13 Surprising Causes of Constipation

What causes constipation? Well, the obvious culprits include a low fiber diet, repeatedly ignoring the urge to go, not drinking enough water, or a lack of exercise. Here are 13 possible causes of constipation you may not have considered.
laxative-constipation

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Laxative overuse

Some laxatives work by stimulating bowel activity. Such stimulant laxatives should be taken only as directed.

If used for long periods of time, stimulant laxatives can lead to dependence, meaning your body simply won’t function properly without them.

Stimulant laxatives include Dulcolax, Ex-Lax, Senna, and others.

Don’t take any medication—including laxatives—for longer than instructed by either the product’s label or your doctor.

Next: Too much dairy

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