Here's how constipation can be an indicator of underlying health problems

A person's bathroom habits reveal a lot about their overall health. While it differs from person to person based on their unique lifestyle, including eating habits and exercise, bowel movement schedule can be a telling indicator of a person's well-being. Changes in stool color, shape, and texture can reveal signs of gastric infections, digestive problems, or even more serious issues like cancer. Therefore, most diagnostic tests for any treatment include stool examinations, which can give doctors detailed information about a person's gut health and any underlying problems.

Here's what your bowel movement calendar might be trying to tell you.

According to studies, normal bowel movements vary from person to person. While some people may have to poop three times a day, others may do so three times a week. However, any change in the consistency, color, or texture of stool or increasing difficulty in passing stool can indicate a problem. If a person poops less than three times a week, it is a clear indication of constipation.

The Hindustan Times quoted Dr Ronak Tate, consultant gastroenterologist at Fortis Hiranandani Hospital, as saying, “Changing lifestyle is making this problem of constipation ubiquitous across the world. It should not be ignored as it needs proper and timely treatment. This applies to constipation affecting both children and adults, including geriatric individuals. Constipation unquestionably has to do with less frequency of defecation, difficulty in passing stool and taking too long to go to the toilet, but it also has to do with loud and unpleasant flatulence and equally loud belching.”

Constipation can be a direct result of dehydration and a lack of fiber-rich foods in the diet. The doctor told the publication that hemorrhoids, fissures, anal fistulas, hernias, and rectal prolapse are consequences of severe long-term constipation, with many even needing surgery. Studies have also suggested that gastrointestinal disorders are likely to occur in people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Parkinson's disease, depression, and dementia. Dr. Ronak Tate mentioned that the occurrence of constipation can be an indicator of colon cancer. Therefore, people should resort to proper treatment for a better quality of life.

“Constipation in most cases has become a symbol of a sedentary lifestyle, where people are more prone to ingest poorly prepared and unnutritious food from outside. Indigestion, heartburn, bloating, acid reflux and chest pain are symptoms associated with an unhealthy lifestyle, including diet, sleep, stress, lack of exercise, etc. Our diet needs fiber and adequate hydration; without both present in sufficient quantities, it will be more difficult to maintain a normal bowel movement schedule. However, many times, what constipation means is a deeper problem that will go untreated if proper awareness is not created about it,” the doctor stressed.

Healthy bowel movements can be maintained by eating a balanced, high-fiber diet, staying hydrated, and exercising regularly. People can also undergo colonoscopies to rule out complications with their bowel movements.