We've all experienced digestive discomfort—whether it’s the frustration of constipation or the urgency of diarrhea. These common bowel issues can be a minor inconvenience or a sign of an underlying condition. While they usually resolve on their own, chronic irregularities in bowel movements can impact daily life, causing discomfort, bloating, and even dehydration.

Your digestive health plays a crucial role in overall well-being. Whether you’re dealing with occasional constipation or mild diarrhea, simple lifestyle changes can make a big difference. If problems persist, don’t hesitate to consult a healthcare provider for guidance.

Understanding what causes constipation and diarrhea, how they are connected, and how to manage them effectively is key to maintaining a healthy digestive system. Here’s everything you need to know about these common gut problems and practical solutions to restore balance.

What is Diarrhea? Symptoms and Causes

Diarrhea is characterized by loose, watery stools that occur more frequently than normal. While occasional diarrhea is usually harmless, persistent diarrhea can lead to dehydration and nutrient deficiencies. Common symptoms include:

• Watery or loose stools
• Urgent need to defecate
• Stomach cramps and bloating
• Nausea or an upset stomach

In severe cases, diarrhea may also cause:

• Fever
• Vomiting
• Blood or mucus in stool
• Severe abdominal pain

What Triggers Diarrhea?

Diarrhea can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

Infections – Bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections from contaminated food or water.

Food Intolerances – Lactose intolerance or sensitivities to artificial sweeteners.

Medications – Certain antibiotics and medications can upset gut bacteria.

Stress and Anxiety – Emotional stress can disrupt digestion.

Digestive Disorders – Conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and Crohn’s disease.

What is Constipation? Symptoms and Causes

Constipation occurs when bowel movements become infrequent or difficult to pass. While pooping patterns vary among individuals, having fewer than three bowel movements a week is typically considered constipation. Symptoms include:

• Difficulty passing stool
• Hard, dry stools
• Straining during bowel movements
• Feeling of incomplete evacuation
• Bloating, gas, and abdominal discomfort

Common Causes of Constipation

Low Fiber Diet – Not consuming enough fiber from fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

Dehydration – Lack of water makes stool hard and difficult to pass.

Sedentary Lifestyle – Physical activity helps stimulate the digestive system.

Medications – Certain painkillers, antidepressants, and iron supplements can slow digestion.

Stress and Anxiety – Mental health affects gut function.

Underlying Medical Conditions – Hypothyroidism, diabetes, and neurological disorders.

How Constipation Can Lead to Diarrhea?

It may seem counterintuitive, but severe constipation can sometimes result in diarrhea, a condition known as overflow diarrhea or paradoxical diarrhea. When stool becomes impacted in the intestines, only liquid waste can seep around the blockage, leading to watery stool.

Additionally, conditions like IBS can cause alternating bouts of constipation and diarrhea. If you frequently experience both symptoms, consult a healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

Natural Remedies to Relieve Constipation

If you’re struggling with constipation, there are natural ways to stimulate bowel movements:

Increase Water Intake – Drink an extra 2-4 glasses of water daily to soften stool.

Boost Fiber Consumption – Incorporate fiber-rich foods like leafy greens, chia seeds, and whole grains.

Try Prunes or Prune Juice – A natural laxative, prunes contain sorbitol, which helps soften stool.

Exercise Regularly – Physical activity stimulates bowel movements.

Establish a Routine – Try to use the bathroom at the same time each day.

Avoid Caffeine and Alcohol – Both can contribute to dehydration, worsening constipation.

Limit Distractions – Avoid using your phone or reading while in the bathroom; focus on relaxation.

At-Home Treatments for Diarrhea

When dealing with mild diarrhea, focus on staying hydrated and eating foods that help firm up stool:

Drink Plenty of Fluids – Water, electrolyte-rich drinks, and herbal teas prevent dehydration.

Follow the BRAT Diet – Bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast help solidify stool.

Avoid Dairy and Gas-Producing Foods – Dairy can worsen symptoms, and foods like beans and carbonated drinks cause bloating.

Consume Probiotics – Yogurt and fermented foods help restore gut bacteria.

When to See a Doctor

While occasional constipation and diarrhea are common, prolonged or severe symptoms may indicate an underlying condition. Seek medical attention if you experience:

• Diarrhea lasting more than two days
• Persistent constipation despite dietary and lifestyle changes
• Severe abdominal pain
• Blood in stool
• Unexplained weight loss

Cervical cancer is still one of the most common cancers for women in India. It's mostly caused by a persistent infection with the Human Papillomavirus, or HPV for short.

