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Constipation is one of those problems people quietly tolerate until it becomes too uncomfortable to ignore. So, what is constipation? At its simplest, constipation means difficulty passing stools or having fewer bowel movements than usual. For many, this looks like straining on the toilet, hard or lumpy stools, and a persistent feeling that the bowel hasn’t emptied properly.
This condition is not rare. Across the world, millions of adults report constipation at some point in their lives, and for a significant number, it becomes a recurring issue. Even when it’s not dangerous, constipation can lower your energy, affect your mood, and hamper your quality of life. That’s why awareness and early treatment matter. Let us know what constipation is, its causes, and how to treat it to help you avoid complications down the line.
Synopsis
What is Constipation?
Medically speaking, constipation is commonly defined as having fewer than three bowel movements per week or having stools that are hard, dry, and difficult to pass. But that clinical definition doesn’t capture the whole experience. For some people, constipation is about frequency; for others, it’s the effort required or the uncomfortable feeling of incomplete evacuation.
Constipation can be acute, a short-term episode related to a change in routine, travel, or a course of medication, or chronic, where symptoms persist for months. Doctors diagnose constipation using your symptom history, a physical exam, and sometimes basic tests to rule out other causes. If symptoms are long-standing or there are warning signs, further evaluation, such as blood tests or a colonoscopy, may be advised.
Chronic Constipation Causes in Adults:
Constipation has many faces with several factors acting together. Below are a few common constipation causes:
Lifestyle-related causes
A low-fibre diet, not drinking enough fluids, and a sedentary lifestyle are the most common constipation causes. Fibre adds bulk and softness to stool, water keeps it moving, and activity stimulates intestinal motion. Skip these basics and your bowels slow down.
Medical causes
Some medical conditions directly affect bowel function. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) can present with constipation-dominant symptoms. Metabolic problems such as diabetes or hypothyroidism slow bodily processes, including digestion. Neurological disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis, can reduce intestinal motility or affect the nerves controlling the pelvic floor.
Medication-related issues
Many medicines list constipation as a side effect. Painkillers (especially opioids), certain antidepressants, and supplements like iron and calcium can harden stools or slow transit. If constipation starts after a new medicine, discuss alternatives with your doctor rather than stopping treatment abruptly.
Other structural causes of constipation can be:
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Stricture.
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Rectal Prolapse.
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Fissures.
Symptoms of Constipation
The experience of constipation is often the same: fewer bowel movements, difficult or painful passage, and a sense of incomplete emptying. Typical constipation symptoms include:
● Passing stool less often than usual (sometimes fewer than three times a week).
● Straining during bowel movements.
● Hard, dry, or lumpy stools.
● Abdominal discomfort, cramping, or bloating.
● A persistent feeling of not having completely emptied the bowel.
When these symptoms are persistent, we call it chronic constipation. That’s when lifestyle measures alone may not be enough, and a proper medical plan becomes important.
Complications of Untreated Constipation
Leaving constipation unaddressed can lead to complications. Straining may cause haemorrhoids (piles) or anal fissures, small tears that make passing stool painful. In severe cases, prolonged constipation can lead to rectal prolapse or faecal impaction, where hardened stool blocks the rectum and requires medical removal. There’s also an emotional cost: anxiety, embarrassment, and reduced social activity are common among people with chronic bowel problems.
Diagnosis of Constipation
A thoughtful constipation diagnosis starts with a clear history: diet, bowel habits, medication list, and any recent weight changes or bleeding. Your doctor will perform a physical exam and may request simple blood tests to check for metabolic causes such as low thyroid function. If symptoms are severe, recent, or accompanied by alarming signs (like blood in stool or unexplained weight loss), further testing, imaging, or colonoscopy may be needed to exclude structural problems.
Treatment of Constipation
Most constipation improves with practical, everyday changes. When it doesn’t, medical treatments are available and effective.
