What Are the Hazards of Not Having a Bowel Movement for a Prolonged Period?

In daily life, many people experience prolonged constipation or difficulty in defecation. Long-term constipation can have adverse effects on physical health, such as causing dry and hard stool, leading to constipation, and inducing hemorrhoids, which can cause pain during defecation. When symptoms are severe, they can even trigger colorectal cancer, abdominal hernia, and disrupt the body's metabolism.

Hazard 1: Causing Anal Fissure: Long-term constipation and dry stool can cause mechanical trauma during defecation, which is the direct and primary cause of most anal fissures. Patients with anal fissures may avoid defecation due to fear of pain, which can lead to a vicious cycle of constipation and worsening anal fissures.

Hazard 2: Causing Hemorrhoids: Constipation can make defecation difficult, and patients may strain excessively, increasing pressure in the rectum. Over time, this can lead to gradual relaxation of the anal sphincter, damage to the rectal wall, and the formation of venous fistulas, ultimately resulting in hemorrhoids.

Hazard 3: Causing Colorectal Cancer: Long-term constipation can irritate the intestinal wall, leading to the shedding and lesion of the intestinal mucosa. Recent studies have found a significant relationship between constipation and the occurrence of colorectal cancer, especially among elderly patients with constipation.

Hazard 4: Triggering Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases: For patients with constipation and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, especially the elderly, straining during defecation can often lead to an increase in blood pressure and potentially trigger conditions such as cerebral hemorrhage, angina, and myocardial infarction.

Hazard 5: Forming Abdominal Hernia: Difficulty in defecation can lead to excessive straining, which can increase abdominal pressure and cause abdominal organs such as the small intestine to protrude towards the surface of the body, forming an abdominal hernia.

Hazard 6: Reducing Immunity: The intestine is not only an organ for absorbing nutrients but also a significant immune organ in the body. Long-term constipation can affect the normal function of the intestine, leading to metabolic disorders, decreased resistance, and overall detriment to physical health.

Hazard 7: Affecting Skin Health: Long-term constipation in women can cause the intestine to absorb toxins and moisture from feces, leading to dry, rough, and dull skin. It can also lead to the formation of pigmentation and a series of skin problems such as acne and pimples.

Tip 1: Mastering the Timing of Defecation: After breakfast is the best time to develop a bowel movement habit. When food enters the stomach, the brain sends a signal to the intestines to defecate. Therefore, having breakfast regularly can help establish a good habit of defecating after meals. If conditions permit, it is best to go to the toilet immediately when you feel the urge to defecate. Holding it in for too long can weaken the rectum's defecation reflex, leading to constipation over time.

Tip 2: Massaging the Navel to Promote Defecation: Massaging the abdomen can stimulate the intestines and promote defecation. Lie flat on your back and use your index, middle, and ring fingers to massage the area around your navel in a clockwise direction. If you feel bloated, you can press the Tianshu acupoints (located 2 inches beside the navel) while exhaling and relaxing while inhaling. This can help promote gastrointestinal motility and aid in defecation.

Tip 3: Eating More Grains and Mushrooms: Food fiber absorbs water in the intestines, expands, and wraps around harmful substances attached to the intestinal wall, helping to expel them from the body and cleanse the intestines. It is recommended to eat foods rich in dietary fiber, such as green vegetables, fruits, beans, mushrooms, taro, and whole grains.

Tip 4: Keeping the Abdomen Warm: Cold temperatures can decrease the function of the autonomic nervous system, affecting the function of the small and large intestines and triggering constipation. Therefore, it is important to wear appropriate clothing to keep the abdomen warm, especially during colder months. Wearing a vest or abdominal wrap can help maintain warmth.

Tip 5: Drinking Adequate Water: Insufficient water intake in the body is a significant factor leading to constipation. Lack of water can make stool dry and difficult to pass. To prevent and treat constipation, it