Digestive Health Constipation Constipation Guide Constipation Guide Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment Nutrition Causes and Risk Factors of Constipation By Barbara Bolen, PhD twitter Barbara Bolen, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist and health coach. She has written multiple books focused on living with irritable bowel syndrome. Learn about our editorial process Barbara Bolen, PhD Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Jay N. Yepuri, MD, MS on January 28, 2020 facebook twitter linkedin Jay Yepuri, MD, MS, is a board-certified gastroenterologist and a practicing partner at Digestive Health Associates of Texas (DHAT). Learn about our Medical Review Board Jay N. Yepuri, MD, MS on January 28, 2020 Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Lifestyle Medications Health Conditions Genetics Next in Constipation Guide How Doctors Diagnose Constipation There are several possible causes of constipation. Luckily, the most likely ones—including diet, exercise, and medication use—are usually easily addressed, and doing so typically gets the bowels moving again and eases related symptoms. There are times, however, when a health condition that requires management is what causes constipation, so it should not be ignored if it occurs often. While it can happen at any age, constipation is more frequent in pregnant and postpartum women, and people who have lower income levels. People who have mental health conditions such as depression or an eating disorder have a higher risk of constipation. There could be one or more causes of your constipation. Explore some of the possibilities and discuss any concerns with your doctor. BSIP/UIG Universal Images Group/Getty Images Lifestyle You may not immediately connect your lifestyle with your bathroom troubles, but it is often a contributing factor, if not the cause of constipation itself. Lifestyle concerns that can affect your bowel habits include: What you eatInadequate water intake throughout the dayHolding back bowel movements; ignoring urges to use the bathroomInsufficient exercise; being sedentary most of the dayTravelChanges in your routineInadequate stress management Diet Eating too much dairy, high-fat meats, eggs, and sugar-containing sweets can lead to constipation, as can a diet low in fiber. You may not realize how low your diet is this essential nutrient. If you mostly eat processed foods, dairy, and meat, you may be lacking fiber. High-fiber foods are a recommended part of a healthy diet. If you aren't eating a good quantity of vegetables, fruits, beans, and whole-grain products, look for ways to include them. If you take dietary supplements, realize that some carry the risk of constipation. High doses of iron supplements (45 milligrams or more per day) can cause nausea and constipation as well. Get Moving If you have a sedentary job or habits, make it a point to get up and move around each hour. Exercise as simple as a brisk 15-minute walk can help your digestive tract do its job better. Lifestyle and Diet in Constipation Medications Many medications used to treat other health conditions may cause constipation as a side effect, including: Antacids containing calcium or aluminumAnticholinergic medications (antispasmodics)AntidepressantsAntihistamines (allergy medications)Calcium channel blockers (for high blood pressure)DiureticsNarcotic pain medicationsSome seizure medicationsSome blood pressure medicationsIron supplementsSome herbal supplements You may also develop constipation by taking too many laxatives or enemas in an attempt to treat constipation. Using these remedies repeatedly can result in dependence on them to the point that you no longer have normal bowel movements. Health Conditions There are many health conditions in which constipation may be a symptom, including: PregnancyDiabetesIrritable bowel syndrome (IBS)Thyroid diseaseElectrolyte deficienciesChronic idiopathic constipation Structural Conditions The following conditions involve a structural problem within the digestive system that can contribute to the symptom of constipation. Anal fissureBowel obstructionBowel strictureRectocele (a bulge from the rectum into the vagina) Pelvic Floor Dysfunction Dyssynergic defecation is a form of pelvic floor dysfunction in which the muscles of the pelvic floor do not work as they should. A primary symptom of dyssynergic defecation is constipation. Neurological Causes The following conditions affect the functioning of the muscles in the colon and rectum, which must contract to move stool. If the nerves that trigger these muscles are affected, it can result in constipation: DysautonomiaMultiple sclerosisParkinson's diseaseSpinal cord injuryStroke Cancer Any cancer that affects the functioning of the colon can cause constipation as well. It is important to note that colon cancer also typically presents itself with symptoms of weight loss, fatigue, and signs of blood in the stool: Colon cancerRectal cancer Genetics Because constipation often runs in families, there may be some genetic predisposition to this condition, as well as environmental factors such as shared habits and similar diets. Children with chronic constipation often have family members who are constipated. There is a rare genetic condition, Hirschsprung disease, in which the nerves required to move stool through the intestinal tract are absent. This can occur due to a chromosomal disorder or due to specific genetic combinations. In this disease, the symptoms are seen in the first 2 months of life. Lifestyle and Diet in Constipation A Word From Verywell If you are experiencing constipation on a regular basis, you need to make an appointment with your physician to accurately pinpoint what is going on, as well as to establish a treatment plan. Your doctor will work with you on developing a management plan that is right for you. How Constipation Is Diagnosed Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Gas pain? Stool issues? Sign up for the best tips to take care of your stomach. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. National Insitute on Aging. Concerned about constipation? Updated December 1, 2013. National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. Iron. Updated October 16, 2019. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Symptoms & causes of constipation. Updated May 2018. Dimitriou N, Shah V, Stark D, Mathew R, Miller AS, Yeung JM. Defecating disorders: a common cause of constipation in women. Womens Health (Lond). 2015;11(4):485-500. doi:10.2217/WHE.15.25 Rao SS, Patcharatrakul T. Diagnosis and Treatment of Dyssynergic Defecation. J Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2016;22(3):423–435. doi:10.5056/jnm16060 Winge K, Rasmussen D, Werdelin LM. Constipation in neurological diseases. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2003;74(1):13-9. doi:10.1136/jnnp.74.1.13 American Cancer Society. Signs and Symptoms of Colorectal Cancer. Updated February 25, 2019. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Hirschsprung Disease. Updated September 2015. Additional Reading Lee, Y. What’s New in the Toolbox for Constipation and Fecal Incontinence? Frontiers in Medicine 2014 1:5. Minocha, A. & Adamec, C. (2011) The Encyclopedia of the Digestive System and Digestive Disorders (2nd Ed.) New York: Facts on File. Peeters B, Benninga MA, Hennekam RC. Childhood Constipation; an Overview of Genetic Studies and Associated Syndromes. Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol. 2011;25(1):73-88. doi:10.1016/j.bpg.2010.12.005