A lack of movement can slow bowel motility, making stools less frequent and harder. Proctologist Diana Iklasova advises against limiting yourself to diet adjustments alone and recommends adding regular physical activity, reports infohub.kz.

"When we sit a lot and move little, bowel motility can slow down, and stools become less frequent and harder. You don't have to spend an hour at the gym every day. Ordinary walking, running, swimming or any other physical activity is already better than constant sitting," she notes.

The doctor emphasizes that regulating bowel function requires a comprehensive approach. That is, it's not just about diet and fluid intake, but also about a person's physical activity.

However, if constipation has become regular, it's important to identify the cause rather than simply taking laxatives constantly. At this point, it's better to seek help from a specialist.

You don't have to eat soup every day

Iklasova also gave several examples of what is normal for bowel function. In particular, she noted that it's normal to have a bowel movement once every two to three days if the stool is soft and there is no discomfort.

It is also considered normal not to eat soup every day, to drink less than 2–3 liters of water daily, and not to have a bowel movement every morning at the same time.

The proctologist also noted that drinking coffee on an empty stomach is fine if you feel well afterward.

People endure until the last moment

According to the doctor, the main thing is that if discomfort, symptoms or pain appear, you must definitely see a specialist.

"When I became a proctologist, I realized one thing: people endure until the last moment. And for nothing. They wait for it to 'go away on its own,' get used to the discomfort, ignore symptoms for years. But in this area everything is very simple: the earlier you come, the easier the solution. As a doctor, I'll say honestly that the most common mistake is not the disease, but putting off a visit to the doctor," she noted.

Earlier, 'Kursiv' wrote that scientists proved a link between stress and bowel problems.