Constipation

Constipation is a common condition in which a person has either fewer than three bowel movements a week, or bowel movements with stools that are hard and painful to pass.

Symptoms of constipation may include hard, difficult to pass stools, greater than normal time between bowel movements, nausea, painful cramping, and bloating.
Constipation may be caused by a diet low in fiber, lack of exercise, or not drinking enough fluids. Some medications can cause constipation, as can certain underlying medical conditions.

Treatment depends on the cause, severity, and duration of the constipation, and may include changes in diet, lifestyle and exercise, and sometimes medication therapy. More serious causes of constipation may require surgery. Laxatives include fiber supplements, which are safe and are not habit-forming. Softeners such as docusate sodium are emollient laxatives and might take a week or longer to be effective. Osmotic laxatives draw fluids from surrounding tissues into the intestines, making stools easier to pass. Stimulant laxatives accelerate the movement of stool through the colon. They work quickly (within hours) and often cause diarrhea and cramping. Use of stimulant laxatives should be limited as overuse can lead to laxative dependence.

Common causes of constipation include:

• inadequate fiber intake
• inadequate liquid intake
• lack of physical exercise
• certain medications including:
• • pain medications, especially narcotics
  • antacids that contain aluminum and calcium
  • calcium channel blockers (especially verapamil)
  • medications used to treat Parkinson’s disease
  • antispasmodics—medications that prevent sudden muscle contractions
  • some antidepressants
  • calcium supplements
  • iron supplements
  • diuretics
  • anticonvulsants—medications that decrease abnormal electrical activity in the brain to prevent seizures
• over-the-counter laxative overuse
• life changes or daily routine changes (travel can aggrevate constipation)
• repeatedly ignoring the urge to have a bowel movement
• neurological and metabolic disorders such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, diabetes, and thyroid disorders
• GI tract problems
• pregnancy

See your doctor if constipation lasts more than a few weeks, does not improve with fiber and fluids, or comes with blood in the stool, severe pain, or unexplained weight loss.