Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Constipation is common. Most cases of acute constipation happen because you are not eating enough of the right foods or in the right quantities , drinking enough water or getting enough exercise. So the fixes are simple: Move more, drink more water and add fiber to your diet or take it as a supplement to add bulk to your stool.
Some people have success taking probiotics , too, which can change the composition of the bacteria in the gut. Try waking up earlier to eat breakfast and then move your bowels. Food can stimulate the need to go, and you probably feel most relaxed in your home bathroom. Zutshi advises. Delaying a bowel movement can actually make constipation worse.
Back to Health A to Z. Constipation is common and it affects people of all ages. You can usually treat it at home 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.
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. It's important to be aware of any changes in their behaviour that might mean they are in pain or discomfort, although it's not always easy. Read more about dementia behaviour changes. Constipation in adults has many possible causes.
Sometimes there's no obvious reason. Constipation is also common during pregnancy and for 6 weeks after giving birth. Making simple changes to your diet and lifestyle can help treat constipation.
There are two broad types of fibre; soluble and insoluble. Soluble fibre helps to soften the faeces. Good sources of soluble fibre include legumes, fruits and vegetables. Insoluble fibre adds bulk to the faeces, helping it to move more quickly through the bowel. Good sources of insoluble fibre are in wheat bran, wholegrain breads and cereals. Insufficient water — the fibre in faeces will only plump up with water.
Constipation can occur from a high-fibre diet if insufficient water is consumed. Lack of regular exercise — living a sedentary lifestyle or being restricted in movement due to a disability are common causes of constipation. Regularly ignoring this urge may make the body less sensitive to normal signals to go to the toilet.
Some medications — such as narcotics particularly codeine , antidepressants, iron supplements, calcium-channel blockers antihypertensives, particularly verapamil and non-magnesium antacids are known to slow bowel movements. Pregnancy — the action of hormones, reduced activity and the pressure of the growing uterus against the intestines mean that constipation is common during pregnancy.
Advancing age — constipation is more common in the elderly. This is due to a number of factors, including reduced intestinal muscle contractions and reliance on regular medications. Illness — a period of illness, particularly an illness resulting in hospitalisation and bed-rest, typically results in constipation.
Factors include change in routine, shyness, reduced food intake, pain especially after abdominal surgery , and pain-relief medication such as morphine. Short-term treatment with laxatives is often required, but may be overlooked.
These individuals are more likely to become constipated with minor changes in their routine. Anal fissure — a tear in the lining of the anus anal mucosa. The person may resist going to the toilet for fear of pain. Obstruction — the rectum or anus may be partially obstructed by, for example, haemorrhoids piles or a rectal prolapse.
Rectocoele — the rectum pushes through the weakened rear wall of the vagina when the woman bears down or strains. Hernia — an abdominal hernia can reduce intra-abdominal pressure, which makes it more difficult to pass a motion. Abdominal or gynaecological surgery — a combination of change in routine, strange surroundings, post-operative pain and codeine-containing analgesics is a potent cause of constipation and often needs preventive care. Irritable bowel syndrome — characterised by abdominal pain, bloating, and either constipation or diarrhoea or alternating constipation and diarrhoea.
Problems of the endocrine system — such as hypothyroidism, diabetes or hypopituitarism. Tumour — pain while trying to pass a stool could be a symptom of rectal cancer. Haemorrhoids — constant straining to open the bowel can damage the blood vessels of the rectum. Rectal prolapse — the constant straining pushes a section of rectal lining out of the anus. Urinary incontinence — the constant straining weakens pelvic floor muscles. This makes the involuntary passing of urine more likely, especially when coughing, laughing or sneezing.
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