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13 Surprising Causes Of Constipation

Health     First Posted: 03/16/11 11:51 AM ET   Updated: 05/25/11 07:40 PM ET

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.

But constipation also has other, less-well-known causes, including certain medications and supplements, as well as potentially serious medical conditions.

What's causing your gut trouble? Here are 13 possible causes of constipation you may not have considered.

Hypothyroidism
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Hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid gland, slows the body's metabolic processes -- even the gut.

Not everyone with an underactive thyroid has constipation, nor do all cases of constipation mean that the butterfly-shaped gland in your neck is underperforming.

Still, "when I see a young person who's constipated more than normal and really complaining, I do tend to get a thyroid level," says Carla H. Ginsburg, M.D., assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School in Boston.

More from Health.com:
Quick Cures for Tummy Troubles
10 Risk Factors for IBD
13 Reasons for Bladder Trouble

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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. But constipation also has ot...
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. But constipation also has ot...
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SilentSolidarity
So what do you need? Besides a miracle.
891 Fans
03:04 AM on 05/16/2011
I don't know if I have ever posted this tune, but I think it fits to this time.

Cecilia Chailly - Kiss from Heaven
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52SyDnFCarQ
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HUFFPOST COMMUNITY MODERATOR
dimplasm
More chocolate, please.
2128 Fans
12:17 AM on 05/16/2011
Hey, everybody! *Waving* I've missed you. My clock was wrong and I kept getting caught out late on other threads. How silly is that?
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P3
2490 Fans
09:32 PM on 05/15/2011
Gheorghe Zamfir~ The Lonely Shepherd (from Kill Bill)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qsgBF7ZIsk&feature=related
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Good Googli Moogli
I Pledge Allegiance to the Doobie-puff puff PASS
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10:03 PM on 05/15/2011
i forgot all about this
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Woods-shade
Remember, pillage THEN burn.
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07:32 PM on 05/15/2011
Zooey Deschanel ~ Sugartown

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAhdKu44wr8
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jackhole
The most loved blogger on this site... ever!
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05:03 PM on 05/15/2011
天空中没有虚大家伙可以拯救自己的，不容忍或邪恶的。

Red Hot Chili Peppers - Californication

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlUKcNNmywk
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
SilentSolidarity
So what do you need? Besides a miracle.
891 Fans
04:45 PM on 05/15/2011
Gorillaz - Feel Good Inc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plvpV9p0ywg
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HUFFPOST COMMUNITY MODERATOR
dimplasm
More chocolate, please.
2128 Fans
12:16 AM on 05/16/2011
Love Gorrilaz.
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jackhole
The most loved blogger on this site... ever!
573 Fans
04:21 PM on 05/15/2011
All I can say is 这是他妈的真棒

"The Ambush", pipa solo by Liu Fang

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtrthXXmKgA
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P3
2490 Fans
09:24 PM on 05/15/2011
delightful Jack,
thanks
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HUFFPOST COMMUNITY MODERATOR
MilesLong
Livin' the Dream
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01:32 PM on 05/14/2011
Cream - Strange Brew
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_NholHANoY

Miles "Don't Even Want To Think About How This Relates To Constipation" Long
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HUFFPOST COMMUNITY MODERATOR
MissMapleLeaf
princesshighandmightytoldyousobossoftheworld
512 Fans
01:42 PM on 05/14/2011
Awesome tune, Miles. Thanks.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Benjamin Sisko
Fortune favors the bold.
303 Fans
06:42 PM on 05/14/2011
Welcome back, MML, you've been missed. :o) Read your earlier reply to P3, hope things are going much better.
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fredpa
I will try again tomorrow.
1154 Fans
11:58 AM on 05/14/2011
6 comments on the inner voice, and 11,000 on constipation. I guess we know what's being monitored.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Benjamin Sisko
Fortune favors the bold.
303 Fans
05:31 PM on 05/14/2011
Hi fredpa, love your micro-bio. Actually, probably less than 100 posts here have anything to do with constipation. The other 11,000 and change are music posts. We're like a traveling band of troubadours that find an obscure HP thread, camp out on it, and post songs we like until the thread is closed. You're more than welcome to join us! :o)
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
fredpa
I will try again tomorrow.
1154 Fans
09:49 PM on 05/14/2011
What fun. I probably would have figured that out if I'd read to the end. Thanks for the invite.
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Woods-shade
Remember, pillage THEN burn.
558 Fans
11:09 AM on 05/14/2011
Robert Plant & Alison Kraus ~ Gone, Gone, Gone

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WRm3VsmXRE
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P3
2490 Fans
12:36 AM on 05/14/2011
For MML, its the Canadian
Marcome~ Revive Your Soul And Flow In The River Of Life
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHN-3CXeyFQ
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HUFFPOST COMMUNITY MODERATOR
MissMapleLeaf
princesshighandmightytoldyousobossoftheworld
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01:40 PM on 05/14/2011
*hugs* thanks, hun
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HUFFPOST COMMUNITY MODERATOR
MissMapleLeaf
princesshighandmightytoldyousobossoftheworld
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11:32 PM on 05/13/2011
Cherry Popsicle -- Jann Arden

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYDVD1uiXGE

Howdy boys... have you scared away all the gals?
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P3
2490 Fans
11:48 PM on 05/13/2011
hello my Canadian friend, how you been?
saw some of your comments over on the Living/Religion section
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HUFFPOST COMMUNITY MODERATOR
MissMapleLeaf
princesshighandmightytoldyousobossoftheworld
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12:11 AM on 05/14/2011
Life has been--let's say-- less than stellar. Lots of stuff on my plate and I feel less fun and frisky lately. I was a little worried about showing up to the music thread and being a big bummer.
How have you been, P3 luvvy?
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Woods-shade
Remember, pillage THEN burn.
558 Fans
07:03 AM on 05/14/2011
((( MsTHANG!!! ))) Thought we'd lost you! Sorry I missed you.... : )
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HUFFPOST COMMUNITY MODERATOR
MissMapleLeaf
princesshighandmightytoldyousobossoftheworld
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01:35 PM on 05/14/2011
(((Woodsie))) No... you never lost me. Sorry I missed you, too. Hope you've been well.
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P3
2490 Fans
11:27 PM on 05/13/2011
Paul McCartney~ Venus and Mars & Rock Show

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BU_2oNF9CZE
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Nick Rowley
http://makingyourprojectsoundsplendid.com/
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11:05 PM on 05/13/2011
David Dundas & Rick Wentworth - Withnail's Theme
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxCFZ0ZZGb0

Should so turn this into a dance track
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Nick Rowley
http://makingyourprojectsoundsplendid.com/
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10:59 PM on 05/13/2011
La Roux - In for the Kill
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P3
2490 Fans
11:45 PM on 05/13/2011
both song and video well done
growing my music appreciation horizons
she can give The Donald some "hair" advice
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Woods-shade
Remember, pillage THEN burn.
558 Fans
07:04 AM on 05/14/2011
She's so unique.. love her.
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