Constipation can occur for several reasons, typically involving how the muscles and movements in the gut work or don't work properly, diet and lifestyle factors, medications, and medical conditions. The main causes include:
- Slow transit constipation, where the gut muscles do not work properly, and stool moves too slowly through the bowel leading to hard, dry stools and infrequent urges.
- Normal transit constipation and irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS), where gut movement might be normal but symptoms persist.
- Defaecatory disorders, difficulty with bowel evacuation due to pelvic floor muscle problems.
- Lifestyle and diet factors such as low fiber intake, insufficient fluids, lack of exercise, ignoring the urge to go to the bathroom, high intake of processed foods, caffeine, or alcohol.
- Medications like painkillers, antidepressants, and iron supplements.
- Medical conditions affecting muscles, nerves, hormones, or metabolism like Parkinson’s, diabetes, thyroid issues, or spinal injuries.
- Changes in routine, stress, pregnancy, and aging.
Typical symptoms include infrequent bowel movements (less than three times a week), straining, hard or lumpy stools, feeling of incomplete bowel emptying, and sometimes bloating and abdominal pain. Improving intake of fiber-rich foods, drinking plenty of fluids, regular physical activity, and responding promptly to bowel urges are common first steps in relief. Persistent or severe constipation should be evaluated by a healthcare provider for underlying causes and tailored treatment.
