How to get constipated

Constipation - NHS

Constipation is common and it affects people of all ages. You can usually treat it with simple changes to your diet and lifestyle.

This page is about constipation in adults. There's separate information on constipation in babies and children.

Check if it's constipation

It's likely to be constipation if:

you have not had a poo at least 3 times during the last week
the poo is often large and dry, hard or lumpy
you are straining or in pain when you have a poo

You may also have a stomach ache and feel bloated or sick.

If you're caring for someone with dementia, constipation may be easily missed. Look out for any behaviour changes, as it might mean they are in pain or discomfort.

What causes constipation

Constipation in adults has many possible causes. Sometimes there's no obvious reason.

The most common causes include:

not eating enough fibre, which is found in fruits, vegetables and cereals
not drinking enough fluids
not moving enough and spending long periods sitting or lying down
being less active and not exercising
often ignoring the urge to go to the toilet
changing your diet or daily routine
a side effect of medicine
stress, anxiety or depression

Constipation is also common during pregnancy and for 6 weeks after giving birth.

Rarely, constipation may be caused by a medical condition.

How you can treat and prevent constipation yourself

Making simple changes to your diet and lifestyle can help treat constipation.

It's safe to try these simple measures when you're pregnant.

You may notice a difference within a few days. Sometimes it takes a few weeks before your symptoms improve.

Make changes to your diet

To make your poo softer and easier to pass:

drink plenty of fluids and avoid alcohol
increase the fibre in your diet
add some wheat bran, oats or linseed to your diet

Improve your toilet routine

Keep to a regular time and place and give yourself plenty of time to use the toilet.

Do not delay if you feel the urge to poo.

To make it easier to poo, try resting your feet on a low stool while going to the toilet. If possible, raise your knees above your hips.

Consider increasing your activity

A daily walk or run can help you poo more regularly.

Speak to a pharmacist for advice

Speak to a pharmacist if diet and lifestyle changes are not helping.

They can suggest a suitable laxative. These are medicines that help you poo more regularly.

Most laxatives work within 3 days. They should only be used for a short time.

Video: how to treat constipation

This video shows you how to treat constipation.

Media last reviewed: 1 July 2020
Media review due: 1 July 2023

Non-urgent advice: See a GP if you:

are constipated and it’s not getting better with treatment
are regularly constipated and it lasts a long time
are bloated and it lasts a long time
have blood in your poo
have lost weight without trying
are constipated and feel tired all the time
are taking medicine that’s causing constipation – such as opioid painkillers

Speak to the GP before you stop taking any prescribed medicine.

Complications of long-term constipation

Long-term constipation can lead to faecal impaction. This is where poo has built up in the last part of the large intestine (rectum).

The main symptom is diarrhoea after a long bout of constipation.

Faecal impaction may be treated with:

stronger laxatives – prescribed by a GP
a suppository – medicine you place in your bottom
a mini enema – where fluid is passed through your bottom, into your bowel
a healthcare professional removing some of the poo – this is not something you should do yourself

Community content from HealthUnlocked

Page last reviewed: 03 September 2020
Next review due: 03 September 2023

Constipation; Symptoms, Causes, Treatment & Prevention

Overview

What is constipation?

Having fewer than three bowel movements a week is, technically, the definition of constipation. However, how often you “go” varies widely from person to person. Some people have bowel movements several times a day while others have them only one to two times a week. Whatever your bowel movement pattern is, it’s unique and normal for you – as long as you don’t stray too far from your pattern.

Regardless of your bowel pattern, one fact is certain: the longer you go before you “go,” the more difficult it becomes for stool/poop to pass. Other key features that usually define constipation include:

Your stools are dry and hard.
Your bowel movement is painful and stools are difficult to pass.
You have a feeling that you have not fully emptied your bowels.

How common is constipation?

You are not alone if you have constipation. Constipation is one of the most frequent gastrointestinal complaints in the United States. At least 2.5 million people see their doctor each year due to constipation.

