I am constipated and have no clue as to why

2

Replies

  • PlasticGains
    PlasticGains Posts: 76 Member
    Sugar free candy ;)

    Haribo gummi bears, specifically?

    Well any type actually. Most sugar free candy has sugar alcohols in them.

    Oh yes I heard about sorbitol and such
  • Redordeadhead
    Redordeadhead Posts: 1,188 Member
    You haven't answered yet: how much do you weigh and how many grams of fat do you eat per day?
  • RadishEater
    RadishEater Posts: 470 Member
    Timing could be important! I went to the Dr for a similar reason, she suggested a fiber supplement which has both types. With fruits and veggies it is hard to tell what fiber you are low on.

    But more importantly, when are you eating your probiotic food? If I skip eating yogurt as the first thing in the morning i'll be constipated. But 2-5 oz of yogurt is all it takes.

    I eat yogurt for lunch every day but somehow that doesn't help at all. It has to be yogurt+benefiber (im trying to wean off benefiber since it is expensieve) in the morning.

    I also got in the habit of drinking lots of fluids as soon as I wake up.

  • diannethegeek
    diannethegeek Posts: 14,776 Member
    arobey11 wrote: »
    From your post, it isn't clear whether you added an egg to your usual daily routine, or you ate an egg once and expected that to make you suddenly feel more regular. Since your diary isn't open, I can't see what your fat/protein/fiber ratios are. However, for me, if I don't keep my fiber, fat, and protein somewhat balanced (I aim for exceeding my protein goals, while still hitting my fiber goals and then fill in the rest with fats), I can have all sorts of bowel issues from one end of the spectrum to the other (thanks, IBS). Another thing that helps me TREMENDOUSLY with regularity is exercise. Even taking a walk can help sometimes.

    How do you open your diary

    I didn't see anyone answer this. Go to Settings > Diary Settings > and then choose Public.
  • diannethegeek
    diannethegeek Posts: 14,776 Member
    Also to add into my post, does intermittent or things like the one meal a day diet or fasting In general cause constipation? My aunt was face timing me and mentioned that if I skip breakfast my digestive system or system wouldnt run as well

    I can't see this being an issue. I've used Intermittent Fasting off and on and never noticed a change in my digestion. Maybe someone with more expertise can chime in.
  • PlasticGains
    PlasticGains Posts: 76 Member
    You haven't answered yet: how much do you weigh and how many grams of fat do you eat per day?

    154-158 and since I'm constipated sometimes 162ish. I usually weigh 152 and I eat about 40g fats
  • PlasticGains
    PlasticGains Posts: 76 Member
    Timing could be important! I went to the Dr for a similar reason, she suggested a fiber supplement which has both types. With fruits and veggies it is hard to tell what fiber you are low on.

    But more importantly, when are you eating your probiotic food? If I skip eating yogurt as the first thing in the morning i'll be constipated. But 2-5 oz of yogurt is all it takes.

    I eat yogurt for lunch every day but somehow that doesn't help at all. It has to be yogurt+benefiber (im trying to wean off benefiber since it is expensieve) in the morning.

    I also got in the habit of drinking lots of fluids as soon as I wake up.

    I cant stand the taste of greek yogurt plain. What do you eat?
  • lmew91
    lmew91 Posts: 88 Member
    edited September 2018
    Magnesium supplement at night before bed and a cup of coffee in the morning works for me... but everyone is different.

    Also @Rocknut53 Preach!!

    Edited to add: I do eat about 30-35g fiber every day, and a decent amount of fats varying from day to day. So it's not like I'm relying on just the above-mentioned things.
  • cheryldumais
    cheryldumais Posts: 1,907 Member
    I also take a regular magnesium supplement (500 mg magnesium citrate). If you use it start small and work up or you may get diarrhea. I tried probiotics, fibre etc, no help. Sugar free Wintergreen lifesavers also help, lol. They're full of sorbitol.
  • fitoverfortymom
    fitoverfortymom Posts: 3,452 Member
    My friends a mathamatition and when he's constipated he works it out with a pencil......


    I'll get my coat :D

    Plz see yourself out. :D
  • fitoverfortymom
    fitoverfortymom Posts: 3,452 Member
    Also to add into my post, does intermittent or things like the one meal a day diet or fasting In general cause constipation? My aunt was face timing me and mentioned that if I skip breakfast my digestive system or system wouldnt run as well

    I can't see this being an issue. I've used Intermittent Fasting off and on and never noticed a change in my digestion. Maybe someone with more expertise can chime in.

    I'm IF about 6 days of the week. I would say it's slowed things down a little, but when it does happen...it HAPPENS...not in a hard-to-go-constipated way, though.

    I vote for the following:
    • Take something like Miralax for some reliable relief (could be a few hours to 1 day)
    • See a doctor if it persists
  • davidylin04
    davidylin04 Posts: 26 Member
    Hydration?
  • ShellyMacchi
    ShellyMacchi Posts: 975 Member
    As other people have mentioned, seeing the Dr for advice for you specifically would be best idea.

    That being said, Personally I have been dealing with a pain issue the last two months, and as a result, having to take pain meds (over-the counter strength only) every day. (I realize this may not be your situation, I just offer it as an example of yet another possible cause that often gets overlooked).

    I discovered that I only started having constipation issues after starting the pain meds. (and in looking back over the past year, the constipation (for me) has always coincided with more than a day or two of oral pain meds).
    I switched to topical pain meds, acupuncture and chiropractor (still searching for alternate, less disruptive pain solutions)... to eliminate the oral pain meds... et voila! Back to normal for me (ie: no constipation).

    Worth a conversation with your Dr. for sure if nothing else (food intake related) seems to be helping.
  • PlasticGains
    PlasticGains Posts: 76 Member
    Hydration?

    1 gallon at least daily
  • cerise_noir
    cerise_noir Posts: 5,468 Member
    nutmegoreo wrote: »
    Hydration?

    1 gallon at least daily

    That amount of fluid over a period of time can deplete your electrolytes. Are you getting enough sodium, magnesium, calcium, and potassium?

    Very good point! A gallon is far too much.

    Start monitoring your urine color and aim for pale yellow (which indicates sufficient hydration).

  • PAV8888
    PAV8888 Posts: 14,202 Member
    edited September 2018
    Normal water balance is around 2550ml from all sources including food. If the person is a heavy sweating exerciser... that can tip to a gallon....
  • musicfan68
    musicfan68 Posts: 1,143 Member
    I regularly drink almost a gallon of fluids a day. I shoot for 100 oz and hit 120 a few times a week. I don't have an electrolyte problem.
  • starkspot
    starkspot Posts: 15 Member
    edited September 2018
    yukfoo wrote: »
    Try a tablespoon of psyllium husk a day mixed with at least 8oz of water. I've been taking it for years and having a health bm every morning at exactly 6:30 Am. ( Just wish I could wake up before 7 ). Slowly ( a couple of weeks) to 2 tbsp a day and you'll be "good to go"... So to speak.

    Never had an issue with constipation until I started working out 6 days a week. MFP was saying I needed 30g of dietary fiber per day, and that didn’t even start to get things moving. I upped my fiber intake to 60-100g per day with the food I was eating (lots of blackberries in protein shakes), and that helped, but still not quite “regular.” One dose of psyllium husk powder per day fixed the problem.
  • DanyellMcGinnis
    DanyellMcGinnis Posts: 315 Member
    Sugar free candy ;)

    Haribo gummi bears, specifically?

    Well any type actually. Most sugar free candy has sugar alcohols in them.

    Read the Amazon reviews for the Haribo sugar free gummy bears and you will get the reference.