Being always constipated can have several causes, often related to lifestyle, diet, medications, or underlying medical conditions. Here are the key reasons:
- Diet and lifestyle: A common cause is insufficient fiber intake, not drinking enough fluids, lack of physical activity, and ignoring the urge to have a bowel movement. Diets high in processed foods, fats, and dairy can also contribute.
- Slow movement of stool: If stool moves too slowly through the colon, too much water is absorbed, making stool hard and difficult to pass. This slow transit can be due to muscle or nerve problems in the gut.
- Medications: Many medicines, including painkillers (especially opioids), antacids with aluminum or calcium, iron supplements, some antidepressants, antihistamines, and others, can cause constipation as a side effect.
- Health conditions: Conditions like hypothyroidism, diabetes, Parkinson's disease, irritable bowel syndrome, pelvic floor disorders (problems with muscles needed to pass stool), spinal cord injuries, and blockages from tumors can cause persistent constipation.
- Changes in routine, pregnancy, aging, or not responding to bowel movement urges can also lead to constipation.
If constipation is chronic or accompanied by other symptoms like severe pain, bleeding, or weight loss, it's important to seek medical evaluation to rule out serious conditions. Improving fiber intake, hydration, and physical activity often helps. However, identifying the specific cause is key to effective treatment. This comprehensive explanation outlines why constipation may persist always.
