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Photo:Design elements: Getty Images. Collage: Cassie Basford.
Design elements: Getty Images. Collage: Cassie Basford.
As the temperature rises, you may be feeling some discomfort if you’re in the sun all day. There are the obvious causes, from sunburn to overheating. But have you noticed a change in the frequency of your bowel movements after days of hot weather? When even a day of activity and healthy meals can’t seem to make you go No. 2, what gives?
We talked to gastroenterologistRabia de Latour, M.D., and she confirmed that there is a reason why you might be constipated during a heat wave. Here’s what the doctor had to say—and the easiest way to fix the issue ASAP.
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Why Is It Hard to Poop During a Heat Wave?
The sneaky reason why you may be constipated during a heat wave? Your body needs more water, and this is actually atop cause of constipationany time of the year.
“Whenever you’re dehydrated, the first way your body deals with that is to concentrate your urine and your stool,” de Latour explains. “It’s begging, ‘Please give me water!’ and it will sweep it up from your stool and soak it up. So your stools end up being harder and your urine ends up being darker, it’s more concentrated.”
This is the reason why yourpee may change colorin the summertime, too. But back to poop: because your stool isn’t soft enough, it’s harder to expel, causing constipation.And if you’re dealing with the opposite issue—diarrhea—de Latour says that it’s due to the same reason.
“If you’re in extreme heat and you’re suffering from heat exhaustion, you can shock the gut,” she warns. “It can either cause diarrhea or constipation, but no matter what, it’s usually from dehydration.”
So what can you do to help aid healthy bathroom breaks? There’s an obvious solution.
“What you need to do is hydrate, hydrate, hydrate, hydrate,” de Latour says.
This is your sign to fill up your reusable water bottle (or an excuse tobuy a new one), stock up onhydrating foodsand remind yourself to drink enough water every day this summer.
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More Tips to Help You Go
If you’re reading this article and thinking to yourself, “I’m definitely drinking water, but I’m still having tummy troubles,” then the heat may not be the problem. Here are some simple solutions that may help with regularity:
The Bottom Line
It’s normal to be constipated during a heat wave—and it’s probably because you’re dehydrated. By staying hydrated this summer, you can combat constipation and lower your risk of overheating, so be sure to drink plenty of water. But if you’re having long-term GI issues, be sure to talk to your doctor about your symptoms.
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SourcesEatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of constipation.U.S. Department of Agriculture.Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020-2025.Shi H, Hu F, Huang T, et al.Sedentary behaviors, light physical activity, and healthy aging.JAMA Network Open. 2024. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.16300
Sources
EatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of constipation.U.S. Department of Agriculture.Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020-2025.Shi H, Hu F, Huang T, et al.Sedentary behaviors, light physical activity, and healthy aging.JAMA Network Open. 2024. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.16300
EatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of constipation.U.S. Department of Agriculture.Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020-2025.Shi H, Hu F, Huang T, et al.Sedentary behaviors, light physical activity, and healthy aging.JAMA Network Open. 2024. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.16300
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of constipation.
U.S. Department of Agriculture.Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020-2025.
Shi H, Hu F, Huang T, et al.Sedentary behaviors, light physical activity, and healthy aging.JAMA Network Open. 2024. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.16300
