How to Poop Faster: Ins and Outs of Constipation Relief

A person who’s experiencing constipation may either have no other symptoms or have the following additional symptoms:

• Pain while passing stools
• Bloating of the abdomen
• Rectal bleeding
• Diarrhea
• Lower back pain

Constipation occurs most commonly when stool moves very slowly through your gut or doesn’t get eliminated from your rectum effectively. This may make the stool very dry and hard. There are multiple possible causes of constipation.

Blockages in the rectum or colon

These may stop or slow the movement of stool. Some of the causes are:

• Anal fissure (tiny tears occur in the skin surrounding the anus)
• Bowel obstruction (intestinal blockage by tumor)
• Thrombosed hemorrhoids (hemorrhoids filled with blood clots)
• Bowel stricture (narrowing of your colon)
• Cancers of the abdomen that may press on the colon
• Fecal impaction 

Problems related to the nerves present around the rectum and colon

You may also develop constipation if neurological problems affect the nerves that produce muscle contractions in the rectum and colon, which can affect the movement of stool through the colon. Some of the causes are:

• Autonomic neuropathy (damage to the nerves that control bodily functions)
• Multiple sclerosis
• Injury to the spinal cord
• Parkinson’s disease
• Stroke

Difficulty with the pelvic muscles that help in the elimination of stool

Some of the causes are:

• Anismus (you can’t relax your pelvic muscles to eliminate stool)
• Pelvic dyssynergia (the coordination of pelvic muscles between contraction and relaxation isn’t correct)
• Weakness of the pelvic muscles

Conditions that may affect the hormonal balance in your body

Some of these conditions are:

• Diabetes
• Hyperparathyroidism (overactive parathyroid gland)
• Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland)

Some other factors, which make you more prone to have constipation, are:

• Being female
• Dehydration
• Little or no physical activity
• Low-fiber diet
• Certain medicines such as antidepressants, sedatives, or opioids
• Mental health issues such as an eating disorder or depression
• Overuse of tea, coffee, or alcohol
• Not passing stool when there is an urge may also result in constipation

Fortunately, there are some good ways to poop faster and improve your overall state of health. Here’s what you can try. 

Increase your intake of fluids and fiber and reduce your intake of coffee, tea, alcohol, and milk products. Does drinking water make you poop faster? Yes — being dehydrated increases your risk of constipation. Avoid milk products and milk if they make you constipated. 

Hot liquids may also ease constipation and promote bowel movements, so warm water may relieve constipation.

By increasing your fiber intake, you increase the bulk of the stool and the speed with which it travels through the intestines. Eating more fresh vegetables and fruits every day and opting for whole grains instead of refined ones will increase your fiber intake.

Apples are a rich source of fiber, especially pectin, which is a soluble fiber that acts as a laxative. Pectin helps reduce constipation by enhancing the regular movement of the bowels. Eating more apples is one of the ways to poop faster.

Prunes contain a high amount of fiber, fructose, sorbitol, and phenolic compounds. All of these help relieve constipation. Similarly, grapes and green kiwifruit increase the frequency and ease of defecation and softness and volume of stool.

Chia seeds contain an insoluble form of fiber, which forms a gel when mixed with water. This gel adds bulk to stool, which can make bowel movements more regular.

Mangoes are also a rich source of fiber and help relieve constipation. Their pulp contains certain phytochemicals that promote the health of the microbiota of the gut and the health of the digestive tract.

Wondering how to make your poop come out faster? You can try adding tomatoes and citrus foods to your diet. They contain a compound called naringenin that has a laxative effect.

Physical activity and exercise can increase the activity of the muscles in the intestines. In addition, people who are physically fit have a lower risk of experiencing constipation. Yet another reason why starting a fitness program is such a good idea.

How to poop faster on the toilet? You can reduce straining and stress on pelvic floor tissues by squatting while passing stool. This position relaxes both your pelvic floor and a special internal puborectalis muscle that releases pressure on the rectum and makes pooping easier. You can mimic a squatting position on a typical Western toilet by placing your feet on a stool.

Some things that your doctor may recommend to relieve constipation are fiber, rapid-acting lubricants, emollient stool softeners, laxatives, prokinetics, prosecretory drugs, and osmotic agents.

A fiber supplement that contains wheat, methylcellulose, or psyllium is very often useful to relieve constipation. However, these supplements may cause bloating and cramping, so it’s important to start them at a low dose and gradually increase it until you get the desired results. 

It’s ideal to consult a doctor before using these supplements as they may cause long-term habituation.

Your doctor may recommend surgery if your symptoms are due to a rectocele (bulging rectal tissue), blockage, or stricture.

You should visit a doctor if you develop any of the following symptoms and signs:

• Bleeding from the rectum
• Presence of blood in your stool
• Abdominal pain
• Lower back pain
• Vomiting
• Inability to pass gas
• Malaise
• Fatigue
• Spontaneous weight loss

Constipation isn’t a disease, but it can be a sign of an underlying condition. There are many ways to poop faster, including making dietary and lifestyle changes, sitting in a squatting position while passing stool, and taking fiber supplements. In the majority of cases, constipation can be effectively treated by making lifestyle and dietary changes. However, if it doesn’t get better or there are other associated symptoms, visit your doctor.