Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesIn BabiesIn PregnancyTreatmentsHome RemediesDiagnosisComplicationsWhen to See a ProviderDanger SignsPreventionNext in Constipation GuideHow Constipation Is Diagnosed in Adults
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
In Babies
In Pregnancy
Treatments
Home Remedies
Diagnosis
Complications
When to See a Provider
Danger Signs
Prevention
Next in Constipation Guide
Constipation is when bowel movements are dry, hard, sometimes painful, and occur infrequently (less than three times a week). Many potential causes of constipation exist, including medications, pregnancy, lack of physical activity, or a disease or condition.
Constipation might be relieved with home remedies, such as changes to diet and activity level. At other times, you may require the help of a healthcare provider to determine the causes and get relief.
This article explores the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment of constipation.
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What Are the Symptoms of Constipation?
How often people pass stool is variable. There is a range of normal, so every person will have their own type of “regular.” What’s important is recognizing when there is a change outside of the normal and noting the symptoms and how often it is happening.
Constipation is common, especially in adults over the age of 60 years. It may happen from time to time, or it may be a frequent occurrence.
Thesymptoms of constipationcan include:
Red Flag Bowel SymptomsConstipation isn’t always serious or needing attention from a healthcare provider. But some symptoms are important to discuss with a healthcare provider (with or without constipation). These can include:Blood in or on the stoolConstant abdominal pain that doesn’t improve with a bowel movement or passing gasNo bowel movements or gas are being passed at allSevere abdominal painUnintended weight lossVomiting that doesn’t stopYou are over the age of 45 with new onset constipation
Red Flag Bowel Symptoms
Constipation isn’t always serious or needing attention from a healthcare provider. But some symptoms are important to discuss with a healthcare provider (with or without constipation). These can include:Blood in or on the stoolConstant abdominal pain that doesn’t improve with a bowel movement or passing gasNo bowel movements or gas are being passed at allSevere abdominal painUnintended weight lossVomiting that doesn’t stopYou are over the age of 45 with new onset constipation
Constipation isn’t always serious or needing attention from a healthcare provider. But some symptoms are important to discuss with a healthcare provider (with or without constipation). These can include:
What Causes Constipation?
Constipation has many possible causes. This can sometimes make diagnosis and treatment difficult, especially if there is more than one reason for hard stools.
Sometimes, constipation is not a reason to worry, and it will resolve with diet, medication, or lifestyle changes. But there are also causes that need more intensive treatment because of an underlying health condition.
Lack of Fiber in Your Diet
Most people in the United States don’t get enough fiber in their diet.The Department of Agriculture recommends that adult females get 22 to 28 grams of fiber a day and adult males get 28 to 34 grams.
Increasing fiber in the diet may help prevent and relieve constipation.However, it can be challenging to get enough fiber and yet avoid symptoms such as bloating when adding more fiber. Increasing fiber slowly over time and/or working with a healthcare provider may be helpful.
A Note on Gender and Sex TerminologyVerywell Health acknowledges thatsex and genderare related concepts, but they are not the same. To reflect our sources accurately, this article uses terms like “female,” “male,” “woman,” and “man” as the sources use them.
A Note on Gender and Sex Terminology
Verywell Health acknowledges thatsex and genderare related concepts, but they are not the same. To reflect our sources accurately, this article uses terms like “female,” “male,” “woman,” and “man” as the sources use them.
Physical Inactivity
Being sedentary or not moving the body much during the day could lead to constipation in some people.A lack of activity becomes more common with age, which increases the risk of constipation.
It’s recommended that adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each week and strength training at least twice a week.
Certain Medications
Medications and supplements could also cause constipation. The reasons for this are varied, and people respond to medicines differently, making the issue even more complicated. Some of the medications that could lead to constipation include:
Colon or Rectal Blockages
Medical Conditions
Many common medical conditions could also affect the digestive system in a way that slows it down and causes constipation. This can include:
Other Causes
Some reasons for constipation don’t fall into any of the other categories. They might cause constipation on their own or contribute to constipation that involves other causes. This can include:
Constipation in Babies and Infants
The timing of bowel movements is variable in babies, just as it is in adults. What’s more important than timing is the consistency of the stool. Signs to be aware of are dry, hard-to-pass stools that look like hard balls, as well as painful bowel movements.