People of all ages can have an occasional bout of constipation. There are also certain people and situations that are more likely to lead to becoming more consistently constipated (“chronic constipation”). These include:

Older age. Older people tend to be less active, have a slower metabolism and less muscle contraction strength along their digestive tract than when they were younger.
Being a woman, especially while you are pregnant and after childbirth. Changes in a woman’s hormones make them more prone to constipation. The baby inside the uterus squishes the intestines, slowing down the passage of stool.
Not eating enough high-fiber foods. High-fiber foods keep food moving through the digestive system.
Taking certain medications (see causes).
Having certain neurological (diseases of the brain and spinal cord) and digestive disorders (see causes).

How does constipation happen?

Constipation happens because your colon absorbs too much water from waste (stool/poop), which dries out the stool making it hard in consistency and difficult to push out of the body.

To back up a bit, as food normally moves through the digestive tract, nutrients are absorbed. The partially digested food (waste) that remains moves from the small intestine to the large intestine, also called the colon. The colon absorbs water from this waste, which creates a solid matter called stool. If you have constipation, food may move too slowly through the digestive tract. This gives the colon more time – too much time – to absorb water from the waste. The stool becomes dry, hard, and difficult to push out.

Pathway of food waste through colon, rectum and anus.

Can constipation cause internal damage or lead to other health problems?

There are a few complications that could happen if you don’t have soft, regular bowel movements. Some complications include:

Swollen, inflamed veins in your rectum (a condition called hemorrhoids).
Tears in the lining of your anus from hardened stool trying to pass through (called anal fissures).
An infection in pouches that sometimes form off the colon wall from stool that has become trapped and infected (a condition called diverticulitis)
A pile-up of too much stool/poop in the rectum and anus (a condition called fecal impaction).
Damage to your pelvic floor muscles from straining to move your bowels. These muscles help control your bladder. Too much straining for too long a period of time may cause urine to leak from the bladder (a condition called stress urinary incontinence).

Does not having regular bowel movements cause toxins to build up in my body and make me sick?

Don’t worry, this usually isn’t the case. Although your colon holds on to stool longer when you are constipated and you may feel uncomfortable, the colon is an expandable container for your waste. There is possibly a slight risk of a bacterial infection if waste gets into an existing wound in the colon or rectum.

Symptoms and Causes

What causes constipation?

There are many causes of constipation – lifestyle choices, medications, medical conditions, and pregnancy.

Common lifestyle causes of constipation include:

Eating foods low in fiber.
Not drinking enough water (dehydration).
Not getting enough exercise.
Changes in your regular routine, such as traveling or eating or going to bed at different times.
Eating large amounts of milk or cheese.
Stress.
Resisting the urge to have a bowel movement.

Medications that can cause constipation include:

Strong pain medicines, like the narcotics containing codeine, oxycodone (Oxycontin®) and hydromorphone (Dilaudid®).
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, like ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®) and naproxen (Aleve®).
Antidepressants, including the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (like fluoxetine [Prozac®]) or tricyclic antidepressants (like amitriptyline [Elavil®]).
Antacids containing calcium or aluminum, such as Tums®.
Iron pills.
Allergy medications, such as antihistamines (like diphenhydramine [Benadryl®]).
Certain blood pressure medicines, including calcium channel blockers (like verapamil [Calan SR], diltiazem [Cardizem®] and nifedipine [Procardia®]) and beta-blockers (like atenolol [Tenormin®]).
Psychiatric medications, like clozapine (Clozaril®) and olanzapine (Zyprexa®).
Anticonvulsant/seizure medications, such as phenytoin and gabapentin.
Antinausea medications, like ondansetron (Zofran®).

Many drugs can cause constipation. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns.

