What Causes Constipation & Bloating?
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Fluid Intake
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If a person doesn't get enough water in his diet, the muscle contractions of the colon can begin to slow down and the stool that is produced can become extremely firm and dry. According to the Mayo Clinic, both effects will inevitably result in difficulty in the elimination process of the bowels, causing a person to become constipated and sometimes bloated.
Fiber Intake
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Much like fluids, a person who doesn't get enough fiber in her diet can cause her to suffer from constipation as well as bloating. Fiber essentially keeps a person's stool soft, aiding in the ease of a bowel movement. When there isn't enough fiber, the stool will inevitably harden and become more difficult to pass. After a while, you can begin to become constipated, which can prompt a body to bloat.
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Food Intake
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Going hand-in-hand with fiber, a person's diet can ultimately cause him to begin to experience more bloating than constipation, but both can be present. Some people will have triggers that will prompt bloating as well as constipation when related to a disorder like IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) or IBD (irritable bowel disease). When these triggers are eaten, sometimes in very small amounts, a person can become constipated and bloat.
Physical Activity
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Someone who doesn't get a lot of physical activity, like the elderly or injured, can begin to experience a certain level of constipation. Surprisingly, daily exercise can actually serve to keep the colon (as well as the rest of your internal organs) in tiptop shape. If you're not as healthy, it will eventually take a toll on your colon and cause bouts of constipation.
Medications
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More so a cause of constipation than bloating, but some people begin to suffer from constipation as a result of medication. When a drug, like those employed in the treatment of high blood pressure, depression, pain and other medical conditions, is ingested, the body can react in such a way that the a person will become constipated. This will usually happen at the very onset of the drug and will typically dissipate as the system acclimates to the medication.
Medical Conditions
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Many times, a person's medical condition can cause her to become constipated and bloated. This would be conditions like both IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) or IBD (irritable bowel disease) as well as disorders of thyroid, gastroesophageal reflux disease, diabetes, stroke or a spinal injury. Some people may also experience both constipation and bloating during times of increased hormonal changes, like during pregnancy or menstruation.
Laxatives
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Laxatives can actually have an adverse effect on a person, especially after prolonged use, which can eventually result in constipation. When a person's body gets so used to having something like a laxative in its system, it can result in dependency, meaning that the body will begin to need the substance to eliminate the stool, causing constipation.
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