eat less leafy vegetables, salads or fruits, your diet contains less fiber. The amount of fiber is very important for bowel function. Fiber forms the bulk of the stool and retains water, which makes the stool softer. Softer stool is easier to move and evacuate. Another benefit of fiber, besides preventing constipation, is that it is the food source for billions of friendly bacteria that live in our guts. In addition, fiber helps to protect us against colon cancer.
Another cause of casual constipation is drinking less water. Less water causes the stool to dry up and causes constipation; because dry stool is hard to move.
Sedentary life style is another cause of constipation.
Many drugs, among them pain medications, narcotics, calcium, iron pills and blood pressure medications are leading cause of constipation.
As long as you feel okay, you should not worry about occasional constipation. It is a myth that stool is a waste product, or that it contains toxic substances and if you are constipated body could absorb these toxins. It never happens. There is no reason to get concerned and immediately take colon cleansing enemas. All you have to do is to change your diet, drink more water, be physically active, establish a routine going to the bathroom and, if necessary take some non-stimulant, over the counter laxatives. Laxatives should never be taken every day. Over time, they become less effective and could cause some unwanted complications.
However, if your constipation is associated with alarming symptoms, such as severe abdominal pain, bleeding, weight loss, bowel habit changes, these are the signs of a serious illness.Therefore you must see your gastroenterologist doctor for necessary tests, diagnosis and treatments.