This virus spreads through sexual contact and often doesn't show any symptoms early on. A lot of women don't even realize they have the virus until abnormal cell changes start to show up.

The World Health Organization says that cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers if people get vaccinated and screened on time.

Also Read: Woman Lost Weight On Mounjaro But Her Breasts Didn't Stop Growing, This Is Why...

In India, thousands of women still die every year because they're diagnosed late and don't have enough access to regular screening. That's where the new nationwide HPV vaccination drive is starting to make a difference.

Let’s Talk About The HPV Vaccine

The HPV vaccine basically protects against the types of the virus that are most often linked to cervical cancer. You get it as a shot, and it works best if you get it before you're exposed to the virus, usually when you're a young teenager. But it can still help even if you get it later.

India's really pushing to get this vaccine out there, which is a big change in how they're handling public health. The idea is pretty straightforward and impactful: protect young girls before the virus can do any damage. By focusing on school-aged kids and making sure parents know about it, they're trying to fix a problem that's been around for ages.

Why Is This Drive So Important?

Cervical cancer doesn't just pop up overnight. It usually takes years for an HPV infection to turn into cancer. This long window gives us a chance to prevent it. Vaccination stops the infection at the start, and screening catches early cell changes before they get serious.

Public health experts think that if enough people get vaccinated, we could prevent up to 80,000 cancer deaths in India every year over time. That number isn't just a statistic. It's about saving the lives of mothers, daughters, and sisters with a simple preventive measure.

The vaccine has been studied a lot worldwide and has strong safety and effectiveness data. Countries with high vaccination rates are already seeing big drops in HPV infections and precancerous lesions.

Also Read: 15 States Sue Trump Administration Over Revised Vaccine Schedule

Busting Myths And Building Trust

Even though there's solid science behind vaccines, there's still a lot of wrong info out there. Some parents are concerned about safety or what might happen down the road. Others think getting vaccinated makes kids sexually active sooner, but studies don't back that up.

Getting the facts straight is super important for dealing with these worries. The HPV vaccine doesn't mess with fertility or hormones. It just teaches your body to fight off certain types of the virus.

Getting communities involved, having healthcare pros on board, and running educational campaigns are all crucial for building trust. When families learn that this vaccine can prevent cancer, more people are on board.

Beyond Shots: Screening Matters

Vaccination isn't the only answer. Women who are already sexually active still need regular cervical screening. Pap smears and HPV testing are still super important for catching things early. India's bigger plan includes making screening programs at primary healthcare centers stronger. When vaccination and screening work together, the impact gets way bigger.

Getting Closer To Wiping Out Cancer

The World Health Organization wants to get rid of cervical cancer as a public health issue this century, and India's vaccination plan fits right in with that big goal.

This isn't just about medicine; it's about really caring for women's health and stopping problems before they start. In a country where getting cancer treatment can be tough, prevention is our best bet.

Cervical cancer is mostly preventable. If we keep vaccinating, have good screening, and make sure everyone knows the facts, we could save thousands of lives every year. This campaign is a huge step towards a future where cervical cancer is rare, not something we just expect.

Kenyan-Mexican actress Lupita Nyong’o has revealed that her fibroids have returned after undergoing surgery in 2014 -- now doubling up to 50, raising awareness about the often-overlooked health condition in women.

Speaking at the Today show, the Oscar-winning star Nyong’o said that she was first diagnosed with fibroids, a noncancerous tumor -- about 30 in number -- in 2014.

The growths made of muscle and tissue were removed with myomectomy, the fibroid-removal surgery.

However, the fibroids came back after over a decade, with the largest being the size of an orange, Nyong’o said.

She noted that the doubled-up fibroids are causing her more pain, while her treatment options remain largely the same.

“The first time I got the fibroids taken out, they took out 23,” she said on the show. “And this time, I’ve been informed two years ago that I have over 50.”

“And I’m being faced with the same options,” she added. “Surgery or live with the pain.”

Even as she is contemplating her treatment options, the A Quiet Place: Day One star opened up about feeling left alone and scared for her reproductive health during the initial phase.

She is now speaking out and connecting with other women suffering like her. Nyong’o is also advocating and raising money for scientists to research less invasive and non-invasive treatment methods for fibroids.

I was told that fibroids were something women live with. In refuse to accept that. Millions of women are suffering in silence, and we deserve better answers, better care and better options," Nyong’o wrote in a post on Instagram.

What Are Fibroids

Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths that form inside or on the uterus. They are very common, affecting an estimated 40 to 80 percent of people with a uterus between the ages of 30 and 50.