Medical and health conditions that can cause constipation include:

Endocrine conditions, like underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism), diabetes, uremia and hypercalcemia.
Colorectal cancer.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Diverticular disease.
Outlet dysfunction constipation. (A defect in the coordination of pelvic floor muscles. These muscles support the organs within the pelvis and lower abdomen. They are needed to help release stool.)
Neurologic disorders, including spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and stroke.
Lazy bowel syndrome. The colon contracts poorly and retains stool.
Intestinal obstruction.
Structural defects in the digestive tract (like fistula, colonic atresia, volvulus, intussusception, imperforate anus or malrotation.)
Multiple organ diseases, such as amyloidosis, lupus and scleroderma.
Pregnancy.

What are the symptoms of constipation?

Symptoms of constipation include:

You have fewer than three bowel movements a week.
Your stools are dry, hard and/or lumpy.
Your stools are difficult or painful to pass.
You have a stomach ache or cramps.
You feel bloated and nauseous.
You feel that you haven’t completely emptied your bowels after a movement.

Diagnosis and Tests

What should I expect when I talk to my doctor about my constipation?

Talking to your doctor – or anyone – about your bowel movements (or lack of them) is not the most pleasant of topics. Know that your doctor is there for you. Doctors are trained health professionals who have discussed just about every health topic you can think of with their patients.

Your doctor will first ask you questions about your medical history, bowel movements, and your lifestyle and routines.

Medical history

These questions may include:

What are your current and past diseases/health conditions?
Have you lost or gained any weight recently?
Have you had any previous digestive tract surgeries?
What medications and supplements do you take for other disorders and for the relief of constipation?
Does anyone in your family have constipation or diseases of the digestive tract or a history of colon cancer?
Have you had a colonoscopy?

Bowel movement history

These questions may include:

How often do you have a bowel movement?
What do your stools look like?
Have you noticed any blood or red streaks in your stool?
Have you ever seen blood in the toilet bowl or on the toilet paper after you wipe?

Lifestyle habits and routines

What food and beverages do you eat and drink?
What is your exercise routine?

Your doctor will also perform a physical exam, which includes a check of your vital signs (temperature, pulse, blood pressure). He or she will use a stethoscope to listen to the sounds in your abdomen. Your abdomen will also be touched to check for pain, tenderness, swelling, and lumps.

Be aware that your doctor will also perform a rectal exam. This is a finger exam of the inside of your rectum. It’s a quick check for any masses or problems that can be felt by finger.

What lab tests and other medical tests may be done to find the cause of my constipation?

Your doctor can order no tests or many types of tests and procedures. The decision of which ones your doctor might order for you depends on your symptoms, medical history, and overall health.

Lab tests: Blood and urine tests reveal signs of hypothyroidism, anemia, and diabetes. A stool sample checks for signs of infection, inflammation, and cancer.

Imaging tests: Computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or lower gastrointestinal tract series may be ordered to identify other problems that could be causing your constipation.

Colonoscopy: A colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy– an internal view of your colon with a scope – may be performed. During this procedure, a small sample of tissue (biopsy) may be taken to test for cancer or other problems and any found polyps will be removed.

Colorectal transit studies: These tests involve consuming a small dose of a radioactive substance, either in pill form or in a meal, and then tracking both the amount of time and how the substance moves through your intestines.

Other bowel function tests: Your doctor may order tests that check how well your anus and rectum hold and release stool. These tests include a certain type of x-ray (defecography), done to rule out causes of outlet dysfunction constipation, and the insertion of a small balloon into the rectum (balloon expulsion test and anorectal manometry).

Management and Treatment

How is constipation treated?

Self-care

Most cases of mild to moderate constipation can be managed by you at home. Self-care starts by taking an inventory of what you eat and drink and then making changes.

