Jump to content

  • Set Your Location
  • Sign in or Enroll
Set Your LocationSet Your Location
  • Sign in or Enroll
    • Open I want to choose my medical group or hospital
    • Clear my location
Change Location
Sutter Health
  • Video Visits
  • Find Doctors
  • Find Locations
  • Treatments & Services
    • Video Visits
    • Find Doctors
    • Find Locations
    • Treatments & Services
    • COVID-19 Resources
    • Pay a Bill
    • Symptom Checker
    • Get Care Today
    • Health & Wellness
    • Classes & Events
    • Research & Clinical Trials
    • For Patients
    • About Sutter Health
    • Giving
    • Volunteering
    • Careers
    • News
    • For Medical Professionals
    • Other Business Services
Close Search
  • Home
  • Health and Wellness
  • Digestive Health
  • Why You Shouldn't Ignore Constipation
Content

Why You Shouldn't Ignore Constipation

Regular, smooth bowel movements signal a healthy colon. Recognize constipation signs and take action.

Katerina P. Shetler, M.D.

Contributor

Katerina P. Shetler, M.D.

Palo Alto Medical Foundation

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.

Close up of woodlen spoon filled with wheat bran

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.

Healthy Bowel Movements

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: 

  • Decreased frequency of bowel movements—fewer than three in a week.
  • Difficulty passing a bowel movement, with straining and a sense of incomplete evacuation of the colon.
  • Very firm, dry bowel movements, no matter how frequently you have them. 

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.”

How Elimination Works

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.

Constipation Concerns

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.

How to Ease Constipation

If no serious medical condition exists, you can usually resolve constipation with these simple, healthy habits: 

  • Eat enough fiber — Ideally, get your fiber from food, such as whole fruits, vegetables and whole grains. However, you might need to take a fiber supplement.
  • Drink lots of water — Figure out if you are dehydrated or getting enough fluids each day.
  • Stay active — Moving your body stimulates the colon and helps your digestive system function well. Take a 20- to 30-minute walk every day to loosen things up.
  • Pay attention to your body’s signals — If you have the urge to have a bowel movement, follow through on that urge; waiting only makes your constipation worse. After a meal or after a walk is a good time to visit the bathroom because both stimulate the colon. 

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.

Related Articles

  • Fasting: What You Need to Know
  • What Causes Blood in Your Stool
  • A Look Inside Women’s Digestion
  • GERD Medication Safety
  • Home Treatments for Hemorrhoids
  • Preventing a Bloated Belly
The Sutter Health Network of Care
Expertise to fit your needs
Primary Care

Check-ups, screenings and sick visits for adults and children.

Specialty Care

Expertise and advanced technologies in all areas of medicine.

Emergency Care

For serious accidents, injuries and conditions that require immediate medical care.

Urgent Care

After-hours, weekend and holiday services.

Walk-In Care

Convenient walk-in care clinics for your non-urgent health needs.

  • Contact Us
  • Find Doctors
  • Find Locations
  • Request Medical Records
  • Make a Gift
Sign in to My Health Online

Billing and Insurance

  • Pay a Bill
  • Accepted Health Plans
  • Estimate Costs
  • Medicare Advantage

About Sutter

  • About Our Network
  • Community Benefit
  • Annual Report
  • News

Our Team

  • For Employees
  • For Medical Professionals
  • For Vendors
  • For Volunteers

Careers

  • Jobs at Sutter
  • Physician Jobs
  • Graduate Medical Education

Copyright © 2023 Sutter Health. All rights reserved. Sutter Health is a registered trademark of Sutter Health ®, Reg. U.S. Patent & Trademark office.

  • ADA Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
  • LinkedIn Opens new window
  • YouTube Opens new window
  • Facebook Opens new window
  • Twitter Opens new window
  • Instagram Opens new window
  • Glassdoor Opens new window

Cookie Policy

We use cookies to give you the best possible user experience. By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences

Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences