Can Probiotics Cause Constipation at First?

Feeling bloated and having a stomachache are some of the things that you might encounter when you are experiencing constipation. Symptoms also include feeling sick and stomach cramps.

Let’s admit….it’s not a kind of feeling that you’d want to bring along with you as you go out for your day.

But the real question is, can probiotics cause constipation at first?

The quick answer is yes, it can. For the first several days or weeks of your intake of probiotics, constipation is a normal effect of it.

Constipation can be alarming, especially if this is the reason why you’re taking probiotics in the first place. That’s why as you continue reading, you’ll gain an understanding of the reasons why it causes such conditions.

You’ll learn the answers to questions such as: Is it harmful? Will constipation subside after a couple of days? Does it justify the benefits of probiotics in the long run?

Looking for the Best Probiotics for Constipation?

If you want to treat your constipation for good with probiotics, be sure to check our recommendations. When you’re already constipated, there’s nowhere else to go but get “unconstipated” with improved gut health.

Can Probiotics Cause Constipation At First?

Probiotics are good, especially for your digestive system. They are live bacteria and yeasts in your body.

When we hear the term ‘bacteria’ it often rings a bell for something negative, such as germs that can be the cause of some diseases. But probiotics being a kind of bacteria is not the same as having germs in your body that will cause you something tragic.

Do you know that the human body is full of bacteria? Yes, it is! Both good and bad. And probiotics are part of the good ones. This kind of bacteria is often called ‘good’ or ‘helpful’ bacteria because it’s an advocate for maintaining your gut healthy.

It can also help your body balance its good and bad bacteria to keep your body working the way that it’s designed to be.

The fact that bacteria is good for your body can be tough to comprehend. But let’s put it this way: a wrong kind of bacteria in the wrong place is harmful and can cause problems to your body, but a right kind of bacteria in the right place is beneficial in sustaining a healthy body.

This is where probiotics come in. It can help prevent and treat some illnesses. You can get probiotics through foods, drinks, and dietary supplements.

One of the possible reasons why probiotics cause constipation at first is that it temporarily increases your body’s production of gas. This leads to a high chance of bloating. Most people do not experience this kind of effect, but it applies to some.

There’s still no exact reason why some people experience this side effect, but this effect usually subsides after a few weeks of regular intake.

Can Probiotics Be Harmful?

Probiotics can cause constipation, bloating, and an increase in thirst when you start taking it.

Some probiotic-rich foods contain biogenic amines. Amines can trigger headaches because it can result in heightened activity in the central nervous system. This results in causing the blood flow to increase or decrease.

Some people might experience headaches after eating foods rich with amines and should instead switch to food supplement rich with probiotics as well.

Production of histamine inside your digestive tract can also be a harmful effect of some probiotics. When there is an increase in the level of histamine, blood vessels dilate to bring more blood to the area affected. This process produces redness and swelling in the affected area. They often lead to allergic symptoms such as itching, runny nose, watery eyes, and difficulty in breathing. People with histamine intolerance should consider avoiding these strains of bacteria.

Probiotics can also increase the likelihood of acquiring infections to some people. Probiotics are safe for most people but not the best fit for some. People who are at risk of having infections from probiotic intake are those whose immune systems are suppressed, those who have been hospitalized for a long period of time, and those who have undergone recent surgeries.

If you have a compromised immune system, venous catheters, have undergone surgery recently, has acute pancreatitis, or if you have been hospitalized for a long duration of time, you should avoid taking probiotics. But if this is not you, fret not, because the risk of obtaining infections is very low, and there are no reported serious infections because of probiotics from the general population.

How To Avoid Possible Harmful Effects

If you’re into taking probiotic supplements, some ingredients in probiotics also may cause a variety of reactions. If you’re a person allergic or have an intolerance to some specific products, consider reading the labels of the probiotic supplement carefully because it might contain ingredients that your body might react to.

In line with this, you should not take yeast-based probiotics if you are allergic to it, cheer up, because there are alternatives for it. There are other types of probiotic supplements that you can take. Instead, just take bacteria-based probiotic supplements.

Probiotic supplements can contain some ingredients that you might be allergic with but this can always be avoided by reading the labels carefully.

FloraVantage is one great example of a probiotic supplement that’s safe to take for almost everyone. Each vegetarian capsule is gluten-free and dairy-free. In addition, there are no starch, waxes, chemical dyes or talc in their formula.

Probiotics can cause constipation at first and other symptoms that were mentioned above, but if these symptoms persist and worsens, consult your doctor.

Wrapping It Up

Probiotics work by maintaining the balance of the levels of microorganisms in your intestine. They pull down the count of harmful bacteria in your body. Sufficient amount of intake of probiotics will be a great help to balance gut bacteria which will result in further health benefits.

It promotes a healthy balance in your gut and has been proven to have a huge number of health benefits. These include weight loss, digestive health, immune function, good balance in your system, and many more. Probiotics may have several effects to you like being constipated at first but its long term effect is worth it!