Some recommendations to help relieve your constipation include:

Drink two to four extra glasses of water a day. Avoid caffeine-containing drinks and alcohol, which can cause dehydration.
Add fruits, vegetables whole grains and other high-fiber foods to your diet. Eat fewer high-fat foods, like meat, eggs and cheese.
Eat prunes and/or bran cereal.
Keep a food diary and single out foods that constipate you.
Get moving, exercise.
Check how you sit on the toilet. Raising your feet, leaning back or squatting may make having a bowel movement easier.
Add an over-the-counter supplemental fiber to your diet (like Metamucil®, Citrucel®, and Benefiber®).
If needed, take a very mild over-the-counter stool softener or laxative (such as docusate [Colace®] or Milk of Magnesia®). Mineral oil enemas, like Fleet®, and stimulant laxatives, like bisacodyl (Dulcolax®) or senna (Senokot®), are other options. There are many laxative choices. Ask your pharmacist or doctor for help in making a choice. Do not use laxatives for more than two weeks without calling your doctor. Overuse of laxatives can worsen your symptoms.
Do not read, use your phone or other devices while trying to move your bowels.

Medication/supplement review

In addition to self-care methods, your doctor will review your medications and supplements (if you take any). Some of these products can cause constipation. If they do, your doctor may change the dose, switch to another drug and/or ask that you stop taking the supplement. Never stop taking your medications or supplements before talking with your doctor first.

Prescription medications

A few prescription drugs are available to treat constipation. These include lubiprostone (Amitiza®), prucalopride (Prudac®, Motegrity®), plecanatide (Trulance®), lactulose (Cephulac®, Kristalose®) and linaclotide (Linzess®). Your doctor will pick the drug that might work best for you based on the results of your tests.

Surgery

Surgery is rarely needed to treat constipation. Your doctor may, however, recommend surgery if constipation is caused by a structural problem in the colon. Examples of these problems include a blockage in the colon (intestinal obstruction), a narrowing in a portion of the intestine (intestinal stricture), tear in the anus (anal fissure) or the collapse of part of the rectum into the vagina (rectal prolapse). Some causes of outlet dysfunction constipation may be treated with surgery. This is best discussed after testing. You may also need surgery if cancer was found in your colon, rectum or anus.

Prevention

How can I prevent constipation?

Use the same home-based methods you used to treat constipation to prevent it from becoming a chronic problem:

Eat a well-balanced diet with plenty of fiber. Good sources of fiber are fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole-grain breads and cereals. Fiber and water help the colon pass stool. Most of the fiber in fruits is found in the skins, such as in apples. Fruits with seeds you can eat, like strawberries, have the most fiber. Bran is a great source of fiber. Eat bran cereal or add bran cereal to other foods, like soup and yogurt. People with constipation should eat between 18 and 30 grams of fiber every day.
Drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day. (Note: Milk can cause constipation in some people.) Liquids that contain caffeine, such as coffee and soft drinks, can dehydrate you. You may need to stop drinking these products until your bowel habits return to normal.
Exercise regularly.
Treat mild constipation with a dietary supplement like magnesium. (Not everyone should take magnesium. Check with your doctor before taking.)
Move your bowels when you feel the urge. Do not wait.

Living With

When should I call my doctor?

Call your healthcare provider if:

Constipation is a new problem for you.
You see blood in your stool.
You are losing weight unintentionally.
You have severe pain with bowel movements.
Your constipation has lasted more than three weeks.
You have symptoms of outlet dysfunction constipation.

Remember, talk openly and honestly with your doctor about your bowel movements and any questions or concerns you may have. Pooping is something we all should be doing. Constipation may be a temporary situation, a long-term problem or a sign of a more serious condition. Be safe. See your doctor, especially if you’ve noticed a change in your bowel pattern or if your life is being ruled by your bowels.

how to make stool regular and live longer / Clinic EXPERT

Zinovieva Evgenia Nikolaevna

General practitioner, gastroenterologist, hepatologist of the highest category, Ph.D.

Everyone has had constipation at least once in their life, and 30 to 50% of the population suffers from permanent constipation. We will talk about the regularity of the stool, what is normal, how to improve the situation, who to contact and what examinations to undergo if constipation does not go away.

How does it work and what is a normal stool like?

In short, in the large intestine, the remnants of food are mixed, water is absorbed, feces are formed and move to the “exit” - the rectum, where the wall stretches, the urge to defecate appears and the feces are excreted.

