Question: What are the symptoms of constipation?
Answer: Symptoms of constipation may include

fewer than threebowel movementsa week
stoolsthat are hard, dry, or lumpy
stools that are difficult or painful to pass
a feeling that not all stool has passed
Question: When should I see a doctor?
Answer: You should see a doctor if your symptoms do not go away with self-care or you have a family history of colon or rectal cancer.

You should see a doctor right away if you have constipation and any of the following symptoms

bleeding from yourrectum
blood in your stool
constant pain in yourabdomen
inability to passgas
vomiting
fever
lower back pain
losing weight without trying
Question: What causes constipation?
Answer: You may be constipated for many reasons, and constipation may have more than one cause at a time. Causes of constipation may include

slow movement of stool through yourcolon
delayed emptying of the colon frompelvic floor disorders, especially in women, and colon surgery
functional gastrointestinal disorders, such asirritable bowel syndrome

Certain medicines and dietary supplements

Medicines and dietary supplements that can make constipation worse include

antacidsthat contain aluminum andcalcium
anticholinergicsandantispasmodics
anticonvulsants—used to preventseizures
calcium channel blockers
diuretics
iron supplements
medicines used to treatParkinson’s disease
narcotic pain medicines
some medicines used to treatdepression

Life changes or daily routine changes

Constipation can happen when your life or daily routine changes. For example, your bowel movements can change

if you become pregnant
as you get older
when you travel
when you ignore the urge to have a bowel movement
if you change your medicines
if you change how much and what you eat

Certain health and nutrition problems

Certain health and nutrition problems can cause constipation

not eating enough fiber
not drinking enough liquids, ordehydration
not getting enoughphysical activity
celiac disease
disorders that affect your brain and spine, such as Parkinson’s disease
spinal cord or brain injuries
conditions that affect yourmetabolism, such asdiabetes
conditions that affect yourhormones, such ashypothyroidism
inflammationlinked todiverticular diseaseorproctitis
intestinal obstructions, includinganorectalblockage and tumors
anatomic problems of your digestive tract