Are people with ASD more prone to being constipated?

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I am prone to being constipated . I go every 2-3 days. I've been like it from as far back as I can remember.

I've always had the opposite problem.....I had digestive issues for a long time which manifested itself in diarrhea.

... and drink plenty of water.

I wonder how many Aspies have actually gotten ill and died from an underlying illness that started off as showing symptoms that the Aspie has associated with their ASD?



Note: Constipation doesn't mean you have an underlying illness, but you get what I mean.
I see hundreds of threads across the forum saying things like for example: "do Aspies get migraines more?", "I have a lump on my arm, is this to do with Asperger's?", "I can't run without being out of breath, is this an Aspie thing?", "do Aspies suffer more with colds?"

The answer is no, get to the doctor's.

Found

If you agreed with every thread on WP you would be convinced that the DSM should include the following as diagnostic traits of aspergers: liking cottage cheese, loving chicken mcnuggets, having a sweet tooth, having an abnormal lack of a sweet tooth, having a bigger than normal head, having a smaller than normal head, being a big person, being a small person, etc etc..

This sounds like just another one of those "I love chicken mcnuggets. Is that an aspie thing?" type of threads.

I don't know if I have ASD (I assume it is autism?) but I find for most of my life I have the opposite.

I used to get constipated all the time but not anymore.

BTW I think going few times a week is normal. I remember reading somewhere going at least 3 times a week is fine.

I am sadly more prone on the other side of that spectrum. I'll happily trade you.

Drink at least 1.5 litres of water a day.
Ideally 2 litres. or more. Drink a pint when you wake up, and when you go to bed.

Especially if you tend to also drink alcohol and caffeinated drinks. Coffee, cola. Etc.
Pain killers that have an opiate or codeine base can also make you constipated.

Otherwise, eat a well balanced diet that includes fruit, veg, diary. (and meat if you eat meat).

Human body is made up of 60% water.
In sport science, they say that if you lose 2% of this water, you can lose a high level of your strength,
through dehydration.

I am sure if you can get into the routine of staying as hydrated as possible, you will feel good for it.
If possible, try and stay away from coffee, caffeine (although that would mean get rid of coffee, cola and chocolate).

Autism comorbid with anxiety

Anxiety causes constipation

Autistics tend to eat bad diets

When I was younger I was badly constipated which caused me to continue having accidents through elementary school. I eventually was on medication for it.

I have found something that helps me with constipation.

There is an old saying that an apple a day keeps the doctor away. I would probably rephrase this as "An apple before bedtime keeps the constipation away."

Generally I consume an apple before bedtime and have a bowel movement the next morning. But you need to eat the skin of the apple in addition to the pulp. It is a combination of the two.

It is well documented that Autistics are more likely to have GI issues.

IMHO the causes are poor eating habits caused by sensory issues and cooccurring mental issues and the cooccurring issues themselves such as anxiety and depression.

I've been constipated since I was born. I go about once a week. Sometimes even less often. I drink about 3 liters of water a day and coming from a mediterranean city I consume lots of fruits, vegetables and quality olive oil.