Given the wide range of normal bowel function, feeling constipated varies from person to person. A change in your usual pattern may indicate you are constipated. Constipation symptoms are usually relieved by having a bowel movement. Symptoms of constipation include:
- Infrequent bowel movements
- Hard or small stools
- Difficult-to-pass stools that require straining and may cause pain
- Incomplete bowel movements with a feeling of "still needing to go"
- Feeling bloated
- Mild nausea or abdominal cramps
Most often, constipation is due to a combination of any of these three factors:
- A diet low in fiber
- Inadequate fluid intake
- Lack of physical activity or exercise
Other causes may include:
- Medical conditions, such as diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome, low thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism), depression and other less common diseases
- Medications prescribed for pain relief, high blood pressure, antidepressants, psychiatric drugs and antacids
- Inflammatory bowel diseases such as diverticulitis or Crohn's disease that cause excessive scarring and narrowing
- Tumors or growths in the colon that physically block the bowel
Generally, constipation can be prevented by maintaining good intestinal health by:
- Eating 25 to 35 grams of fiber per day
- Choosing whole grain breads, cereals and fiber bars, fresh fruits and vegetables
- Drinking six to eight glasses of water per day
- Exercising regularly (such as taking a brisk walk 30 minutes a day)
Consult your physician before taking laxatives. There are many over-the-counter laxatives available in grocery stores and pharmacies. Laxatives help alleviate constipation but work in different ways. They may need to be taken on a regular basis for effective relief of chronic constipation.
Schedule an appointment with a member of our team as soon as possible if constipation is:
- Recurring and persistent
- Long term, but more frequent or severe
- Uncontrolled even though you have followed the prevention tips
- Severely painful or accompanied by blood in your stools
- Associated with a change in normal bowel habits (such as narrow or loose stools)
- Associated with excessive weight loss or rectal bleeding