Suffering constipation from time to time is very normal, but when it is severe the usual symptoms (bloating and abdominal pain) can develop into a colon blockage, which requires a more invasive treatment than a simple laxative.
To avoid reaching this situation, it is important that you take measures as soon as you feel that there has been a blockage in the pipes, such as keep moving and never do the following things:
Eat processed foods
Its high fat content slows down digestion and contributes to constipation. In addition, they are loaded with fructans, carbohydrates that increase the shelf life of packaged foods, but boycott our natural digestive processes. This is because the intestines do not have the necessary enzymes to break them down properly. Fructans are found in several common foods (bread, cookies, pasta) and have been linked to gastrointestinal symptoms such as bloating, diarrhea, gas, and constipation.
Drinking alcohol or coffee
When suffering from constipation, it is advisable to avoid coffee and all kinds of alcoholic beverages. Yes, also that glass of wine from dinner. The reason is that they strip the body of hydration necessary for proper bowel movement, something that contributes to aggravate the symptoms. In the case of caffeine, being a stimulant, it can cause the opposite effect (diarrhea) in some people.
Abusing dairy
You will get rid of a lot of problems if you say "no" to milk, ice cream, cheeses, yogurts, etc, when you are constipated. And it is that if we add the swelling that these cause to constipation, things will undoubtedly end up getting very ugly. People with lactose intolerance have a deficiency of the enzyme lactase in the gut, which is necessary to break down dairy into simple sugars that can be absorbed through the small intestine.
Take analgesics
There are many medications that can contribute to constipation, including over-the-counter and nonprescription pain relievers such as ibuprofen and naproxen. Switching to acetaminophen should help you unclog the pipes, but before making any decision, consult your doctor, especially if you are following any type of medical treatment.