Your Health Saudi Magazine مجلة دليلك الصحي Oct 2013 | Page 38

MYTH: If you don’t have a bowel
movement daily, you are abnormal.
FACT: Not true! Not everyone has
a bowel movement every day, and
it doesn't mean something's wrong
if you don't. Frequency of bowel
movements is an individual thing.
Consult with your doctor to discuss
your own situation and determine if
your frequency of bowel movements is
right for you.
MYTH: Infrequent bowel movements
are bad for your health. There are
toxins that build up in your colon that
can lead to bigger problems.
FACT: Contrary to popular belief,
there is no evidence that "toxins"
accumulate when bowel movements
are infrequent or that constipation
leads to disease such as cancer.
However, if you are still constipated
after trying fiber, laxatives, or milk of
magnesia, it is time to consult a doctor
for an evaluation.
MYTH: The number of bowel
movements increases with age.
FACT: Actually, lots of people of
all ages experience constipation at
some time. Babies, children and
adults of all ages can have occasional
constipation. Elderly people do have a
greater tendency to have constipation,
sometimes related to food choices and
inactivity. Older people tend to have
more medical conditions and also take
more medications, both of which can
contribute to constipation.
MYTH: Constipation is caused by
poor nutrition alone.

38 |YOUR HEALTH MAGAZINE OCT. 2013

photo by silwan anwar