• Digestive Disorders

Why is My Poop Hard? Here’s What You Should Know

Medically reviewed and edited by Jarrod Nero, MSN, APRN, FNP-C

The consistency of your stool can be an important indicator of your digestive health, so take note of any changes that prompt concerns.

Among various changes you might experience, hard stools are a common issue that many people will deal with at some point in their lives.

While it’s often temporary and manageable with simple lifestyle adjustments, persistent hard stools can indicate underlying health issues that require medical attention.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the causes of hard stools, how to treat and prevent them, and warning signs to look out for to ensure you take proper care of your bowel health.

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How Do Bowel Movements Work?

Before determining why your stool may be harder than normal, you first need to understand how the digestive process works.

When we consume food, it’s transported through the body into the stomach, where digestion starts.

The stomach’s acids and enzymes begin to break down food, turning it into a semi-liquid substance called chyme.

This chyme then travels to the small intestine, where nutrients are absorbed through enzymes and bile. It’s the bile that generally gives poop it’s light to dark brown color.

As the digestive process continues, the leftover food moves into the large intestine, where water is absorbed, and the remaining material is formed into a stool.

If this process slows down due to various factors, it can lead to hard stools that are firm, dry, and difficult to pass.

What Can Cause Hard Stools?

Dietary factors

A low-fiber diet is one of the most common causes of hard stools. Fiber adds bulk to the stool and helps it retain water, making it softer and easier to pass.

Without enough fiber in your diet, stools may absorb too little water and become dry and hard. This can also make pooping difficult, which can cause straining and painful bowel movements.

Aging

Aging is also a common cause of hard stools, as older adults become less active and use more medication.

This can damage the digestive system, causing it to slow down. Over time, stools will absorb less water, making them hard and dry.

Older adults may also struggle to pass stools due to an increase in pelvic floor dysfunction and rectal prolapse.

This condition develops when the muscles that support the bladder and rectum become weak and tight, affecting bowel function.

Dehydration

Water is essential for a healthy digestive system. It helps to soften the stool and stimulate the intestines to promote regular bowel movements.

When the body is dehydrated, the colon absorbs more water from the stool, making it hard and difficult to pass.

Sedentary lifestyle

Exercise plays a crucial role in ensuring healthy bowel movements by stimulating the intestinal muscles, thereby aiding in regularity.

A sedentary lifestyle — where a person gets little to no exercise — can decrease bowel motility, resulting in hard stools and constipation.

Certain medications

Using certain medications can interfere with your normal bowel function and contribute to hard stools. These drugs include:

• Opioids: These pain medications can slow the digestive process, reducing intestinal muscle contractions necessary for a bowel movement. This causes the poop to move through the colon too slowly, resulting in a hard stool.

• Antacids: Certain antacids — especially those containing aluminum — can disrupt digestive function, causing constipation and hard stools.

• Other medications: Some antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and blood pressure medications can also contribute to constipation by slowing down the digestive system.

If you are using these medications to treat chronic conditions and notice significant changes in your bowel habits, consult your doctor about adjusting your dosage.

Overuse of laxatives

While laxatives can provide temporary relief from constipation and hard stools, using them too often can cause drug dependence.

This means that the bowel becomes too reliant on laxatives to function, leading to weakened digestive tract muscles.

Over time, this can result in chronic constipation that can cause various other health and digestive issues.

Medical conditions

Various digestive disorders and medical conditions can affect the bowel, causing hard stools. These may include:

• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): A disorder affecting the large intestine, causing symptoms like cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, gas, and changes in bowel habits.

• Hypothyroidism: An underactive thyroid gland can slow down numerous bodily systems, including digestion. This causes the stools to move through the body at a slower rate, which can contribute to hard poop.

• Diabetes: This condition can affect the nerves that control the bowels, which may contribute to hard stools and constipation.

• Anal fissures or hemorrhoids: These are painful conditions characterized by tears or sores in the lining of the rectum and anus. They can make it difficult to pass stool, leading to constipation and hard poop.

Are Hard Stools the Same as Constipation?

While hard stools and constipation are related, they are not the same. Let’s take a closer look at the key differences.

Keep in mind that both hard stools and constipation can indicate that something may be wrong with your digestive health.

That’s why it’s crucial to consult your doctor if you experience any of these changes in your bowel habits to ensure you get the proper treatment.

Treatment and Preventative Measures for Hard Stools

Dietary changes

Dietary changes are often sufficient to treat constipation and prevent hard stools from developing again. These changes may include:

• Increasing fiber intake: Aim to consume 25 to 30 grams of fiber daily from sources such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. Soluble fiber — found in foods like oats, apples, and flaxseeds — absorbs water and can help add bulk to stools, making them softer and easier to pass.

• Stay hydrated: Drinking enough water is essential for preventing hard stools. Aim for at least eight glasses of water per day, or more if you're active or live in a hot climate.

• Limit constipating foods: Certain foods, such as dairy products, red meat, and fried or processed foods, can aggravate conditions leading to hard stools. While you don't have to eliminate these products entirely, reducing your intake can help improve stool consistency.

Lifestyle adjustments

In addition to dietary changes, making lifestyle adjustments that promote healthier habits can also improve the consistency of your stool.

These changes can include:

• Getting at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise five to seven days a week

• Building a habit to use the bathroom at the same time each day to potentially promote more regular bowel movements

• Practicing stress management techniques, such as yoga and meditation

OTC medications

If lifestyle and dietary changes are ineffective, or if you have a more severe case of hard stools, your doctor may recommend OTC medications to help. These include:

• Stool softeners that make them easier to pass

• Fiber supplements to help you increase your nutrient intake

• Lubricant laxatives for short-term use

It’s important to take these medications as directed for the appropriate time period. Using them for longer than necessary may cause additional digestive issues.

When Should You See a Doctor About Hard Stools?

While occasionally experiencing hard stools are common, there are certain symptoms to look out for that may indicate a need to consult your doctor. This includes:

• Experiencing persistent hard stools that last for more than three weeks

• Worsening symptoms that don’t improve with treatment

• Painful bowel movements

• Blood, pus, or mucus in the stool

• Unexplained weight loss

• Severe abdominal pain

• Nausea or vomiting

These symptoms may indicate that an underlying health condition is causing changes in your stool and requires immediate medical attention.

You should also see your doctor if you have an existing digestive disorder and you develop these symptoms.

Developing hard stools despite undergoing treatment may signal the need for alternative therapies, including more aggressive treatments.

Where Can You Learn More About Improving Your Bowel Health?

If you’re concerned about your stool consistency or want to know more about bowel movements, LifeMD is here to help.

A team of medical professionals can assist you with information and provide guidance on maintaining bowel health and avoiding complications.

Make an appointment with LifeMD today to learn more about digestive health care — all from the comfort of your home.

Jarrod Nero, MSN, APRN, FNP-C

Jarrod, a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner, earned his B.S. in Nursing from William Carey University and an M. S. in Family Health Nursing from the Southern University of Baton Rouge. He lives in New Orleans with his partner and son.

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