Why do you need to know? To distinguish normal from non-normal. Regular stools are a sign of good digestion and promote health and longevity.

It takes at least 20 hours and a maximum of 3 days for the feces to completely pass through the intestines. When the stool is in the colon longer, it becomes hard, like “sheep”. Therefore, if you visit the toilet less than once every 3 days, and the feces look like the first 2 pictures, this is constipation. See what feces are considered normal (type 3 and 4):

If you want to go to the toilet at night, these are signs of illness. Because the contractions of the colon - peristalsis, appear in the morning, at night the intestines "rest". See a doctor, do not treat yourself, if during a bowel movement you feel that:

you have “something left” in your intestines, there is no feeling of relief
you need to push
you want to, but you can’t go to the toilet
everything is “blocked” in the stomach
you feel puffy
you need help to empty your intestines
this condition lasts for more than half a year and the situation is getting worse.

Why is "normal" constipation dangerous?

Stool retention is not so harmless. Constipation is the cause of many health problems:

Hemorrhoids worsen, anal fissures appear, the risk of rectal prolapse is increased - in 7 out of every 10 patients.
There is a dysfunction - irritable bowel syndrome.
There are predisposing factors for the development of colitis, allergies.
The necessary vitamins and minerals do not enter the body.
The patient becomes irritable, suffers from depression and neurosis.
Often worried about chronic fatigue syndrome.

Those who suffer from constipation have an increased risk of:

colonic diverticulosis (protrusion and thinning of the intestinal wall) and its complications, up to intestinal perforation and peritonitis - in every fifth
colon polyps are found in every tenth
cancer of the colon and rectum - in every twentieth.

Do not take it to extremes - treat constipation in time.

5 tips from a gastroenterologist for those who want to get rid of constipation

Tip #1 - change your lifestyle

not sleep through the night. The intestine "loves" the right food, the regularity in its intake - 3-4 times a day, and a calm environment, without extreme sports.

Tip #2 - choose your diet

On the "out" you get the consequences of what you got "in". There are foods that make the stool softer, and the intestines are forced to work more actively. Include in the diet: vegetable oils, freshly squeezed vegetable juices, fermented milk products - fresh kefir, crumbly cereals with dried fruits, soups, fruits, raw and processed vegetables, healthy fiber. Fried, fatty, smoked meats, preservatives and other "chemistry" in products are prohibited.

Advice #3 – drink enough fluids

You have certainly heard that “you have to drink a lot”. But how much is enough? Scientists have set the norm - 30 ml per 1 kg of ideal body weight (you can find a body weight calculator on the network, and by substituting your data, calculate it). The liquid should be warm to quickly get into the intestines, and honey can be added to the water.

Tip #4 - Don't lie on the couch

If you spend your days at the office and your evenings watching TV or surfing the Internet, your gut may well go on strike. In order for the chair to be regular, physical activity for at least an hour 3 times a week is the best way out. Can't devote so much time, there is no opportunity to visit the gym? Walk, climb stairs, use every minute to keep fit.

Tip #5 – don’t treat yourself, see a doctor

When kefir, prunes on an empty stomach and warm water with honey don’t help, but it’s time to see a doctor:

you notice blood in your stool like a tape
bowel problems suddenly appeared, especially after 50 years
you suffer from constipation, lost a lot of weight, but the diet remained the same
you have abdominal pain or discomfort before or after a bowel movement
constipation replaces diarrhea
pain in the rectum
appetite worsened, aversion to certain foods
you get tired more quickly
you have a fever colon and rectum, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease.

In conclusion, a few interesting clinical cases from our practice:

Constipation and… thyroid gland: where is the connection?

We were approached by a young woman, 23 years old. It turned out that she was worried about constipation for 1.5 years! Our doctor carefully interviewed the patient and found out that during pregnancy, 3 years ago, she had a dysfunction of the thyroid gland, but nothing bothered and no treatment was carried out.

