It is defined as having fewer bowel movements than usual, with a long or hard passing of stools.
Older people are more likely than younger people to have constipation.
But experts agree that older people often worry too much about having a bowel movement every day. If the answers are yes, you probably do have a problem. Otherwise, you probably do not. Doctors do not always know what causes this problem. Eating a poor diet, drinking too little, or misusing laxatives can be causes.