Lifestyle & home remedies for constipation
Start with the basics. A few of the best foods for constipation relief include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes. Aim to drink sufficient water every day. A common question many people have is, “How much water should I drink for constipation?” While needs vary, a simple target is around 3 litres for most adults, which can be adjusted for activity and climate. Regular physical activity stimulates intestinal movement, so move more. Finally, honour your body’s signals: don’t delay going to the toilet when you feel the urge.
Medical treatments
If lifestyle steps aren’t enough, laxatives can help. Bulk-forming agents, osmotic laxatives, and short courses of stimulant laxatives each have a role, but they should be used cautiously and under guidance when needed. Prescription medications, such as lubiprostone, linaclotide, or prucalopride, are options for chronic constipation not responding to simpler measures. For patients with pelvic floor dysfunction, biofeedback therapy can retrain coordination. Surgery is rare and reserved for specific, severe cases.
A balanced approach that combines diet, fluids, movement, and targeted medical therapy usually restores regularity and comfort.
Prevention Tips
Preventing constipation is largely within your control. Here are practical steps that work:
● Eat a balanced diet rich in fibre every day - prunes, pears, whole grains, legumes, and leafy greens.
● Stay well hydrated. Small, regular sips often work better than gulping large volumes at once.
● Avoid excessive caffeine and alcohol, which can dehydrate.
● Keep active, consistent, moderate exercise helps bowel rhythm.
● Manage stress and keep a routine: regular mealtimes and allowing time for a morning bowel movement can make a difference.
When to See a Doctor?
Most occasional bowel issues resolve with the measures mentioned above. See a doctor sooner if: your constipation lasts more than three weeks; you notice blood in the stool; you experience severe abdominal pain or unexplained weight loss; or your bowel habits change suddenly without an obvious cause. These are times when further investigation is warranted to rule out other gut problems.
Conclusion
Constipation is common but manageable. By understanding what constipation is, recognising the typical symptoms, and acting on the causes, whether lifestyle, medication, or medical conditions, you can restore comfort and regularity. Simple home remedies for constipation and dietary changes often do the trick, but effective medical treatments exist when you need them. If symptoms persist, don’t hesitate to seek a clear constipation diagnosis and a treatment plan tailored to you at Manipal Hospitals. Constipation doesn’t need to control your life. With the right steps, relief is within reach.
FAQ's
The earliest signs are usually a change you notice, fewer bowel motions than normal, needing to strain, and passing hard or lumpy stools. You may also feel bloated, uncomfortable, or like the bowel hasn’t emptied completely. For many people, the “first sign” is simply going from daily stools to every other day, or feeling more effort is needed on the toilet.
Start with the basics: increase fibre from fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes; drink regularly (aim roughly for 2.5–3 litres a day unless your doctor says otherwise); and move, a daily walk stimulates the gut. Prunes or prune juice work reliably for many people. If you’re on medicines that constipate you, speak to your doctor about alternatives.
See a doctor sooner rather than later if constipation lasts more than three weeks, or if it’s accompanied by worrying signs: blood in the stool, severe or worsening abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, sudden change in bowel habits, or if you can’t pass stool or gas (possible impaction).
Good choices include prunes, pears, apples (with skin), kiwifruit, lentils and beans, oats, bran, wholegrain breads, and plenty of leafy greens. Seeds such as flaxseed (ground) add bulk and lubrication when mixed into yoghurt or porridge. Fermented foods or live-culture yoghurts can help some people by improving gut flora.
Laxatives can be safe when used sensibly. Bulk-forming agents (psyllium, ispaghula) are the gentlest first choice; they add bulk and work like a natural fibre. Osmotic laxatives (polyethylene glycol, lactulose) draw water into the bowel and are useful when bulk agents aren’t enough. Stimulant laxatives (senna, bisacodyl) work faster but are best for short-term use only. Avoid chronic daily use of stimulants without medical advice.
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