What I need to know about
 

Constipation Constipation 

U.S. Department 

of Health and 

Human Services National Digestive Diseases 

NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH Information Clearinghouse

 

What I need to know about 

Constipation 

U.S. Department 


of Health and
 

Human Services
 National Digestive Diseases 

NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH Information Clearinghouse

Contents 

What is constipation?.............................................. 1
 

What causes constipation? ..................................... 2
 

What tests are done to find the causes 


of constipation? ....................................................... 4
 

What can I do about constipation?........................ 5
 

Points to Remember ............................................. 11
 

Hope through Research ....................................... 12
 

Pronunciation Guide............................................. 13
 

For More Information .......................................... 14
 

Acknowledgments ................................................. 15
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What is constipation? 

Constipation* means different things to different 

people. You may have constipation if you have 

three or fewer bowel movements in a week or if 

stool is hard, dry, painful, or difficult to pass. Some 

people with constipation lack energy and feel full 

or bloated. 

Some people think they have constipation if they 

don’t have a bowel movement every day. However, 

bowel habits are different for everyone. The foods 

you eat, how much you exercise, and other factors 

can affect your bowel habits. 

At one time or another, almost everyone gets 

constipated. In most cases, it lasts for only a short 

time and is not serious. When you understand 

what causes constipation, you can take steps to 

prevent it. 

*See page 13 for tips on how to say the words in 

bold type. 

1 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What causes constipation? 

To understand what causes constipation, it helps 

to know how the large intestine works. The large 

intestine removes most of the water from stool and 

changes it to a solid waste. The large intestine then 

moves the stool through the rectum and anus as a 

bowel movement. 

Constipation occurs when stool passes through the 

large intestine too slowly. When stool stays in the 

large intestine too long, the intestine removes too 

much water, and the stool becomes hard and dry. 

Some lifestyle habits that may cause constipation 

include 

●	 changing your normal diet, exercise, or travel 

habits 

●	 ignoring the urge to have a bowel movement 

●	 feeling a lot of stress 

●	 eating a low-fiber diet 

●	 not drinking enough liquids 

●	 taking calcium or iron supplements 

●	 taking medicines such as painkillers with 

codeine; diuretics, also known as water pills; 

medicine for depression; and some antacids 

2 
Some medical conditions that may cause 

constipation include 

●	 pregnancy or having given birth 

●	 problems with the muscles and nerves in the 

intestine, rectum, or anus 

●	 irritable bowel syndrome, a condition in which 

the nerves that control the muscles in the 

intestine don’t function correctly; the intestine 

becomes sensitive to food, stool, gas, and stress 

●	 diabetes, a condition in which a person has high 

blood sugar, also called hyperglycemia, because 

the body cannot use blood glucose, or blood 

sugar, for energy 

●	 hypothyroidism, a condition in which the thyroid 

gland does not produce enough hormone to 

meet the body’s needs and many of the body’s 

functions slow down 

3 
 

 

 

 

What tests are done to find the causes 

of constipation? 

To find out why you have constipation, your doctor 

will perform a complete physical examination. The 

doctor may also order one or more tests if a serious 

problem is suspected as the cause of constipation. 

● Sigmoidoscopy. The doctor puts a thin, flexible 

tube called a sigmoidoscope into the rectum. 

This scope can show the last third of your large 

intestine. 

● Colonoscopy. The doctor looks at the entire 

large intestine with a long, flexible tube with a 

camera that shows images on a TV screen. The 

tube is like a sigmoidoscope but longer. You 

receive medicine to help you sleep during a 

colonoscopy. 

● Colorectal transit study. For this test, you 

swallow small capsules that can be seen on an 

x ray as they move through the large intestine 

and anus. 

● Anorectal function test. The doctor inserts a 

small balloon into the anus to see if you are able 

to push it out. 

● Defecography test. The doctor inserts a soft 

paste into the rectum. The doctor asks you to 

push out the paste while an x-ray machine takes 

pictures of the rectum and anus. 

4 
 

 

 

 

 

What can I do about constipation? 

You can take several steps to prevent and relieve 

constipation. 

