A gut feeling about your cardiovascular risks
Around 15% of folks have chronic constipation and only pass small amounts of hard, dry stool two to three times a week. That leads to about 2.5 million doctor visits a year to find out what to do about their strain, pain and no-luck-again struggles.
The backup can be caused by lack of a fiber, dehydration, stress, sedentary lifestyle, and consuming a lot of cheese or milk. Certain conditions such as IBS and pregnancy also can trigger it, as can taking opioid and NSAID pain medications and antidepressants.
We've long known that constipation can lead to hemorrhoids, diverticulitis, and fecal impaction. But a new study says that it also increases your risk for heart attack and stroke. Researchers looked at data from more than 400,0o0 folks and found that those with chronic constipation were 115% more likely to experience a major adverse cardiac event than folks who had regular bowel movements.
That makes it even more urgent to find a solution to your slow-to-go problems. A priority is to increase your fiber intake by eating more 100% whole grains, vegetables, beans and fruit. Also, make sure you're well-hydrated -- with water, not beverages with added sugar or sugar substitutes. Get 30 to 60-plus minutes of vigorous walking or the equivalent daily. And ask your doc if your medications could be the cause. It's also smart to look at supplements that can ease your problem: probiotics, fiber, aloe vera juice, senna and rhubarb. And for more help, check out Dr. Oz's article "Constipation: Causes, Consequences + Treatment" at iHerb.com/blog.
Dr. Mike Roizen is the founder of www.longevityplaybook.com, and Dr. Mehmet Oz is global advisor to www.iHerb.com, the world's leading online health store. Roizen and Oz are chief wellness officer emeritus at Cleveland Clinic and professor emeritus at Columbia University, respectively. Together they have written 11 New York Times bestsellers (four No. 1's).
(c)2024 Michael Roizen, M.D.
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
(c) 2024 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
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