Don't Regularly Defecate Every Day, Normal Or Signs There Are Health Problems?

Illustration of people who want to defecate (Photo: Freepik/jcomp)

JAKARTA - Many people think that defecating every day is a sign of a healthy intestine. In fact, according to experts, not everyone needs to defecate every day to stay healthy.

"It's okay if you don't defecate every day, because everyone has their own normal version. If it's like throwing garbage, the important thing is to do it regularly. So even if it's not every day, the important thing is to stay routine," explained Amanda Sauceda, MS, RDN, quoted from the Eating Well page.

It's not dangerous if you don't defecate every day. You can still be healthy even though the defecation frequency is not every day.

The habit of defecating varies. If someone defecates between three times a week to three times a day, with a fess that is not hard and normal in shape without disturbing symptoms, it is still normal," said Dr. Sandhya Shukla.

Defecation frequency is influenced by many factors, such as diet, fluid intake, stress, medicine, and physical activity.

Every time you eat or drink, the digestive system immediately works to break the food into nutrients. Food residues will be collected in the large intestine until the body gives a signal to be removed. If the defecation is rare, the body can experience:

- Stomach bloating and gas

Jenna Volpe, RDN, LD, CLT, explains that food residues that have been in the intestines for too long can be fermented. This causes gas and bloating.

- Hard and dry feces

"If it's rare to defecate, the feces tend to be drier and harder, so when it is issued it can make us strain harder. This risks causing hemorrhoids or injuries to the anus (fissure)," explained Sauceda.

Even so, there is no scientific evidence that shows that rarely automatic defecation makes the poison accumulate in the body. Our immune system and gut microbiomes are strong enough to protect the body.

Healthy defecation is usually normal (not too hard), brown, about 1530 cm long and 25 cm in diameter (like a sausage or banana without skin).

Problems start to arise if they don't defecate for more than three days and feel uncomfortable, like bloating, lots of gas, or hard feces.

5 Tips So That The Defecation Runs Smoothly

1. Drink enough water

"We know fiber is important, but don't forget the water. Fiber needs water to help movement the intestines. If you don't drink enough, it can actually make constipation more severe," said Sauceda.

2. Manage Stress

Sauceda said stress can slow the work of the intestines. Stressed thoughts can annoy the intestines.

3. Expand Fiber

Eat fruit, vegetables, chia seeds, or flaxseed. But make sure to also drink enough water.

4. Actively Moving

"No need for strenuous exercise, just walk for 20 minutes almost every day can help movement of the intestines," said Volpe.

5. Use Supplement if Necessary

Dr. Shukla suggests magnesium or Prune juice if changes in diet and activity have not helped.

Immediately check if you rarely defecate for more than a week, or there are symptoms such as a bloody defecation, weight loss for no reason, iron deficiency anemia, sudden changes to defecation habits, and a family history of colon cancer.

These symptoms need further evaluation, usually with colonoscopy, to ensure there is no serious illness. " said Dr. Shukla.