Why can t i empty my bowels?

Do you ever find yourself sitting on the toilet, straining and pushing until your face turns red, only to produce a measly nugget of poop? Yeah, we’ve all been there. It’s frustrating to feel like you have to go but can’t seem to get anything out. So what gives? Here are some reasons why you might be having trouble emptying your bowels.

Not Enough Fiber

Fiber is important for keeping things moving in your digestive system, but if you’re not getting enough of it then you might find yourself constipated. Fiber adds bulk to your stool and helps it pass through your colon more easily. Without enough fiber, your stool may become hard and difficult to push out.

To up your fiber intake, try adding more fruits and vegetables to your diet or consider taking a fiber supplement such as psyllium husk (yes, that’s a real thing) or ground flaxseed.

Dehydration

Drinking enough water is crucial for maintaining healthy bowel movements, as it keeps everything lubricated down there so that when nature calls, things can slide right on out without any issues. If you’re dehydrated (which many people are), then things can become dried out down below which can result in difficulty passing stool.

Make sure you’re drinking at least 8 glasses of water per day (more if you exercise frequently) and avoid beverages like coffee or alcohol which can actually dehydrate you further due to their diuretic properties.

Medications

Some medications – especially pain pills like opioids – can cause constipation as a side effect. If this is the case, talk with your doctor about possibly switching medications or ways that they may be able help mitigate these effects while still obtaining effective pain relief.

Additionally,constipation itself has multiple remedies including over-the-counter laxatives (again, REAL things!) such as fiber supplements or stool softeners.

Holding it in

If you put off using the restroom when nature calls, your body might start to ignore these signals altogether, which can cause issues with regular bowel movements. Doing this on a frequent basis (such as holding it for extended periods while at work) could lead to chronic constipation and even accidents – so don’t be afraid to take that bathroom break!

Wrong Position

This may sound strange, but pooping posture actually makes a big difference in how well you’re able go. When you sit on the toilet as we’ve all done all our lives…your puborectalis muscle doesn’t fully relax and thus squashes down partially; blocking out any chance of complete defecation.

Squatting… like really squatting is one solution wherethe hips are externally rotatedwhich eliminates almost completely any obstruction caused by puborectalis muscle.
(Yes we know what youre thinking right now “i am never pooping again if i have to do some kinda yoga position just poop”. but trust us IT WORKS)

Another popular solution would be utilizing The Squatty Potty (apparently NOT named after the urban dictionary definition…) raises your feet about 9″ above ground level allowing full unobstructed passage of feces through lower intestine.

Medical Conditions

Sometimes there may be underlying medical conditions that prevent someone from emptying their bowels properly. These conditions can include anal fissures, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), diverticulitis, hemorrhoids or pelvic floor dysfunction (we’re nearly doctors ourselves with these sweet diagnosis skills…almost..but not quite. REMEMBER no self diagnosing! talk with real doctors guys)

It’s important however not to panic- most causes of constipation aren’t serious and addressing them effectively leads often leads Back To Regular Bowel Movements!

Stress

It’s no secret thatstress affects the body in many ways and our digestive system is not immune to this. When we’re stressed, our bodies can enter a fight or flight mode where blood gets redirected away from digestion to other parts of the body.

This puts your bowels on hold much like a pause button – Not The Best Situation for anyone concerned with regular bowel movements. To combat stress-induced constipation, try things such as relaxation techniques ie: taking baths lighting scented candles (our favorite is Rainy Day which smells almost exactly like wet concrete…) or practicing mindfulness methods during really stressful situations(ie:stop everything focusing on breathing & blowing bubbles for several minutes)

So there you have it- some probable reasons why::poop sometimes decide they want some privacy down there.The remedy will usually depend on what caused the problem, but try these tips first and then speak with your doctor if none of them lead to results!

Remember also that making overall changes in lifestyle including diet, exercise levels should be a part of everyone’s lives regardless so; here’s another reason that’s worth adding to Your Behavioral Change List starting right now!

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