Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSevere Constipation SymptomsComplications of Severe ConstipationWhen to See a Healthcare ProviderConstipation Relief and Prevention Tips
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Severe Constipation Symptoms
Complications of Severe Constipation
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Constipation Relief and Prevention Tips
It happens to about everyone at some point. You can’t move your bowels, or your stool is so hard that it hurts to go. You’reconstipatedand uncomfortable. Most of the time, you can get back on track within a few days with some self-care.
However, severe constipation is an emergency when you also have a fever, vomiting, or severeabdominal bloatingand pain.
This article describes severe constipation, when it’s an emergency, and how to relieve symptoms.
Virojt Changyencham / Getty Images
Typically,constipationis no cause for alarm. But chronic constipation is a sign that something isn’t working right. And some symptoms suggest severe constipation that requires emergency care.
Some people have more than one bowel movement daily, while others have only a few a week. Both can be normal, depending on the person. Constipation is when you’ve had fewer than three bowel movements in a week. Other signs of constipation have to do with consistency, such as stool that is:
Even when you go, you might feel you haven’t passed everything. Straining every time or not having a bowel movement for a week are signs of severe constipation.
Why Am I Always Constipated? 9 Possible Causes
Abdominal Pain
Abdominal pain can accompany constipation due totrapped gasand hard stool. You may feel minor stomach cramps or sharp pains throughout your abdomen.
Bloating
The longer stool stays in your colon, the more timegut bacteriahave to ferment it.That’s how constipation traps gas in the abdomen, making you feelbloatedand full. You might even have some visibleabdominal distention.
Vomiting
Problems in the lower gastrointestinal tract can cause loss of appetite, nausea, andvomiting.It may be due to severe constipation, complications of constipation, or agastrointestinal disease.
Blood in Your Stool
You might haverectal bleedingdue to complications such ashemorrhoids(swollen veins in the lower rectum and inside or outside the anus) oranal fissures(small cracks and tears on the skin around the anus).Rectal bleeding with constipation can also indicate a condition such asdiverticulitisorcolon cancer.
Fever
Constipation doesn’t cause afever, so you likely have something else. Diverticulitis andappendicitiscan cause both constipation and fever. It’s also possible that the fever is unrelated to the constipation.
Straining and hard stools can lead to hemorrhoids and anal fissures. Severe constipation can lead to fecal impaction and rectal prolapse.
Fecal impactionis when you have a large amount of tightly packed hard stools that you can’t push out. The mass blocks the path, making constipation even worse. Sometimes, a person with severe constipation can experience overflow diarrhea (paradoxical diarrhea) when watery stool leaks out around the impacted mass.
Untreated fecal impaction can lead tointestinal perforation,bowel obstruction, and ulceration. It can also affect other parts of the body, such as damage to the bladder or compression of nerve and vascular structures.
Rectal prolapseoccurs when the intestinal lining pushes out from the anal opening. After a bowel movement, the protrusion may slip back into place, or you may be able to push it back in yourself. It may get worse if you continue to strain to move your bowels or have very hard stools.
There’s no set timetable for when constipation becomes an emergency. If self-care measures don’t help, it’s time to see a healthcare provider, especially if you have a personal or family history ofcolonorrectalcancer or unexplained weight loss.
Signs that you may need immediate care include constipation with:
Constipation can be the primary problem or secondary to a medical condition or medication.If constipation is severe or chronic, it’s important todetermine the cause.
For fecal impaction, immediate treatment may involve abdominal massage anddigital disimpaction. That’s when a healthcare provider uses a gloved finger manually to break up and remove stool from the rectum.Other treatments may include suppositories or enemas.
A low-fiber diet, not drinking enough water, a sedentary lifestyle, and ignoring the urge to go can make constipation more likely.To help relieve or prevent constipation, try to:
To increasedietary fiber, try to include more:
If you can’t get enough fiber in your diet, try usingfiber supplementsthat help absorb water and keep you regular.It might also help to avoid low-fiber foods such as ice cream, cheese, meat, and processed foods.
You can also trybowel training. The goal is to be more regular in attempting to move your bowels at the same time each day, say 15 to 45 minutes after breakfast.Try to relax and allow plenty of time. It can take a while to form a new habit.
Over-the-Counter Remedies
Some over-the-counter (OTC) remedies can help relieve constipation.
Stool softenersare oral liquids, tablets, or capsules that soften hard stool to make it easier to move your bowels with less straining. It usually takes a few days to work. Avoid using stool softeners longer than a week without speaking with a healthcare provider.
Bulk-forminglaxativesbulk up the stool, which can help move it through. Stimulant laxatives cause contractions of the intestinal wall to help push stool through. And osmotic laxatives pull water into the intestinal tract, which makes it easier to pass stool.
These products are available without a prescription, but using them as directed is important.Misuse of laxativescan lead to:
If you often need laxatives, consulting with a healthcare professional is best.
The 8 Best Fiber Supplements, According to a Dietitian
Summary
You might feel constipated if you haven’t gone for three days, while someone else feels constipated after just one day. If you’re severely constipated, you might also have abdominal pain, bloating, and vomiting. You may need emergency care.
Unresolved constipation can lead to serious complications. Severe or chronic constipation can also signify an underlying condition. You can try increasing fluids and eating more fiber. Or you can use a stool softener or laxative. If this doesn’t work, see a healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.
17 SourcesVerywell 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.Wong MYW, Hebbard G, Gibson PR, Burgell RE.Chronic constipation and abdominal pain: Independent or closely interrelated symptoms?Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.2020;35(8):1294-1301. doi:10.1111/jgh.14970National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of constipation.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Constipation.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Bloating: causes and prevention.Getto L, Zeserson E, Breyer M.Vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and gastroenteritis.Emerg Med Clin North Am. 2011;29(2):211-237. doi:10.1016/j.emc.2011.01.005National Institute on Aging.Concerned about constipation?NHS Inform.Complications of constipation.Serrano Falcón B, Barceló López M, Mateos Muñoz B, Álvarez Sánchez A, Rey E.Fecal impaction: a systematic review of its medical complications.BMC Geriatr. 2016;16:4. doi:10.1186/s12877-015-0162-5Pepe J, Murphy M, O’Connell K, Zabbo C.Fecal impaction with multisystem organ involvement.CPCEM. 2017;1(1):56-58. doi:10.5811/cpcem.2016.12.32754Johns Hopkins Medicine.Rectal prolapse.Araghizadeh F.Fecal impaction.Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2005;18(2):116-119. doi:10.1055/s-2005-870893Forootan M, Bagheri N, Darvishi M.Chronic constipation: a review of literature.Medicine (Baltimore). 2018;97(20):e10631. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000010631National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for constipation.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Eating, diet, & nutrition for constipation.Jin J.Over-the-counter laxatives.JAMA. 2014;312(11):1167-1167. doi:10.1001/jama.2014.2078MedLine Plus.Stool softeners.National Eating Disorders Association.Laxative abuse.
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.Wong MYW, Hebbard G, Gibson PR, Burgell RE.Chronic constipation and abdominal pain: Independent or closely interrelated symptoms?Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.2020;35(8):1294-1301. doi:10.1111/jgh.14970National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of constipation.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Constipation.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Bloating: causes and prevention.Getto L, Zeserson E, Breyer M.Vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and gastroenteritis.Emerg Med Clin North Am. 2011;29(2):211-237. doi:10.1016/j.emc.2011.01.005National Institute on Aging.Concerned about constipation?NHS Inform.Complications of constipation.Serrano Falcón B, Barceló López M, Mateos Muñoz B, Álvarez Sánchez A, Rey E.Fecal impaction: a systematic review of its medical complications.BMC Geriatr. 2016;16:4. doi:10.1186/s12877-015-0162-5Pepe J, Murphy M, O’Connell K, Zabbo C.Fecal impaction with multisystem organ involvement.CPCEM. 2017;1(1):56-58. doi:10.5811/cpcem.2016.12.32754Johns Hopkins Medicine.Rectal prolapse.Araghizadeh F.Fecal impaction.Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2005;18(2):116-119. doi:10.1055/s-2005-870893Forootan M, Bagheri N, Darvishi M.Chronic constipation: a review of literature.Medicine (Baltimore). 2018;97(20):e10631. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000010631National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for constipation.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Eating, diet, & nutrition for constipation.Jin J.Over-the-counter laxatives.JAMA. 2014;312(11):1167-1167. doi:10.1001/jama.2014.2078MedLine Plus.Stool softeners.National Eating Disorders Association.Laxative abuse.
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.
Wong MYW, Hebbard G, Gibson PR, Burgell RE.Chronic constipation and abdominal pain: Independent or closely interrelated symptoms?Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.2020;35(8):1294-1301. doi:10.1111/jgh.14970National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of constipation.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Constipation.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Bloating: causes and prevention.Getto L, Zeserson E, Breyer M.Vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and gastroenteritis.Emerg Med Clin North Am. 2011;29(2):211-237. doi:10.1016/j.emc.2011.01.005National Institute on Aging.Concerned about constipation?NHS Inform.Complications of constipation.Serrano Falcón B, Barceló López M, Mateos Muñoz B, Álvarez Sánchez A, Rey E.Fecal impaction: a systematic review of its medical complications.BMC Geriatr. 2016;16:4. doi:10.1186/s12877-015-0162-5Pepe J, Murphy M, O’Connell K, Zabbo C.Fecal impaction with multisystem organ involvement.CPCEM. 2017;1(1):56-58. doi:10.5811/cpcem.2016.12.32754Johns Hopkins Medicine.Rectal prolapse.Araghizadeh F.Fecal impaction.Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2005;18(2):116-119. doi:10.1055/s-2005-870893Forootan M, Bagheri N, Darvishi M.Chronic constipation: a review of literature.Medicine (Baltimore). 2018;97(20):e10631. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000010631National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for constipation.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Eating, diet, & nutrition for constipation.Jin J.Over-the-counter laxatives.JAMA. 2014;312(11):1167-1167. doi:10.1001/jama.2014.2078MedLine Plus.Stool softeners.National Eating Disorders Association.Laxative abuse.
Wong MYW, Hebbard G, Gibson PR, Burgell RE.Chronic constipation and abdominal pain: Independent or closely interrelated symptoms?Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.2020;35(8):1294-1301. doi:10.1111/jgh.14970
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of constipation.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Constipation.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Bloating: causes and prevention.
Getto L, Zeserson E, Breyer M.Vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and gastroenteritis.Emerg Med Clin North Am. 2011;29(2):211-237. doi:10.1016/j.emc.2011.01.005
National Institute on Aging.Concerned about constipation?
NHS Inform.Complications of constipation.
Serrano Falcón B, Barceló López M, Mateos Muñoz B, Álvarez Sánchez A, Rey E.Fecal impaction: a systematic review of its medical complications.BMC Geriatr. 2016;16:4. doi:10.1186/s12877-015-0162-5
Pepe J, Murphy M, O’Connell K, Zabbo C.Fecal impaction with multisystem organ involvement.CPCEM. 2017;1(1):56-58. doi:10.5811/cpcem.2016.12.32754
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Rectal prolapse.
Araghizadeh F.Fecal impaction.Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2005;18(2):116-119. doi:10.1055/s-2005-870893
Forootan M, Bagheri N, Darvishi M.Chronic constipation: a review of literature.Medicine (Baltimore). 2018;97(20):e10631. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000010631
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment for constipation.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Eating, diet, & nutrition for constipation.
Jin J.Over-the-counter laxatives.JAMA. 2014;312(11):1167-1167. doi:10.1001/jama.2014.2078
MedLine Plus.Stool softeners.
National Eating Disorders Association.Laxative abuse.
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