TeenHealthFX - Answers - Constipated And Worried

Feces, Poop & Butt Issues / Question
Published: June 11, 2008

Dear TeenHealthFX,

I have been eating a no-fried food, watery (6-14 cups a day), high fiber (veggies), lean meat and low carbs diet but it doesn't seen to encourage bowel movement and i can't poop much, which causes me a lot of frustration and i feel extremely uncomfortable. On the few occassions that i can poop, my feces are usually the size of marbles and they are hardened. I usually feel dehydrated even though i drink lots of water everyday... i know this is weird but i am so worried, please help me!

Signed: Constipated And Worried

Dear Constipated And Worried,

If you are having infrequent bowel movements, and the stool you do pass is hard and dried out, it is very possible that you are dealing with constipation. Since it appears that you are constipated, and you are feeling dehydrated despite drinking 6-14 cups of water a day, TeenHealthFX recommends that you speak with your primary care physician or adolescent medicine specialist to find out what is contributing to your symptoms and to learn how you can effectively treat them.

If you don't have a doctor and live in northern New Jersey, you can call the Adolescent/Young Adult Center for Health at 973-971-6475 for an appointment. You can also contact your local teen health center or call your insurance company for a list of in-network primary care physicians or adolescent medicine specialists.

To learn more about signs, causes, prevention, and treatment of constipation, please read through the following:

Signs and symptoms of constipation include:

Passing a hard stool fewer than three times a week.
Straining during bowel movements.
Having abdominal bloating or discomfort.

Causes of the intestinal slowdown that contributes to constipation:

Inadequate fluid intake
A low-fiber diet
Inattention to bowel habits
Age
Lack of physical activity
Pregnancy
Illness
Medications. Many medications, including those used to treat Parkinson's disease, high blood pressure, and depression, also can cause constipation. The same is true of many narcotics.
Over-using or abusing laxatives. Frequent use of laxatives often aggravates and may even eventually cause constipation.
Physical illness. In rare cases, constipation may signal more serious medical conditions, such as colorectal cancer, hormonal disturbances or autoimmune diseases.

Treatment:

Generally, constipation is treated by lifestyle changes that will help to ease symptoms. This may include using a fiber supplement, such as oat bran, Metamucil, Konsyl, or Citrucel. These are natural supplements that help to make the stools softer and that are safe to use every day. When taking these fiber supplements, be sure to drink plenty of water or they can actually make the constipation worse. Keep in mind that many people find it helpful to introduce these supplements slowly to the diet to avoid any problems with gas.

There may be times that your doctor will recommend a stool softener to soften fecal matter so that it can pass more easily through your intestines. However, these should not be used on a regular basis as they can cause other problems.

General guidelines for preventing constipation:

Eat foods rich in fiber on a regular basis. This includes fruits, vegetables, beans and whole-grain cereals and breads. Experiment to see if particular fruits or vegetables have a laxative effect for you.
Limit problem foods. Foods that are high in fat and sugar, and that tend to be low in fiber content, such as ice cream, cheese and processed foods, may cause or aggravate constipation.
Drink plenty of liquids.
Increase your physical activity. Engage in regular exercise, such as walking, biking, or swimming, on most days.
Do not delay going to the bathroom when you feel the urge to go. The longer you wait to go to the bathroom once you feel the urge to go, the more water that gets absorbed from the stool and the harder it becomes.
Try fiber supplements. Over-the-counter products such as Metamucil and Citrucel can help keep stools soft and regular. Check with your doctor about using these kinds of supplements. Be sure to drink plenty of water every day while taking these supplements, otherwise fiber supplements can cause or worsen constipation. Add fiber to your diet slowly to avoid problems with gas.
Do not rely on stimulant laxatives. Products like Correctol and Dulcolax cause muscle contractions in the intestines and can therefore help with constipation. However, habitual use of these products can damage your bowels and worsen constipation – and long-term use of laxatives can cause dependency. For occasional relief try saline laxatives, such as milk of magnesia, a product that works by drawing water into the colon to allow stool to pass more easily.
Find healthy ways to manage stress and other negative emotions. Some people find that stress, depression, anger and other negative emotions can actually contribute to various digestive and intestinal problems. Counseling to help an individual learn to better manage these types of feelings can indirectly end up helping issues such as constipation, diarrhea, or stomach pains. FX would like to stress that it is important to meet with a medical professional to rule out any underlying medical issues before attributing the cause as mainly being an emotional one.

If you live in northern New Jersey and need help finding a therapist you can call the Access Center from Atlantic Behavioral Health at 973-247-1400. Outside of this area you can log onto the US Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website for referrals in your area. You can also contact your insurance company to get a list of in-network mental health providers.

Signed: TeenHealthFX