In some cases, fibroids do not cause any noticeable symptoms, which means many people may not realize they have them. However, when symptoms are present, they often include:

• Heavy menstrual bleeding or painful periods
• Longer or more frequent periods
• Pelvic pressure or pain
• Frequent urination or trouble urinating
• Growing stomach area
• Constipation
• Pain in the stomach area or lower back, or pain during sex

Obesity and a higher body mass index (BMI) are the most common risk factors that can increase the chances of developing fibroids. Others include family history, not having children, early onset of menstruation (getting your period at a young age), and late age of menopause.

How To Treat Fibroids? Can They Recur?

There are several tests that can be done to confirm fibroids and determine their size and location.

These tests can include ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT) scan, hysteroscopy, and laparoscopy.

Myomectomy is a commonly used surgical procedure to remove fibroids. There are several types of myomectomy, and they are used depending on the location of the fibroids, their size, and number.

The types of myomectomy procedures include hysteroscopy, laparoscopy, laparotomy, hysterectomy, uterine fibroid embolization, and radiofrequency ablation (RFA).

Even after a successful myomectomy, new fibroids can still develop. The recurrence risk is more common among young adults (under age 40) with many fibroids. The risk is less among people near menopause or with few fibroids.

Visit your doctor if you have:

• Pelvic pain that doesn't go away
• Heavy or painful periods that limit what you can do
• Spotting or bleeding between periods
• Trouble emptying your bladder
• Ongoing tiredness and weakness, which can be symptoms of anemia, meaning a low level of red blood cells.

Sepsis that happened by a lick from a pet dog led to a woman losing all four of her limbs. Health and Me had previously reported that a Birmingham based woman, 56-year-old pharmacy worker Manjit Sangha caught sepsis from the lick of her pet dog. She spent her night in coma in the hospital and had to lose all her limbs. This happened because bacteria from dog's lick entered her body through a cut or a scratch. This led to sepsis, where the immune system's reaction to infection damaged the body's own tissues and organs.

This has brought a lot of attention on what sepsis is and what are the symptoms one must be aware of. As per the Sepsis Alliance, one must know about TIME to be aware of sepsis.

Unique Symptoms of Sepsis

TIME stands for temperature, infection, mental decline and extremely ill. If you notice these symptoms, rush to the hospital.

• T for Temperature: If you notice your body temperature rising or falling
• I for Infection: If you see signs or symptoms of any infection
• M for Mental Decline: If you feel confused, sleepy and difficult in rising
• E for Extremely Ill: If you feel severe pain, discomfort, shortness of breath

Unique Symptoms Of Sepsis: What To Know About Temperature

Your body temperature normally stays steady at about 98.6°F (37°C), with small changes based on activity, surroundings, and time of day. A reading of 100°F (37.7°C) or higher is considered a fever. During infection, the body often heats up to help fight germs. However, some people experience an unusual drop in temperature instead. Because of this, both a spike and a fall in temperature can be warning signs of sepsis.

Unique Symptoms of Sepsis: How To Know If You Have An Infection?

When an infection stays in one area, its symptoms usually match the site involved. A urinary tract infection may cause burning while urinating or frequent urges, pneumonia can bring cough and chest pain, and an infected cut may show redness or pus.

Read: Where You Get Your Rabies Shot Matters: Doctor Explains Why Rabies Vaccines Should Not Be Given In Buttocks

If the infection spreads through the body, broader symptoms like fever, tiredness, and body aches can appear. In some cases, an infection may not cause obvious symptoms at all. This is especially important to remember after surgery, medical procedures, skin injuries, or close contact with someone who is sick.

Unique Symptoms of Sepsis: What To Look Out For Mental Decline?

Sepsis can also alter how the brain functions. Some people, particularly older adults, may not develop the usual infection symptoms. Instead, they might suddenly become confused or show a sharp worsening of existing dementia. Marked drowsiness or unusual sleepiness is another common sign.

Unique Symptoms of Sepsis: Signs That You Are Extremely Ill

Many sepsis survivors recall feeling sicker than ever before. They describe overwhelming symptoms such as the most severe sore throat or abdominal pain they had experienced, along with a frightening sense that they might not survive.

Unique Symptoms Of Sepsis In Children

Unique Symptoms Of Sepsis In Adults

• High blood cell count
• Immature white blood cells in circulation
• Elevated plasma C-reactive protein
• Elevated procalctonin (PCT)
• Low blood pressue
• Low central venous or mixed venous oxygen saturation
• High cardiac index
• Low oxygen level
• Low urine output
• High creatinine in the blood
• Coagulation or clotting abnormalities
• Absent bowel sounds
• Low platelets in blood
• High bilirubin levels
• High lactate in blood
• Decreased capillary filling or mottling