9 symptoms of constipation (and how to relieve it)

The main symptoms of constipation are difficulty in evacuating, very dry stools, swelling of the belly, straining to evacuate, constant abdominal pain, general malaise and a feeling of incomplete evacuation.

Symptoms of constipation tend to cause a lot of discomfort and are more common in people who have a diet low in fiber, consume little water during the day and do not practice physical activity on a regular basis. Furthermore, symptoms of constipation appear more frequently in women and older people, as well as in people who have hormonal changes. Learn about other causes of constipation.

To alleviate the symptoms of constipation, it is important to increase your daily consumption of foods rich in fiber, drink plenty of water and practice physical activity regularly. In some cases, especially when the person has not had a bowel movement for more than 5 days or when the symptoms are very intense, it is important to consult a gastroenterologist.

Main symptoms

The main symptoms of constipation are:

1. A lot of effort to evacuate;
2. Very hard and dry poop;
3. Stools that cause bleeding when released;
4. Sensation of incomplete evacuation;
5. Constant abdominal pain and discomfort;
6. Feeling of excess gas;
7. Belly swelling;
8. Bad mood and easy irritability;
9. General malaise.

In addition, some people may also experience a stabbing pain in the chest region, which occurs due to the accumulation of gases and increased pressure in the intestine, which end up pushing on other organs in the abdominal region.

Because bowel movements are difficult and often painful, it is common for people who have prolonged constipation to also have anal fissures or hemorrhoids. Find out more about constipation.

Make an appointment with your nearest gastroenterologist to assess the possibility of constipation:

How to relieve

To alleviate the discomfort caused by constipation, it is important to adopt habits that help improve intestinal transit, promoting the elimination of feces. So, it’s interesting:

• Increase consumption of foods rich in fiber, such as unpeeled fruits, flour and whole grains;
• Increase water consumption during the day;
• Practice physical activity regularly;
• Consume more good fats, such as avocado, coconut oil and olive oil, for example;
• Consume probiotic foods, such as natural yogurt.

Furthermore, it is also important to go to the bathroom whenever you feel like it and sit in the correct position to facilitate the passage of feces through the intestine and not cause discomfort. See more tips on what to do to combat constipation.

Also see in the following video how food can help alleviate the symptoms of constipation: