Constipation: Causes, Treatment and Warning Signs

Constipation changes how often or how easily a person passes stool. It may follow changes in diet, routine, activity, or medicine use^4,5. Another health problem may also play a role^4,5.

This guide covers constipation causes, treatment, prevention, and when to see a doctor. It explains common constipation symptoms and safe steps for constipation relief. It also describes how doctors may assess chronic constipation.

Changes in diet and activity can often help manage constipation at home^1,4. Nonprescription medicines are another treatment option. Severe pain, blood in the stool, or symptoms lasting over three weeks need medical care⁵.

Constipation can mean having fewer than three stools per week. It can also mean that stool is hard or difficult to pass. Some people have both problems.

Constipation symptoms involve more than bowel movement frequency. Stool texture and the effort needed to pass stool also matter.

Common constipation symptoms include the following:

A person may notice several symptoms at the same time. However, the word constipation can have different meanings. Some people focus on hard stool, while others focus on how often they go.

Short-term constipation may follow a change in diet, activity, fluids, or routine^4,5. Travel, stress, and holding back the urge to pass stool may also play a role⁵.

Long-term constipation is also called chronic constipation. It may be primary or secondary⁹. Primary constipation starts with how the bowel moves or empties⁹.

Primary forms include normal-transit and slow-transit constipation⁹. They also include disorders that affect the act of passing stool⁹. Secondary constipation may be linked to medicines, disease, or a change in body structure⁹.

Chronic constipation can have a major effect on quality of life⁹. It may require care for another health problem that causes or worsens it.

Constipation refers to a change in bowel habits, but the term has several meanings. Stool may be too hard, too small, hard to pass, or passed less than three times weekly.

It helps to compare the current pattern with the usual pattern. Note how often bowel movements occur. Also note hard stool, strain, and the sense of incomplete emptying.

These details can make a medical visit more useful. They allow a clinician to see the full pattern rather than one symptom.

A short symptom record can help prepare for a medical visit. It may cover stool frequency, stool form, strain, diet changes, and new medicines.

Constipation may involve rare bowel movements, hard stool, or both. It may also cause a repeated sense that stool remains in the bowel.

The following questions may help organize the details:

These questions do not confirm a cause. They can help guide a talk with a healthcare professional.

Constipation causes fall into three broad groups. They include daily habits, medicines, and health conditions⁵. Chronic constipation may also stem from how the bowel moves or empties⁹.

A lack of fiber, fluids, or exercise can cause constipation. Low fiber intake, dehydration, and too little exercise are also known lifestyle factors⁵.

Changes in routine can affect bowel habits. Travel and changes in meal or sleep times may cause constipation⁵. Stress and holding back the urge to pass stool may also contribute⁵.

Factors that may play a part include the following:

Several factors may occur at once. Reviewing each one can help form a safe plan for constipation relief.

Many medicines can cause constipation⁵. Medicine use that worsens symptoms is also a risk factor that may be changed⁹.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist if a medicine could affect bowel function⁵. Bring a full medicine list to the visit. Include prescription drugs, store-bought products, and supplements.

Do not stop or change a prescribed medicine on your own. Ask the prescriber how to handle a medicine that may be adding to the problem.

Checking for alarm symptoms helps guide care for chronic constipation⁹. This step may help find a drug that is linked to the symptoms.

An underactive thyroid may contribute to constipation⁵. The medical name for this problem is hypothyroidism. Diabetes may also be linked to constipation⁵.

Other possible causes include uremia and hypercalcemia⁵. Uremia is waste buildup linked to poor kidney function. Hypercalcemia means the blood has a high calcium level.

Primary chronic constipation may involve normal or slow movement through the bowel⁹. It may also involve a disorder of passing stool⁹. In such a disorder, the emptying process does not work as it should.

Secondary chronic constipation may be linked to medicine or chronic disease⁹. A change in bowel habits may also be an alarm symptom⁹. Since causes differ, long-term symptoms may need a focused medical review.

Constipation treatment often starts with changes in food, fluids, and activity^1,4. Nonprescription medicines may also help. Chronic constipation may need a medicine change or prescription care.

Eating more high-fiber foods may help relieve constipation¹. Softer stool may be easier to pass¹. Adults need about 22 to 34 grams of fiber daily, based on age and sex¹.

Drink plenty of water and other fluids when adding more fiber¹. The same advice applies when taking a fiber supplement¹. Ask a healthcare professional for personal fluid advice when needed.

Useful first steps may include the following:

Regular physical activity may ease constipation symptoms¹. A doctor may also suggest bowel training¹. This means trying to pass stool at the same time each day¹.

Changes in food and drinks may treat and prevent constipation¹. These steps can form the base of a long-term care plan.

First-line care for primary chronic constipation includes enough fluid and fiber supplements⁹. Osmotic laxatives are also a first-line choice⁹. These laxatives draw water into the bowel.

A short trial of stimulant laxatives may be used as second-line care⁹. These products help the bowel move. The source places prescription intestinal secretagogues after that trial⁹.

Nonprescription medicines are used to treat constipation. The right choice may depend on the symptoms and current medicines. A doctor or pharmacist can help review the options.

Avoid adding one product after another without advice. If a treatment does not help, discuss the next step with a healthcare professional.

Chronic constipation may need prescription medicine. It may also require a change to current medicine or another form of care. Sometimes treatment must address a disease that causes or worsens constipation.

Before an appointment, consider making notes about these points:

The first medical review includes a detailed history and physical exam⁹. It also includes a check of all medicines⁹. This process is sometimes called medicine reconciliation.

Many treatment steps may also help prevent constipation. Changes in food and drinks may offer both treatment and prevention. Regular activity may help ease symptoms¹.

Adults need about 22 to 34 grams of fiber each day¹. The exact amount depends on age and sex¹. High-fiber foods may make stool softer and easier to pass¹.

Look for practical ways to add high-fiber foods during the day. A food record may help track the daily total. Food labels can also show how much fiber a product contains.

Drink water and other fluids when eating more fiber¹. This also applies when using a fiber supplement¹. Ask a clinician for personal advice if fluid intake must be limited.

Regular physical activity may help with constipation symptoms¹. Travel and changes in meal or sleep times may contribute to constipation⁵. Planning ahead may make it easier to keep a routine.

Holding back the urge to have a bowel movement may contribute to constipation⁵. When possible, make time to use the bathroom instead of delaying the urge.

Bowel training involves trying to pass stool at the same time each day¹. A doctor may suggest this method to improve regularity¹.

No one plan works for every situation. Medicines and chronic diseases may affect chronic constipation^5,9. Diet, activity, and bowel function may also play a role^5,9.

Ask a healthcare professional to review the plan if symptoms keep returning. This is important when a medicine or long-term illness may be involved.

Some constipation symptoms need medical assessment instead of more home care. The level of care should match the symptoms and the available medical guidance.

Call a healthcare provider if constipation occurs with severe pain⁵. Blood in the stool also needs a call to a healthcare provider⁵. Constipation that lasts longer than three weeks needs the same action⁵.

Contact a healthcare provider in the following situations:

The cited sources do not direct emergency care for these signs. If a situation seems life-threatening, call local emergency services.

Constipation lasting more than three weeks should be discussed with a healthcare provider⁵. Chronic constipation may need care for another condition that causes or worsens it.

An appointment can also help clarify a repeated bowel problem. Prepare to discuss stool form and bowel frequency. Also describe strain, incomplete emptying, and treatments already tried.

The review of chronic constipation starts with a detailed health history⁹. It also includes a full medicine check and physical exam⁹.

These steps may help find lifestyle factors or medicine effects^5,9. They may also point to chronic disease or a bowel movement disorder^5,9.

Routine lab tests and imaging are not advised for every person without alarm signs⁹. Routine colonoscopy is also not advised in that group⁹. An alarm sign is a symptom that raises concern about a more serious cause.

People with alarm signs should be referred for colonoscopy⁹. The same applies to those who are overdue for colon cancer screening⁹.

The need for tests depends on the personal situation. A clinician may use the symptoms, exam, medicines, health history, and screening status to plan care⁹.

Knowing constipation causes, treatment, prevention, and when to see a doctor can support safer choices. Constipation may mean fewer than three stools per week. It may also involve hard stool, strain, or incomplete emptying.

Fiber, enough fluids, regular activity, and bowel training may support constipation relief or prevention¹. Adults need about 22 to 34 grams of fiber daily, based on age and sex¹.

Chronic constipation may involve straining, and a change in bowel habits is an alarm symptom⁹. If severe pain or blood occurs, call a healthcare provider⁵. Make the same call if constipation lasts longer than three weeks⁵.