Constipation: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
✅ What is Constipation?
Constipation is a common digestive condition where a person experiences:
- Infrequent bowel movements (fewer than 3 per week)
- Difficulty passing stools
- Hard, dry, or lumpy stools
- A sensation of incomplete evacuation
It can be acute (short-term) or chronic (lasting several weeks or longer).
🚨 Key Symptoms of Constipation
| Symptom | Description |
|---|---|
| Infrequent stools | Less than 3 bowel movements per week |
| Hard or dry stools | Stools may be pebble-like or difficult to pass |
| Straining | Excessive effort during defecation |
| Abdominal discomfort | Bloating, cramping, or fullness |
| Feeling of blockage | Sensation that stool is stuck in the rectum |
| Incomplete evacuation | Feeling that the bowel hasn’t fully emptied |
🔍 Causes of Constipation
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Dietary | Low fiber intake, dehydration, excessive dairy or processed food |
| Lifestyle | Sedentary lifestyle, ignoring the urge to go |
| Medications | Opioids, antacids (with calcium or aluminum), iron supplements, antidepressants |
| Medical Conditions | IBS, hypothyroidism, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, pregnancy |
| Ageing | Slowed bowel function and weaker intestinal muscles |
| Psychological Factors | Stress, anxiety, eating disorders, depression |
🧪 How is Constipation Diagnosed?
- Medical history & physical exam
- Digital rectal examination
- Stool studies
- Imaging (X-ray, colonoscopy if needed)
- Anorectal tests (for chronic or complex cases)
🛠️ Treatment of Constipation
🥗 1. Lifestyle & Diet Changes
- Increase fiber to 25–38g/day: oats, lentils, apples, broccoli, flaxseed
- Stay hydrated: 8–10 glasses of water daily
- Exercise: at least 30 minutes of walking or activity daily
- Establish a toilet routine: go after meals, preferably same time daily
💊 2. Over-the-Counter Remedies
| Type | Examples | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Fiber supplements | Psyllium (Metamucil), methylcellulose | Add bulk |
| Stool softeners | Docusate sodium (Colace) | Soften stool |
| Osmotic laxatives | Polyethylene glycol (Miralax), milk of magnesia | Draw water into bowels |
| Stimulant laxatives | Senna, bisacodyl (Dulcolax) | Stimulate muscle contraction (short-term only) |
| Suppositories or Enemas | Glycerin, saline enemas | For immediate relief |
💉 3. Prescription Medications (for chronic cases)
- Lubiprostone
- Linaclotide
- Prucalopride
🩺 When to See a Doctor
- Constipation > 2 weeks
- Severe pain or rectal bleeding
- Unintentional weight loss
- Vomiting or abdominal swelling
- No improvement after OTC treatment
🛡️ Prevention Tips
| Tip | Description |
|---|---|
| Fiber-rich diet | Whole grains, beans, fruits, veggies, nuts |
| Hydration | Drink 2–3 liters of fluid daily |
| Regular physical activity | Walking, yoga, swimming |
| Toilet routine | Respond to natural urges promptly |
| Limit constipating foods | Red meat, cheese, processed foods, excess caffeine or alcohol |
🍽️ Sample Daily Constipation-Relief Diet
| Meal | Suggestions |
|---|---|
| Breakfast | Oatmeal + berries + flaxseeds + warm lemon water |
| Snack | Apple + handful of almonds |
| Lunch | Brown rice + lentils + spinach + cucumber salad |
| Snack | Prunes or yogurt with chia seeds |
| Dinner | Grilled veggies + quinoa + olive oil drizzle |
| Before bed | Herbal tea (senna, ginger, or peppermint) |
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