Constipation - Symptoms and Causes

Constipation is one of the most common digestive complaints.



Constipation refers to a condition wherein the bowels do not move regularly, or are not completely emptied when they move. This condition is characterized by difficulty in eliminating hard feces. It may be extremely painful, and in severe cases (fecal impaction) lead to symptoms of bowel obstruction.



Constipation is the chief cause of many diseases because such a condition produces toxins, which find their way into the blood stream and are carried to all parts of the body. This results in weakening of the vital organs and lowering of the resistance of the entire system. Appendicitis, rheumatism, arthritis, high blood pressure, cataract and cancer are only a few of the diseases in which chronic constipation is an important predisposing factor.




The number of motions required for normal health varies from person to person. Most people have one motion a day; some have two a day, while others have one every other day. However, for comfort and health, at least one clear bowel movement a day is essential and considered normal. Constipation is most common in children and older people, and affects women more than men. One in 200 women have severe, continuous constipation and it is most common before a period and in pregnancy.

Symptoms of Constipation:

One needs to worry about constipation if experiencing any of the following two main types of circumstances:

a) If you experience a variation in your routine that means that you go to the toilet less often, this is constipation.

b) If you are going to the toilet as often as usual but you are having difficulty passing stools because they are hard and small, this is also constipation.

The most common symptoms of constipation are infrequency, irregularity or difficulty of elimination due to hard faecal matter.

The other symptoms include:

• stomach ache and cramps,
• feeling bloated,
• feeling sick,
• change from usual pattern of bowel movements,
• not feeling empty, or a sense of fullness around the abdomen
• headache,
• dizziness
• dark circles under the eyes,
• depression,
• nausea,
• pimples on the face,
• mouth ulcer
• coated tongue,
• foul breath,
• loss of appetite,
• varicose veins,
• pain in the lumbar region
• acidity,
• heart burn
• insomnia
• fatigue, and
• depression.

Constipation may alternate with diarrhoea; this may be an indication of another condition known as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Watery stools may be able to pass around a blockage of hard stools and be mistaken for diarrhoea. Constipation in children is fairly common and usually clears up within a few days.

Symptoms of constipation in children:

• Being irritable,
• Loss of appetite,
• Soiling their clothes,
• Feeling sick, and
• Stomach pains.

Causes of Constipation:

The most important causes for chronic constipation are an unsuitable diet and a faulty style of living.



All foods in their natural state contain a good percentage of ‘roughage’, which is most essential in preserving natural balance of foods and also in helping peristalsis - the natural rhythmic action by means of which the food is passed down the alimentary canal. Much of the food we eat today is deficient in natural bulk or roughage and this results in chronic constipation.

Intake of refined and rich food lacking in vitamins and minerals, insufficient intake of water, consumption of meat in large quantities, excessive use of strong tea and coffee, insufficient chewing, overeating and a wrong combination of food, irregular habits of eating and drinking may all contribute to poor bowel function.

Other causes include faulty and irregular habit of defecation, frequent use of purgatives, weakness of abdominal muscles due to sedentary habits, lack of physical activity and emotional stress and strain.

Diseases such as tumors or growths, sluggish liver, colitis, spastic condition of the intestines, hyperactivity, diseases of the rectum and colon, bad teeth, uterine disease, diabetes, use of certain drugs for treating other ailments, abnormal condition of the lower spine and enlargement of the prostate gland can also cause chronic constipation. Elderly patients may suffer from constipation due to relaxed muscle tone, inadequate dietary intake for nutritional needs and diminished activity.Causes leading to constipation include dietary habits, hormonal imbalance, side effect of medications. Suggested treatments for constipation include change in dietary habits, laxatives, fiber therapy, enemas, and as a last resort surgery, if required.