1. Eat more fiber. 

Fiber helps form soft, bulky stools and is found in 

many vegetables, fruits, and grains. Be sure to add 

fiber to your diet a little at a time so your body gets 

used to it. Limit foods that have little or no fiber 

such as pizza, ice cream, cheese, meat, snacks like 

chips, and processed foods such as instant mashed 

potatoes or frozen dinners. 

5 
 

 

High-fiber Foods
 

Fruits Vegetables Breads, Cereals, 

and Beans 

apples 

peaches 

raspberries 

tangerines 

oranges 

pears 

prunes 

acorn squash 

broccoli 

brussels 

sprouts 

cabbage 

carrots 

cauliflower 

spinach 

zucchini 

black-eyed peas 

kidney beans 

lima beans 

cold whole-grain 

cereal (All-Bran, 

Total, Bran 

Flakes) 

hot whole-grain 

cereal (oatmeal, 

Wheatena) 

wheat or 7-grain 

bread 

6 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your doctor may suggest you take fiber pills or 

powder to help soften and bulk up the stool. You 

can buy fiber products in a pharmacy or grocery 

store without a prescription. Some fiber products 

are flavored while others are not. Be sure and take 

the fiber with plenty of water as directed. 

Some people have gas and bloating at first when 

taking extra fiber. Let your doctor know if you are 

having problems that do not go away after a few days. 

2. Drink plenty of water and other liquids 

such as fruit and vegetable juices and clear 

soups. 

Liquids have little effect on stool form; however, 

drinking enough fluids is important because 

dehydration can cause constipation. Try not to 

drink liquids that contain caffeine or alcohol if you 

feel thirsty or dehydrated. 

7 
 

 

3. Get enough exercise. 

Regular exercise helps your digestive system stay 

active and healthy. Exercising 20 to 30 minutes 

every day may help. 

8 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. Visit the restroom when you feel the urge 

to have a bowel movement. Allow yourself 

enough time to relax. 

Sometimes people feel so hurried that they don’t 

pay attention to their body’s needs. Make sure 

you visit the restroom when you feel the urge to 

have a bowel movement. If you usually have a 

bowel movement at a certain time of day, visit 

the restroom around that time. Reading a book 

or magazine in the restroom can help you relax. 

If you cannot have a bowel movement within 

10 minutes, get up and return the next time you 

get the urge. 

5. Use laxatives only if a doctor says you 

should. 

Laxatives are medicines that help you pass stool. 

Most people who are mildly constipated do not 

need laxatives. However, if you are doing all the 

right things and you are still constipated, your 

doctor may recommend a laxative for a limited 

time. Your doctor will tell you what type is best 

for you. Laxatives come in many forms including 

liquid, chewing gum, and pills. 

9 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6. Check with your doctor about any 

medicines you take. 

Some medicines can cause constipation. Be sure 

to ask your doctor if any medicines you are taking 

could cause constipation. 

7. Follow any special treatments your doctor 

recommends. 

If you have problems with the muscles and nerves 

that control bowel movements, your doctor may 

suggest biofeedback. Biofeedback is a painless 

process that uses sensors in the rectal area to help 

you feel the stool and move it out of the rectum. 

Doing biofeedback with a trained therapist has 

been shown to help some people with constipation. 

10 
Points to Remember 

● Constipation may be present if you have three or

fewer bowel movements in a week or if the stool 

is hard, dry, painful, or difficult to pass. 

● Constipation affects almost everyone at one time

or another. 

●	 In most cases, following these simple steps will 

help prevent constipation: 

•	Eat a variety of foods, especially vegetables, 

fruits, and grains. 

•	Drink plenty of liquids. 

•	Exercise regularly. 

•	Visit the restroom when you feel the urge to 

have a bowel movement. 

●	 Fiber pills and powders may help relieve 

constipation. 

●	 Most people with mild constipation do not 

need laxatives. However, your doctor may 

recommend a laxative for a limited time if you 

have constipation that does not improve. 

●	 Some medicines can cause constipation. 

11 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hope through Research 

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive 

and Kidney Diseases’ (NIDDK) Division of 

Digestive Diseases and Nutrition supports research 

into digestive conditions, including constipation. 

