Bowel movements are very important for health. If bowel movements are not regular, toxins can accumulate in the body and it can negatively affect skin health. Especially, constipation can also decrease the quality of life. We will look into symptoms that may indicate constipation and foods that can help.

First, stool is excreted after enough residue from undigested and unabsorbed food, as well as intestinal microorganisms, accumulates in the body. Since the amount of food intake varies from person to person, the frequency of bowel movements also differs.

However, if you have bowel movements more than three times a week but need to exert excessive force, experience residual stool sensation, or perform manual maneuvers such as manually removing stool from the anus or pressing on the perineum, it may actually be constipation, and it is advisable to visit a hospital to determine the exact condition.

Checking the shape of stool is also a method. In the case of spastic constipation, small, round stools similar to rabbit droppings are seen daily or every other day. Relaxation constipation is characterized by irregular bowel movements and the passing of large, hard stools at once. Relaxation constipation usually occurs due to decreased colon motility, which weakens the force pushing stool out of the anus.

However, when taking psyllium husk to relieve constipation, you must drink plenty of water. 

Otherwise, dietary fiber can harden in the intestines and worsen constipation. Additionally, people who are allergic to the psyllium husk raw material itself may experience symptoms such as rash, redness, or itching when consuming it, and should stop taking it immediately if symptoms appear.