At some point in your life—perhaps often—you’ve likely felt constipated. It’s a common complaint; in fact, more than 63 million people suffer from chronic constipation, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Given embarrassment about restroom habits, people rarely discuss constipation as a medical issue. But regular bowel movements are critical to keeping your digestive tract healthy.
Katerina Shetler, M.D., a gastroenterologist with the Palo Alto Medical Foundation, says people tend to blame constipation when they have any difficulty with bowel movements. But the true definition of constipation includes these symptoms:
Dr. Shetler says it’s a myth that you need to have a bowel movement every day. Instead, it’s all about the consistency of your stool and the sensations your colon experiences.
“If your bowel movements are soft, effortless to pass and leave you feeling that everything has been eliminated, it doesn’t matter how often they happen,” Dr. Shetler says. “Even a daily bowel movement can be a problem if the stools are very hard, small and difficult to pass.”
Smooth elimination requires a coordinated effort of several body parts. The colon, also known as the large intestine, helps transport food waste out of the body by absorbing enough fluid to soften it and moving solid waste through the abdomen to the rectal and anal canal, a process called colon motility.
The rectal and anal canal, your intestines’ tail end, is designed to move the stool out when needed, but not a moment too soon. The rectosigmoid area recognizes that stool is present and gives you the urge to go to the bathroom. You cooperate by using coordinated efforts of pelvic floor muscles to eliminate waste—hopefully without significant straining or difficulty.
Certain medications cause constipation, such as antidepressants, pain relievers, antacids and cholesterol medications. So as long as you’re taking them you’ll need additional treatment to ensure healthy movements, Dr. Shetler says.
Sometimes, constipation indicates a serious medical condition, especially if your symptoms are sudden and new. Consult a doctor if you’re concerned or if you experience rectal bleeding, abdominal pain or unexplained weight loss.
Your physician might uncover constipation causes such as metabolism disorders, bowel obstructions, cancer, problems with nearby pelvic organs (such as pelvic prolapse), or medication side effects. Your primary care doctor may also refer you to a gastroenterologist, who specializes in digestive health.
If no serious medical condition exists, you can usually resolve constipation with these simple, healthy habits:
If these measures don’t improve your bowel patterns, you might need to try mild laxatives, Dr. Shetler says. “The first step is stool softeners, which are designed to allow the stool to absorb more water, making it easier to pass. Try these for three to four weeks, on a daily basis, to see if your constipation improves,” she says.