Researchers are studying how the intestine, 

rectum, and anus function. They are also studying 

new medications and behavioral techniques, such 

as biofeedback, to treat constipation. 

Participants in clinical trials can play a more 

active role in their own health care, gain access to 

new research treatments before they are widely 

available, and help others by contributing to 

medical research. For information about current 

studies, visit www.ClinicalTrials.gov. 

12
 
Pronunciation Guide 

anorectal function test (AY-noh-REK-tuhl) 

(FUHNK-shuhn) (test) 

anus (AY-nuhss) 

biofeedback (BY-oh-FEED-bak) 

bowel (boul) 

colonoscopy (KOH-lon-OSS-kuh-pee) 

colorectal transit study (KOH-loh-REK-tuhl) 

(TRAN-zit) (STUHD-ee) 

constipation (KON-stih-PAY-shuhn) 

defecography test (DEF-uh-KOG-ruh-fee) (test) 

dehydration (DEE-hy-DRAY-shuhn) 

diabetes (DY-uh-BEE-teez) 

hypothyroidism (HY-poh-THY-royd-izm) 

hyperglycemia (HY-pur-gly-SEE-mee-uh) 

intestine (in-TESS-tin) 

rectum (REK-tuhm) 

sigmoidoscopy (SIG-moy-DOSS-kuh-pee) 

13 
 

 

 

 

National Office 

For More Information 

American Gastroenterological Association 

4930 Del Ray Avenue
 

Bethesda, MD 20814
 

Phone: 301–654–2055
 

Fax: 301–654–5920
 

Email: member@gastro.org
 

Internet: www.gastro.org 


International Foundation for Functional 

Gastrointestinal Disorders 

P.O. Box 170864 

Milwaukee, WI 53217 

Phone: 1–888–964–2001 or 414–964–1799 

Fax: 414–964–7176 

Email: iffgd@iffgd.org 

Internet: www.iffgd.org 

14
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

Acknowledgments 

Publications produced by the Clearinghouse are 

carefully reviewed by both NIDDK scientists and 

outside experts. The National Digestive Diseases 

Information Clearinghouse would like to thank 

Brooks D. Cash, M.D., F.A.C.P., F.A.C.G., National 

Naval Medical Center, for assisting with the 

scientific and editorial review of this publication. 

The U.S. Government does not endorse or favor any specific commercial
 

product or company. Trade, proprietary, or company names appearing in
 

this document are used only because they are considered necessary in the 


context of the information provided. If a product is not mentioned, the 


omission does not mean or imply that the product is unsatisfactory.
 

15 

National Digestive Diseases 

Information Clearinghouse 

2 Information Way 

Bethesda, MD 20892–3570 

Phone: 1–800–891–5389 

TTY: 1–866–569–1162 

Fax: 703–738–4929 

Email: nddic@info.niddk.nih.gov 

Internet: www.digestive.niddk.nih.gov 

The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse 

(NDDIC) is a service of the National Institute of Diabetes and 

Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). The NIDDK is part of 

the National Institutes of Health of the U.S. Department of Health 

and Human Services. Established in 1980, the Clearinghouse 

provides information about digestive diseases to people with 

digestive disorders and to their families, health care professionals, 

and the public. The NDDIC answers inquiries, develops and 

distributes publications, and works closely with professional and 

patient organizations and Government agencies to coordinate 

resources about digestive diseases. 

This publication is not copyrighted. The Clearinghouse 

encourages users of this booklet to duplicate and distribute as 

many copies as desired. 

This booklet is also available at www.digestive.niddk.nih.gov.

This publication may contain information about medications. 

When prepared, this publication included the most current 

information available. For updates or for questions about any 

medications, contact the U.S. Food and Drug Administration 

toll-free at 1–888–INFO–FDA (463–6332) or visit www.fda.gov. 

Consult your doctor for more information. 
–

U.S. DEpArTmENT OF HEALTH 

AND HUmAN SErvICES 

National Institutes of Health 

NIH Publication No. 09 4157 

December 2008