8 Tips to Relieve Hypothyroidism-Related Constipation

Do you badly want to get rid of constipation-triggered hypothyroidism? It's a common problem that many of us could face. And it's indeed frustrating, to be honest. Luckily, you can try some easy hacks to get rid of it. In this regard, we are going to share with you eight tips. You can try these tips to keep constipation at bay. Plus, you can start feeling better ASAP. Moreover, these tips will help improve your gut health and make going a lot easier. Let's dive in!

Eight Tips to Keep Hypothyroidism-triggered Constipation at a Bay

Constipation is a common digestive issue when someone has trouble passing stools or has irregular bowel motions. Constipation brought on by hypothyroidism develops due to the body's slowed metabolic rate impacting the digestive system's capacity to pass waste via the large intestine.

1. Increase Your Fiber Intake

Constipation can be relieved, and regular bowel movements can be supported by consuming a fibre-rich diet. Fibre gives faeces bulk, which helps them go through the intestines more easily. It also helps to regulate the digestive system. That's by ensuring food moves through the intestines at the right pace.

Soluble and insoluble fibres are two different types. Water dissolves soluble fibre, forming a gel- like material that slows digestion. This fibre is present in fruits, vegetables, barley, oats, and other grains. Contrarily, insoluble fibre does not dissolve in water and travels through the digestive system relatively unaffected. This kind of fibre is present in seeds, nuts, and wheat bran.

As part of a balanced diet, consume a range of high-fibre foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes. It is advised by medical experts believe that an adult should consume at least 25 grams of fibre per day.

2. Stay Hydrated

Water might help soften your stools and make it easier to pass when you drink sufficient of it. Aim for 8 to 10 glasses of water a day, minimum. Also, it's critical to stay away from beverages with alcohol and caffeine that might dehydrate you. Because they cause the body to retain less water, these drinks might lead to constipation.

How to Stay Hydrated?

First, drink plenty of fluids throughout the day. Water is always a good choice, but you can also get fluids as well. For example, soup, juice, and milk all contain water.

Second, avoid dehydration by avoiding diuretics. These are substances that make you urinate more frequently. It can lead to dehydration. Caffeine and alcohol are two common diuretics. So, if you're going to drink coffee or alcohol, be sure to balance it out with plenty of water.

Finally, if you're sweating a lot, replenish your fluids. Sports drinks can help here. They often contain electrolytes that help prevent dehydration. However, water is still the best choice for staying hydrated.

3. Exercise Regularly

Exercise can boost digestion and stimulate bowel movements. Attempt 30 minutes or more a day of moderate-intensity exercise. Daily exercise can aid in lowering stress, which can worsen constipation. Stretching and motion-based exercises, like yoga or Pilates, can be very helpful.

There are a few tips to keep in mind.

Try and work on your posture. Slouching can put extra pressure on your already full intestines. Thus, it can make it harder for stool to pass through. Thus, try sitting up straight or standing up tall to take the pressure off.

Avoid hard-to-digest foods. Foods high in fat or gluten can make constipation worse. So try to limit your intake of these items.

Walking or swimming are both good options. They help get things moving along internally.

4. Try Probiotics

Probiotics are good bacteria that naturally thrive in the gut and can improve gut health and alleviate constipation. The balance of gut bacteria might get out of balance as a result of the use of antibiotics, stress, or an unbalanced diet. These living microorganisms can assist in re- establishing that balance.

Probiotics may be especially helpful for people who develop constipation due to hypothyroidism, according to multiple research. The symptoms of constipation in persons with hypothyroidism were reduced by probiotic supplementation, according to research published in the Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility.

5. Avoid Foods That Can Cause Constipation

Some foods may slow down digestion and cause constipation. Dairy products, steak, and processed foods are among them. Processed foods are widely available; they lack fibre and are high in fat, sugar, and salt. To help prevent constipation, eat a balanced meal rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes. These foods can help with regular bowel movements because of their high fibre content.

6. Manage Stress

Constipation may occur from disturbed digestive processes brought on by stress. Stress causes your body to produce hormones that might slow down your digestion and make it challenging to pass stools. Constipation may result from changes in intestinal bacteria brought on by stress.

Try stress-reduction methods like yoga, meditation, or deep breathing to reduce your stress. These activities can promote relaxation and help the body produce fewer stress hormones. Also, it's critical to get adequate sleep because insufficient sleep can worsen stress and constipation.

7. Take Thyroid Medication as Prescribed

Medication for hypothyroidism management can assist in balancing hormone levels, which can improve digestion and ease constipation. It is crucial to take thyroid medication as per your doctor's advice. Skipping doses or using too much of a medication can cause further issues and make your constipation symptoms worse.

Also, it's essential to visit your doctor routinely in order to track your thyroid function and, if necessary, adjust the number of your meds.

8. Consider Laxatives

Consult your doctor about using laxatives to treat your constipation if other treatments don't work. Medications known as laxatives can encourage bowel movements and treat constipation. However, it's important to only use laxatives when prescribed by a doctor, as excessive use can result in reliance and other side effects.

Laxatives come in a variety of forms, such as bulk-forming, stimulant, and osmotic laxatives. Bulk- forming laxatives make faeces easier to pass by adding mass to them. In order to move waste through the digestive system, the intestines' muscles are stimulated by stimulant laxatives. By pulling water into the intestines, osmotic laxatives soften faeces and make them simpler to pass.

It's important to keep in mind that laxatives should only be used as a short-term solution for constipation. Use on a regular basis could lead to dependency and other issues.

End Thoughts

Overall, hypothyroidism-related constipation can be a difficult condition to manage. Good news- you can always keep it under control with lifestyle changes and treatments. Just follow these eight tips outlined in this article, and you will get some relief from hypothyroidism-related

constipation. However, don't forget to consult your doctor before trying any new diet or supplements. Also, seek advice on how best to treat your individual case of hypothyroidism- related constipation with ease. Hopefully, these tips will help relieve your symptoms and get you feeling better soon!