INTRO:You've got to "GO" but can't! Nearly everyone experiences constipation at some point in their lives, with a recent survey showing that about 16 percent of Americans and a third of those older than 60 suffer from chronic constipation. It’s the reason for millions of clinic visits each year and nearly just as many ER encounters. The number of people admitted to the hospital primarily for constipation has more than doubled since 1997.  Furthermore,  an astonishing 3 out of 5 people who suffer from constipation admit, they have never mentioned it to their Provider! On this episode, I will addresses constipation root causes and some suggestions to help promote regularity.KEY TAKEAWAYS:Bowel movements are a pillar of detoxificationWithout regular bowel movements you can experience a lot of discomfort, brain fog, fatigue, other issues. Constipation feels terrible: bloating, feeling full or distended after eating or even all the time, brain fog, fatigue, straining to go to the bathroom, trouble fully emptying or having complete BM's,  going less than 3 times a week, passing hard stone like or lumpy stools, in extreme cases, some even feel as though there's a blockage.There's many different causes of constipation:  diet, genetic predisposition, colonic motility, and absorption, as well as behavioral, biological, and pharmaceutical factors. Low fiber dietary intake, inadequate water intake, sedentary lifestyle, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), failure to respond to urge to defecate, and slow transit can also contribute.An unbalanced microbiome can also contribute to constipationImportant to look for root causes to address fully and prevent further issuesTHIS WEEK, I SHARED HELPFUL TIPS ON:Recommendations to improve constipation and promote regular BM'sHydration, fiber, movementLifestyle tips and support for ongoing regularityFinding a practitioner to help navigate your health concernsMENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2910654/#:~:text=These%20surveys%20have%20estimated%20that,all%20other%20chronic%20digestive%20conditions.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5976340/#:~:text=Overall%2C%20the%20average%20prevalence%20of,life%2C%20and%20healthcare%20resource%20consumption.WHERE TO FIND CHRISTA AND THE LESS STRESSED LIFE TEAM:Personalized functional medicine with Christa Biegler:http://www.lessstressednutrition.comBook a Call!https://www.christabiegler.com/workwithme?Less Stressed Life Podcast:http://www.lessstressedlife.comLess Stressed Life Facebook Page:https://www.fb.me/christabieglerrd/On IG:@anti.inflammatory.nutritionistShop our Favoriteschristabiegler.com/shop