We examined her more carefully and found out that the constipation was caused by autoimmune thyroiditis - a common situation in women, when the body "attacks" its own thyroid gland, it gradually collapses and the level of hormones drops. One of the symptoms of autoimmune thyroiditis is constipation. Our endocrinologist prescribed treatment, thyroid function returned to normal, and joint work with a gastroenterologist gave the result - constipation disappeared.

Constipation and something else

A 67-year-old patient came to us with complaints of constipation. Laxatives didn't help. The doctor examined him, but found no significant abnormalities. However, the age and nature of the complaints alerted, and the patient was sent for a detailed examination.

In the blood test, a decrease in hemoglobin, an increase in ESR, occult blood in the stool was detected using the Colon View supersensitive occult blood test in the stool. We performed a colonoscopy - examination of the intestines with a flexible endoscope and revealed a tumor in the intestines. Luckily, we made it on time.

The patient has been successfully operated on and is being followed up by a gastroenterologist and an oncologist.

How can we help you?

Consult a competent specialist — our gastroenterologist will examine you in detail, if necessary, appoint additional consultations of related specialists and control the treatment process, from the first visit to the result.
Identify the cause of constipation — we have all the necessary equipment of an expert class and highly qualified diagnostic specialists to conduct a detailed examination - tests, ultrasound, endoscopic examinations.
Save you time and money - to find out why your bowel refuses to work regularly, we created a free interview with a gastroenterologist to schedule an examination. If you are concerned about the symptoms, but you do not know where to start, during the conversation you will be assigned the necessary range of studies.

Constipation is the cause and effect of many diseases. A competent doctor will help to understand them. You should not prescribe laxatives for yourself, get carried away with enemas and “pull” with a visit to a gastroenterologist. You can miss something important and waste precious time. Don't risk it - see a professional.

7 main reasons and what to do about it?

Constipation is a bowel movement every two days or less. If the stool occurs irregularly, then something is wrong with the intestines. We will analyze the main reasons and find out how to fix the stool and when it is time to see a doctor.

1. Constipation due to lack of water
2. Constipation due to lack of fiber
3. Bloating and constipation
4. Hormonal problems and constipation
5. External factors and spastic constipation
6. Taking drugs and dietary supplements as a cause of constipation
7. Sedentary lifestyle and atonic constipation
8. What you need to know about constipation

Constipation due to lack of water

Nutrients from the food bolus are absorbed in the small intestine, and undigested particles move further into the large intestine. It is there that feces are formed. Water is also absorbed there - and the consistency of feces depends on its quantity.

With a lack of water, typical symptoms of constipation appear: feces become hard, dense and lumpy, with difficulty moving through the intestines.

If a person does not systematically drink enough water, he develops chronic constipation.

The recommended water intake is about two liters per day. If you don’t feel like drinking plain water with glasses at all, soups, boiled or steamed food, fruits and dishes from fresh vegetables will help you “get back to normal”. If there are problems with stools, fried, dried, smoked foods and dry snacks are best avoided - such foods are more likely to worsen the situation.

Constipation due to lack of fiber

Just drinking water is only half the battle against constipation. It is fiber that retains water in the stool due to swelling, helping to promote it. Fiber is soluble and insoluble, and it is advisable to consume both types of dietary fiber daily.

The recommended fiber intake for an adult is about 30 grams per day. That's at least one fruit a day and one generous serving of vegetables. Also, mucus-forming products with soluble fiber - flaxseed porridge, psyllium husks - will also help.

For constipation, you don't have to eat tasteless bran or unloved vegetables. You can add healthy fibers to your diet using a variety of foods and dishes:

berries;
mushrooms;
leafy greens;
seedlings of legumes and grains;
seeds;
dried and pickled seaweed;
whole grain bread;
brown rice;
whole grain spaghetti;
whole grain breads;
smoothies;
whole grain cereals;
dried fruit without added sugar.

