Weight gain can result from the same behaviours that cause constipation. However, chronic constipation won't cause you to gain weight.
Your scale might increase by a few pounds if you haven't had a bowel movement in a few days. If you're trying to lose weight, this can be annoying.
Continue reading to find out how constipation and weight gain are related. We'll outline the connections between the two and offer doable solutions.
Can constipation cause weight gain?
Although it doesn't lead to weight gain, constipation can momentarily make you feel heavier. This is how it operates.
The contents of your bladder and bowels are included in the weight you see when you weigh yourself on a standard scale as opposed to a body fat scale. Those figures might increase right away following a substantial meal or multiple glasses of water. Additionally, they might be higher at night than in the morning. However, a shift in the scale's reading does not indicate an increase in body mass or fat.
Even after digestion, the substances in your gastrointestinal tract retain their weight and volume. Poop, or faeces, typically weighs between 2.5 ounces and 1 pound. This can translate into 3-5 pounds of stool per day for certain individuals.
The weight of your stool may indicate a higher number on the scale if you are constipated. However, this is a transient illusion. After you've had a full bowel movement, the scale will go down unless you're gaining weight steadily from the foods you eat.
Why does constipation cause weight gain?
Less than three full bowel movements per week are considered constipation.
Even with lifestyle modifications, some medical disorders, like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), can cause persistent constipation that is difficult to treat. Constipation may also be caused by stress. Constipation and weight gain can occasionally be linked to lifestyle choices like not exercising or drinking enough water.
If you eat a lot of low-fiber foods, you might experience constipation and weight gain. Soluble and insoluble fibres are the two different varieties. Both kinds promote regular bowel movements and aid in digestion.
Chronic constipation can be brought on by dehydration. Never abstain from drinking water because it appears to raise the scale. Severe health problems and symptoms such as cramping in the muscles and dizziness can result from dehydration.
And being inactive can. To benefit from physical activity, you don't need to be a professional athlete. Simply make an effort to engage in some physical activity each day.
What can you do about weight gain that’s due to constipation?
Recall that weight fluctuations are normal and do not always indicate that you have gained weight. In case you're constipated and wish to reduce your weight, it will be beneficial to have a thorough bowel movement.
Increasing fluid intake, eating meals high in fibre, and walking after meals might be sufficient to make a difference. Having a warm cup of peppermint tea could be beneficial as well.
Should these remedies prove ineffective, contemplate consuming a laxative or fibre supplement. Don't exceed the recommended dosage and be sure to adhere to the instructions.
Seeking advice from a dietitian, nutritionist, or other specialist could be helpful if your weight gain is consistent.
How can you avoid weight gain if you have constipation?
Try these if you want to prevent gaining weight and have chronic constipation:
- increasing your fluid intake
- consuming foods high in water content, such as pineapple, celery, and melon
- consuming fibre-rich foods such as cruciferous vegetables, apples, and muesli
- replacing meals high in animal protein, like chicken, with high-fibre plant-based proteins, like lentils
- stepping up your physical activity, for example, by going for a walk after meals
- the use of an OTC (over-the-counter) fibre supplement
- attempting a temporary OTC laxative
- using journaling, meditation, or deep breathing to manage your stress
- trying yoga poses for constipation
When to contact a doctor if you have constipation
Constipation occurs occasionally in almost everyone. However, persistent constipation might occasionally be a sign of a medical illness like hypothyroidism or diabetes.
Inform your healthcare provider if you have been constipated for more than a week. They can identify the reason behind your constipation and suggest remedies to ease your symptoms.
What other factors, if any, increase the chance of gaining weight when constipated?
Examining your way of living could reveal information about your susceptibilities to constipation and weight gain. There are a lot of possible reasons you may find.
If you spend most of your workdays working from home, you might be putting in less physical activity. Even though they can be inconvenient, walking to the bus, climbing stairs, and walking to work all burn calories. Both weight gain and constipation can result from reduced movement.
Hormonal status and age may also be factors. During perimenopause and menopause, constipation is frequently experienced, and decreasing or fluctuating hormones, such as oestrogen, have been related by scientists to weight gain.
You might be able to identify more causes if you keep a record including your daily food consumption, mood, bowel movements, and exercise.
What’s the outlook for people who gain weight with constipation?
Constipation-related weight gain can typically be minimised by adopting new lifestyle habits or by getting advice and diagnosis from a doctor. You might be able to identify the causes of your health problems and locate remedies that address both with a little investigation.
FAQs
How much weight does constipation add?
You have constipation. It is regarded as typical to have a bowel movement at least every other day. Constipation can gain two to six pounds, so avoid rigid diets, skip meals, and limit your fluid intake. Reduce constipation by consuming more water, fibre-rich foods, and physical activity.
Can bowel problems cause weight gain?
IBS-related bloating and bowel behaviour fluctuations, particularly when constipation is the prevailing condition, can cause transient weight gain.
Do you gain weight if you don't poop a lot?
Constipation, without getting too squirmy, is the result of waste building up in your digestive tract and forcing you to carry extra weight until it passes. Before getting back on the scale, make sure you're hydrated, eating plenty of fibre, and going for long walks to help yourself become regular.
Can constipation cause a big belly?
Bloating and stomach pain can both be exacerbated by constipation. Bacteria have more time to ferment the contents of your stool in your colon the longer it remains there, which leads to increased gas and bloating.
Takeaway
A low-fibre diet and insufficient exercise are two lifestyle choices that might cause constipation and weight gain. IBS is one example of a health issue that may be the cause.
Lifestyle modifications, such as increasing your physical activity, may be helpful if your weight increase is linked to chronic constipation. Constipation lasting more than a week should be evaluated by a medical practitioner.
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