Is Constipation One of the Telltale Signs?

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Almost 100% of people who are constipated will experience gas and bloating. Other symptoms include distended or pertuberant belly, nausea, loss of appetite after meals. There are many potential causes for constipation beyond just the movement of the intestines.

The formal definition for constipation is ‘Having fewer than three bowel movements per week’. But, did you know that you can have a bowel movement every day and still be constipated? Recent data has shown that a quarter of people worldwide have at one point reported symptoms, suggesting that there is so much more to constipation than simply infrequent bowel movements.

In today’s short-ish episode of ZOE Science & Nutrition, Jonathan and Will attempt to dispel some misconceptions about constipation and empower you to have better bowel movements.

Studies referenced in today’s episode:

A redefinition of constipation by King’s College London, published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology (2019) here
The State Of The Nation’s Gut, Love Your Gut here
Epidemiology of constipation in Europe and Oceania: a systematic review from Prichard & Bharucha via BMC Gastroenterol here
Recent advances in understanding and managing chronic constipation from Peppas, Alexiou, Mourtzoukou & Falagas via F1000Research here

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