Constipation is a condition in which you may have fewer than three bowel movements a week; stools that are hard, dry, or lumpy; stools that are difficult or painful to pass; or a feeling that not all stool has passed. You usually can take steps to prevent or relieve constipation.
If your constipation does not go away with self-care or if you have long-term constipation, speak with a doctor. You should see a doctor if you have constipation and either bleeding from your rectum, blood in your stool, continual pain in your abdomen, or another sign of a medical problem.
Your doctor may use information from your medical and family history, a physical exam, or tests to find the cause of your constipation. If you've had constipation for a long time, your doctor may ask whether anyone in your family has a history of conditions that cause long-lasting constipation.
Your health care professional may tell you that you may be able to treat your constipation or prevent it by making changes to what you eat and drink, being more active, or taking over-the-counter medicines. If these treatments don't work, he or she may prescribe medicine or suggest biofeedback or surgery.
Get enough fiber in your diet to help prevent and treat constipation. Talk with your health care professional to plan a diet with the right amount of fiber for you. Be sure to add fiber to your diet a little at a time so your body gets used to the change.
Constipation is a condition in which you may have
However, people can have different bowel movement patterns, and only you know what's normal for you.
Constipation is not a disease but may be a symptom of another medical problem. Constipation may last for a short or long time.
Certain people are more likely to become constipated, including2
People who have constipation that lasts for a short time usually do not have complications. However, long-lasting constipation may have complications, including
Symptoms of constipation may include
You should see a doctor if your symptoms do not go away with self-care or you have a family history of colon or rectal cancer.
You should see a doctor right away if you have constipation and any of the following symptoms
You may be constipated for many reasons, and constipation may have more than one cause at a time. Causes of constipation may include
Medicines and dietary supplements that can make constipation worse include
Constipation can happen when your life or daily routine changes. For example, your bowel movements can change
Certain health and nutrition problems can cause constipation
Doctors use your medical and family history, a physical exam, or medical tests to diagnose and find the cause of your constipation.
Your doctor will ask you questions about your medical history, such as
Your doctor also is likely to ask questions about your symptoms, such as
Your doctor is likely to ask questions about your routines, such as
You may want to track your bowel movements and what your stools look like for several days or weeks before your doctor's visit. Write down or record the information so you can share it with your doctor.
If you've been constipated a long time, your health care professional may ask whether anyone in your family has a history of conditions that may cause long-lasting constipation, such as
During a physical exam, a health care professional may
Depending on your symptoms and health, your doctor may first try a treatment to improve your symptoms before using tests.
Your doctor may use one or more of the following lab tests to look for signs of certain diseases and conditions that may be causing your constipation
Your doctor may perform an endoscopy to look inside your anus, rectum, and colon for signs of problems in your lower digestive tract. Endoscopies for constipation include
During these two tests, your doctor may also perform a biopsy. A biopsy is a procedure that involves taking small pieces of tissue and examining them under a microscope. A doctor can use a biopsy to look for signs of cancer or other problems.
Your doctor may use bowel function tests called colorectal transit studies to see how well your stool moves through your colon.
Your doctor may also use one or more of the following tests to look for signs of certain diseases and conditions that may be causing your constipation
To look for other problems that may be causing your constipation, your doctor may perform an imaging test such as
You can most often treat your constipation at home by doing the following
Changing what you eat and drink may make your stools softer and easier to pass. To help relieve your symptoms
Read about what you should eat and drink to help relieve constipation. Depending on your age and sex, adults should get 25 to 31 grams of fiber a day.3
Getting regular physical activity may help relieve your symptoms.
Your doctor may suggest that you try to train yourself to have a bowel movement at the same time each day to help you become more regular. For example, trying to have a bowel movement 15 to 45 minutes after breakfast may help, because eating helps your colon move stool.
Make sure you give yourself enough time to have a bowel movement and use the bathroom as soon as you feel the need to go. Try to relax your muscles or put your feet on a footstool to make yourself more comfortable.