Fiber not only helps you go to the toilet regularly, but also feeds the intestinal microbiota. To maintain a healthy diversity of microflora, you need to consume a variety of types of dietary fiber.

Abdominal distension and constipation

A persistent excess of gas in the intestines can cause spastic constipation. Accumulated gases prevent feces from moving along the tract. They cause pain and discomfort, cause spasms, because the intestinal loops are compressed, transferred.

A common cause of bloating is dysbacteriosis, in which pathogenic microflora takes precedence over beneficial ones.

Atlas microbiota test will help you to find out the ratio of probiotic and other beneficial bacteria, to assess the diversity of the microbiota. By examining your bacteria, it is much easier to understand how to deal with bloating and constipation and what your microbiota is missing.

Hormonal problems and constipation

Thyroid hormones regulate essential bodily functions, including metabolism and digestion. With hypothyroidism, a violation of the production of thyroxine, chronic constipation and other digestive disorders may occur.

The symptoms of hypothyroidism are very non-specific, so you need to get tested to check your thyroid hormones. When their levels are low, a person may also experience chronic fatigue, excessive sweating, muscle weakness, weight fluctuations, or heart rhythm disturbances.

External factors and spastic constipation

The gut-brain axis is a two-way communication between the gastrointestinal tract and the brain. Fear, or even pleasurable excitement, is stress on the body that triggers the fight-flight-or-freeze response. Therefore, before an important event, such as a flight or an interview, it can be difficult to go to the toilet.

Stress can inhibit peristalsis and cause spastic constipation, accompanied by acute colic.

Therefore, before a trip or an important meeting, it is better to have dinner with something easily digestible and not causing heaviness and seething in the stomach. A warm bath or shower, taking antispasmodics, a hot drink, meditation and massage will help you relax.

Medications and dietary supplements as a cause of constipation

Constipation is mentioned as a side effect in the instructions for hundreds of different drugs. If you've improved your diet but are still suffering from chronic constipation, check to see if you're taking any medication or food supplement that could be causing it.

These drugs and supplements can slow down peristalsis and interfere with regular bowel movements:

antidepressants;
antipsychotics;
containing iron;
sedatives;
diuretics;
containing aluminium;
anti-inflammatory.

This does not mean that you have to stop taking medications or supplements yourself if your stool is broken. Try to increase fluid and fiber intake and eat regularly. If that doesn't work, see your doctor and ask them to choose an alternative with less side effects or a mild laxative.

Sedentary lifestyle and atonic constipation

Atonic constipation often occurs in old age, when body functions gradually slow down. But young people can also suffer from constipation, caused not by hypertonicity or spasms, but by a simple lack of movement.

When playing sports or simply having an active lifestyle, the blood circulates more intensively through the body, and metabolic processes are accelerated. Cycling, walking and running will help with this. Also, in the fight against constipation, it is better to pay attention to activities in which you can move in a variety of ways and include the abdominal muscles. It can be dancing, swimming, yoga, gymnastics.

What you need to know about constipation

Don't worry about chronic constipation - it's not a sign of cancer. But the problem cannot be ignored either. Persistent constipation and the need to push hard to have a bowel movement can actually increase your risk of developing hemorrhoids or tumors. If you cannot determine the cause of constipation on your own and eliminate it, you need to consult a doctor.

To cope with constipation, it is not necessary to immediately take laxatives. It is much more useful to pay attention to the diet. About what products help to avoid constipation, we wrote a separate article.

Severe pain, weight loss, blood or mucus in the stool, unusually thin pencil-like stools - these symptoms should be reported to a doctor. It is important to be examined and check for inflammation, polyps or other neoplasms in the intestines. Your doctor may order a calprotectin test, a marker of intestinal inflammation, a colonoscopy, and other tests.

The state of the microbiota affects the regularity of the stool - we talk about it in detail in our blog. But each microbiota is unique. You can examine your gut bacteria with the Atlas Microbiota Test and get personalized advice on dietary changes, as well as your risk for Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and other gastrointestinal conditions.

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