Hard stool can have several causes, most of which are harmless. Find out here which home remedies can help and prevent hard bowel movements.
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Reasons for hard bowel movements
Normally, the stool should be of a soft consistency that can be passed without straining or straining.
While hard stools are uncomfortable and sometimes painful, they are usually harmless. Hard stool occurs when it moves through the intestines more slowly than normal, depriving it of water. Its consistency is firmer and can sometimes be crumbly. Excreting the hard stool is usually more difficult and only possible with strong pressing . By the way, hard stool is not constipation. Constipation occurs when fewer than three stools are passed in a week.
Causes of hard bowel movements
There are many reasons why the stool is not soft as usual, but harder. Hard stools can occur quickly, especially when you’ve been drinking little water or not consuming enough fiber. Slow bowel movement can also be responsible for the stool being firmer than usual. This can happen quickly if you have sat a lot during the day and have not moved enough. Likewise, if you have to hold back your bowel movements , the stool can become hard because going to the toilet is not possible.
These 5 home remedies help with hard bowel movements
Enough liquid
As discussed above, not drinking enough water can result in drier and harder stools. If you drink enough water every day, you can easily avoid this cause. We recommend 1.5 to 2 liters of water – more during physical exertion or at high temperatures.
Move
To stimulate your digestion, you should exercise regularly. Even a 20-minute walk after lunch supports the intestines in their work. If you feel the need to go to the bathroom, act on that urge.
High-fiber diet
According to the German Society for Nutrition, you should consume around 30 grams of fiber per day . These can be found in the form of whole grain products, fruit and vegetables, nuts or legumes. Bran, linseed or chia seeds are also particularly high in fiber. You should drink plenty of fluids so that the roughage can swell well in the gastrointestinal tract.
dried fruit
Reach for dried fruit such as dates, apricots, plums or apples. They contain many minerals, which in turn ensures regular digestion and softer stools.
But beware! You should not enjoy more than a handful of dried fruit, as this can lead to abdominal cramps and flatulence.
If you change your habits, you should see improvements soon. If you have hard stools for a long period of time, you should consult a doctor. You may have more serious conditions, such as an underactive thyroid, diabetes, or inflammatory bowel disease.