If you think certain medicines or dietary supplements are causing your constipation, talk with your doctor. He or she may change the dose or suggest a different medicine that does not cause constipation. Don't change or stop any medicine or supplement without talking with a health care professional.
Your health care professional may recommend using a laxative for a short time. He or she will tell you what type of laxative is best for you
You should only use stimulants if your constipation is severe or other treatments have not worked.
If you've been taking laxatives for a long time and can't have a bowel movement without taking a laxative, talk with your doctor about how you can slowly stop using them. If you stop taking laxatives, over time, your colon should start moving stool normally.
If self-care treatments don't work, your doctor may prescribe a medicine to treat your constipation. If you're taking an over-the-counter or prescription medicine or supplement that can cause constipation, your doctor may suggest you stop taking it, change the dose, or switch to a different one. Talk with your doctor before changing or stopping any medicines.
Your doctor may prescribe one of the following medicines for constipation
If you have problems with the muscles that control bowel movements, your doctor may recommend biofeedback therapy to retrain your muscles. By using biofeedback therapy, you can change how you make your muscles work.
Your doctor may recommend surgery to treat an anorectal blockage caused by rectal prolapse if other treatments don't work. Your doctor may perform surgery to remove your colon if your colon muscles don't work correctly. If your doctor recommends surgery, ask about the benefits and risks.
You can help prevent constipation by doing some of the same things that treat constipation
Eat enough fiber. Drink plenty of liquids to help the fiber work better.
Depending on your age and sex, adults should get 25 to 31 grams of fiber a day.4 Older adults sometimes don't get enough fiber because they may lose interest in food.
Talk with a health care professional, such as a dietitian, to plan meals with the right amount of fiber for you. Be sure to add fiber to your diet a little at a time so your body gets used to the change.
Good sources of fiber are
You should drink water and other liquids, such as naturally sweetened fruit and vegetable juices and clear soups, to help the fiber work better. This change should make your stools softer and easier to pass.
Drinking enough water and other liquids is also a good way to avoid dehydration. Staying hydrated is good for your overall health and can help you avoid getting constipated. Ask a health care professional how much liquid you should drink each day based on your size, health, activity level, and where you live.
To help prevent or relieve constipation, avoid foods with little to no fiber, such as
Your child may be constipated with fewer than two bowel movements a week; stools that are hard, dry, or lumpy; or stools that are difficult or painful to pass. Your child also may tell you that he or she feels that not all stool has passed.
If your child's constipation does not go away with at-home treatment, or if your child has had constipation for more than 2 weeks, talk with your child's doctor.
A doctor may use your child's medical and family history, a physical exam, or medical tests to find the cause of his or her constipation. You may want to track your child's bowel movements and what his or her stools look like for several days or weeks before the doctor's visit.
Your child's doctor may suggest changes to what your child eats and drinks to treat constipation, as well as changing bathroom habits. If these treatments don't work, your child's doctor may prescribe medicine.
Have your child eat enough fiber to help prevent and treat constipation. Talk with your child's doctor to plan a diet with the right amount of fiber for your family. Be sure to add fiber to your family's diet a little at a time so everyone gets used to the change.
Your child may be constipated with fewer than two bowel movements a week; stools that are hard, dry, or lumpy; or stools that are difficult or painful to pass. Your child also may tell you that he or she feels that not all stool has passed.
If your child's constipation does not go away with at-home treatment, or if your child has had constipation for more than 2 weeks, talk with your child's doctor.
A doctor may use your child's medical and family history, a physical exam, or medical tests to find the cause of his or her constipation. You may want to track your child's bowel movements and what his or her stools look like for several days or weeks before the doctor's visit.
Your child's doctor may suggest changes to what your child eats and drinks to treat constipation, as well as changing bathroom habits. If these treatments don't work, your child's doctor may prescribe medicine.
Have your child eat enough fiber to help prevent and treat constipation. Talk with your child's doctor to plan a diet with the right amount of fiber for your family. Be sure to add fiber to your family's diet a little at a time so everyone gets used to the change.