Page 26 - TRC June Nesletter 2025

HEALTH CORNER

Gut Check -

What Your Poop

Says About Your

Health

Let’s clear something up. Going
two or more days without a bowel
movement is not normal, and
definitely not healthy. Constipation
might feel like a small issue, but it’s
actually your body waving a red
flag—and ignoring it can lead to
deeper problems over time.
HERE’S WHY:

1. YOUR BODY NEEDS TO ELIMINATE WASTE DAILY- WHAT CAUSES SLOW OR INFREQUENT BOWEL
Every single day, your body breaks down food, absorbs MOVEMENTS?
what it needs, and creates waste from what it doesn’t. 1) Low-Salt diet – If you’re not eating enough salt,
That waste needs to leave your system consistently. there are not enough electrolytes for your digestive
If you’re not pooping every day, your digestive system motility.
isn’t completing its natural cycle—and that has 2) Dehydration – Your body needs water to form and
consequences. Waste that stays too long in your gut can move stool. Low water = dry, hard poop.
start to ferment and produce toxins. These toxins can re- 3) Processed foods/junk – Diets high in bread, snacks,
enter your bloodstream and affect your skin, mood, and sugar clog up your digestion.
hormones, and energy levels. So no, going two or three 4) Lack of physical activity – Movement helps stimulate
days without pooping isn’t “your normal.” It’s a sign that bowel activity. A sedentary lifestyle slows it down.
your gut is sluggish or stressed.
6) Ignoring the urge – Constantly holding in the urge to
poop can train your body to become less responsive
2. CONSTIPATION AFFECTS MORE THAN JUST over time.
YOUR STOMACH- When your bowels are backed up, it’s 7) Some medications can also be something more
not just about feeling bloated or heavy. You may start to serious than these.
notice: 8) Influence of hormones especially in females
-Low energy or fatigue.
-Brain fog or irritability. WHAT DOES “NORMAL” LOOK LIKE?
-Skin breakouts (especially around your jawline). You should have at least one complete bowel
-Bad breath. movement every day, ideally at the same time each
-Poor appetite. day. It should feel:
-Disrupted sleep. -Smooth and easy to pass
-Forcing out constipated stool can cause anal fissure, -Formed but not hard
Pile and anal prolapse in a susceptible individual. -Not painful, not rushed
-Followed by a feeling of relief and emptiness

© The Regent College Clinic

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