Plus, how to get things moving again. Just in case.
Jenny Chang / BuzzFeed
You're not eating enough fiber.
About a third of people who have constipation are dealing with "low-fiber constipation," Gina Sam, M.D., M.P.H., Director of the Mount Sinai Gastrointestinal Motility Center, tells BuzzFeed Life. Start eating four to five servings of fruits and vegetables a day, and see if that gets things moving again.
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You're dehydrated.
"You basically need water in order for your stool to move through the colon," Sam says. When you don't drink enough water, that can back you up. If you're dealing with constipation, Sam says you should try to drink eight to ten glasses of water a day, and see if that helps a bit.
You're a sedentary creature.
"Moving around helps your colon move," Sam says. So being inactive can exacerbate constipation. Stay regular by making sure you're getting exercise on a regular basis. To help you get started, here are 29 Smart Ways To Motivate Yourself To Work Out.