5 Causes of Constipation: Symptoms, Treatment

5 causes of constipation

Here are five causes of constipation, which include poor diet and lifestyle habits, medical conditions, and medications.

Poor diet
- Lack of fiber in the diet
  - Fiber helps absorb water, promotes smooth bowel movements, and causes large, soft, and bulky stool formation
- Less liquid consumption or decreased water intake
- Excess consumption of dairy products
- Too much alcohol or caffeine
Lifestyle and habits
- Lack of exercise
  - Good tone of the abdominal muscles and diaphragm plays a crucial role in the process of defecation
  - Regular exercise can effectively improve constipation in older people and people who have more of a sedentary lifestyle
Medical conditions
- Gastrointestinal
  - Irritable bowel syndrome (sluggish bowel movements with abdominal discomfort, constipation is often the predominant symptom, as well as diarrhea)
  - Diverticulitis
  - Celiac disease
  - Intestinal obstructions (such as adhesions due to past surgery)
  - Bowel cancer
  - Structural defects, such as fistula, volvulus, and imperforated anus
- Metabolic and endocrine disorders
  - Hypothyroidism
  - Diabetes
  - Hypercalcemia
  - Uremia
  - Chronic kidney disease
- Neurological
  - Multiple sclerosis
  - Parkinson’s disease
  - Spinal cord injury
  - Stroke
- Multiple organ involvement
- Congenital
  - Hirschsprung’s disease (a birth defect characterized by the absence of nerves in parts of the intestine)
Medications
- CNarcotics, aluminum-containing antacids, antispasmodics, antidepressants, tranquilizers, iron supplements, anticonvulsants, diuretics, sedatives, anticholinergics, and antihypertensive calcium channel blockers
- Opioid-induced constipation occurs in most cancer patients who take opioids for pain
Other causes
- Aging: The prevalence of constipation tends to increase as people age.
- Change in routine, such as travel
- Abuse of laxatives
- Stress
- Ignoring the urge to defecate
- Pregnancy
  - Hormonal disturbances
  - Enlarged uterus pressing the intestines
  - Diet and activity changes

What is constipation?

Constipation is a common condition, causing infrequent and unsatisfactory bowel movements.

The frequency of bowel movements varies with people; however, a person is constipated when there is any of the following:

Stools are hard, dry, or lumpy
Stools have not passed for three or more days (fewer than three bowel movements a week)
Passage of stool requires considerable straining or causes pain
A feeling that there is incomplete bowel emptying

Constipation is the most common gastrointestinal complaint, approximately 4 million people in the United States are estimated to suffer from this condition.

Normally, the colon (large intestine) absorbs water from the food that passes through it and the waste products or stools are pushed toward the rectum by the muscle contractions caused by the colon. Water absorption throughout this stool movement makes the stool solid, and then, it is eliminated through the anus.

When these muscle contractions are slow or sluggish, the stool moves through the colon very slowly, resulting in too much water absorption, thus making hard and dry stools.

8 symptoms of constipation

Symptoms may vary with people, but the most common include:

Difficulty passing stools
Pain during bowel movements
Uncomfortable, unsatisfied bowel movements
Hard, dry stools that require straining
Bloating
Abdominal pain
Loss of appetite
Sluggish feeling

How is constipation diagnosed?

Most people experience constipation at one time or another.

Doctors recommend tests depending on factors such as age, duration, severity, presence of blood in the stools, and recent weight loss.

Medical history: In-depth questions regarding the duration and severity of the complaint to determine the exact cause.
Physical examination:
- Abdominal examination: To check for tenderness or pain.
- Digital rectal examination (DRE): The doctor inserts a lubricated finger into the rectum to evaluate the anal muscle tone and identify any abnormalities, such as hemorrhoids or rectal polyps.
Abdominal X-ray
Barium enema: A procedure that uses barium, a fluid administered as an enema into the rectum.
- This fluid coats the inside of the gut to show up on X-rays.
- X-rays confirm the presence of strictures, obstructions, polyps, and other problems.
Sigmoidoscopy: A diagnostic procedure to examine the inside of the large intestine using a short, flexible, lighted tube called a sigmoidoscope that is inserted into the intestine through the rectum.
Colonoscopy:
- A procedure that involves inserting a long, flexible, lighted tube called a colonoscope through the rectum up into the colon.
- This helps identify abnormal growths, inflamed tissues, ulcers, and bleeding.
Colorectal transit study:
- A test to analyze the movement of food through the colon.
- Marked capsules are swallowed by the patient, multiple abdominal X-rays are taken three to seven days later while the patient is on a high-fiber diet.
Anorectal function test: To determine the functioning of the anus and rectum.

Latest Digestion News

Trending on MedicineNet

How is constipation treated?

Most often, diet and lifestyle modifications can relieve the symptoms and help prevent the condition.

Diet changes
- Including at least 20 to 35 grams of fiber daily helps form soft and bulky stools
- Add foods, such as beans, whole grains, nuts, lentils, bran cereals, fresh fruits, and green leafy vegetables to the diet
- Avoid or limit foods, such as ice cream, cheese, meats, eggs, and processed foods, which contain little or no fiber
- Increase water intake to keep the body hydrated
Stay physically active, regular exercise or a brisk walk for at least 30 minutes a day
Change or opt for replacement of medications that cause constipation after consulting with the doctor
Do not ignore the urge to have a bowel movement
Laxatives may be prescribed along with diet and lifestyle changes
- Stimulants
- Fiber supplements
- Stool softeners
- Lubricants

5 complications of constipation

Constipation is a symptom and not a disease. It is typically not a life-threatening condition, but if left untreated for a long period, it can lead to complications, such as:

Hemorrhoids (inflamed veins in the rectum)
Anal fissures (tears in the skin around the anus)
Rectal bleeding
Rectal prolapse
Fecal impaction (accumulation or pile-up of hardened stools in the rectum or the lower part of the colon)

Check Also

The 13 Healthiest Root Vegetables: List of Veggies

Due to their rich vitamin content, polyphenols, and beneficial effects on health, these are the 13 healthiest root vegetables to add to your diet. Starchy vegetables that grow in the soil are called root vegetables. Though other plant components develop through the soil and to the surface, the starchy portion, also called the storage organ, …

5 Causes of Constipation: Symptoms, Treatment