Constipation in Pregnancy
Constipation during pregnancyis common and is usually attributed to the changes in hormones that occur during pregnancy. Pressure on the intestines from the growing fetus is another cause.Taking iron supplements can also be a contributing factor.
What Medical Treatments Help With Constipation?
The best way to deal with constipation is to address the source. However, multiple sources could exist, and it might also be difficult for some people to pinpoint the exact cause of constipation. Sometreatment optionscan be tried to relieve constipation.
OTC Medications
Drugstores have a variety of over-the-counter (OTC) remedies for constipation. These drugs and supplements work in various ways.
Some OTC medications and supplements for constipation are:
Prescription Medications
When constipation does not respond to lifestyle changes or OTC remedies, a healthcare provider may prescribe a medication. Some of the medications that might be used to treat constipation are:
Other Treatment Options
You may need a specialist healthcare provider to treat some causes of constipation.
If a medication causes constipation, it could help to stop that drug or to change to a different one. Always discuss medication changes with the prescribing healthcare provider to ensure appropriate treatment for your condition and as a way to prevent complications from discontinuing a medication.
Another option for constipation isacupuncture, which is placing needles into the body for healing.
Evidence-Based Home Remedies for Constipation
Some of the evidence-based things people can do to cope with constipation are:
Herbal supplementsmay have some weak evidence for use in constipation. However, seeking advice from a healthcare provider before trying these supplements is important. They include:
How Is Constipation Diagnosed?
A healthcare provider can helpdiagnose and treat constipation. The first step is to take a report from you on how often bowel movements occur, what they look like, and how it feels to have them (such as if there is pain or straining).
They will conduct a physical exam to check for signs of dehydration and abdominal changes. They may do a rectal exam.
Blood, stool, and urine tests may be performed. If there doesn’t seem to be a reason for the constipation or it is causing significant problems with quality of life or other complications, further testing might be used.
Anorectal Manometry
Anorectal manometryhelps determine if the muscles in the anal sphincter are working as they should or if they are weakened in some way.
This test is fairly invasive. Anenema(introducing liquid through the anus) may be given to clear out the rectum. A catheter is then placed into the rectum to measure the pressure there. The patient will then be asked to squeeze the muscles of the anus or to bear down as you would with a bowel movement. The catheter will take readings at that time.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Defecography
MRI defecography is an imaging study used to diagnose pelvic floor dysfunction and causes of pelvic pain and constipation. MRI uses radio waves and strong magnets to create the image.
In this study, a gel-like substance is placed in the rectum, and images are taken as you bear down and when you relax those muscles.
Colonoscopy
In acolonoscopy, a lighted tube with a camera on the end is inserted through the rectum and up through the colon.This procedure is not generally needed to diagnose constipation but may be used if there are symptoms that suggest further assessment is needed.The healthcare provider takes images and can even administer some treatments (such as removing polyps).
Possible Complications of Constipation
When to Contact a Healthcare Provider
It isn’t always necessary to seek care for constipation because it can resolve on it’s own with lifestyle changes. However, it is something to bring up with your healthcare provider at your next visit.
A healthcare provider should investigate chronic (ongoing) constipation, especially when there are complications or the constipation is affecting your quality of life. For example, always needing to know where the bathroom is or having daily abdominal pain and bloating are reasons to talk to a healthcare provider.
People who have underlying medical conditions that could lead to constipation should also discuss it with a healthcare provider. Constipation could indicate that something is amiss with the management of that condition, and the treatment plan may need to be adjusted.
Constipation Danger Signs
How to Prevent Constipation
Constipation can’t always be prevented. However, when it occurs, it can help to pay attention to the signs to avoid discomfort in the future.
Steps to prevent constipation include:
Summary
17 Sources
Verywell Health 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.
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U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025. 9th Edition. December 2020.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Eating, diet, and nutrition for constipation.
Bellini M, Tonarelli S, Barracca F, et al.Chronic constipation: Is a nutritional approach reasonable?Nutrients. 2021;13:3386. doi:10.3390/nu13103386
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition. Washington, DC.
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National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diagnosis of constipation.
UCLA Health.Anorectal manometry test preparation instructions.
Cedars Sinai.MRI defecography.
Loyola Medicine.Colonoscopy: screening vs. diagnostic.
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