⏳ Constipation
📝 Last reviewed: August 2026
| In brief | A very common gut problem where bowel movements are infrequent and stools are hard, dry and painful to pass. |
|---|---|
| Category | Digestive |
🔍 What causes it
Stools move too slowly through the colon, and the gut soaks out extra water, leaving them hard and dry. Low-fibre diets, too little fluid, inactivity and ignoring the urge to go are common causes. Certain medicines, pregnancy, ageing, stress and travel can trigger it, and sometimes it signals another condition such as an underactive thyroid or irritable bowel syndrome.
⚠️ Key symptoms
- Fewer than three bowel movements in a week
- Straining hard to pass stool that is lumpy or dry
- A feeling that the bowel has not emptied completely
- Bloating, cramps and a heavy or full feeling in the belly
- Needing to press on the tummy to help stool come out
💊 Treatment
Lifestyle comes first: more fibre from fruit, vegetables and wholegrains, plenty of water, and daily movement such as walking or swimming. A relaxed toilet routine — responding to the urge, sitting comfortably, not rushing — makes passing stool easier. Doctors may suggest laxatives for short periods or to retrain a sluggish bowel, but they work best alongside diet changes, not instead of them. See a doctor if constipation is chronic, painful, or comes with worrying symptoms.
🛡️ Prevention
Eat fibre-rich food every day, drink plenty of fluids and keep moving — regular activity keeps the gut working. Answer the urge to pass stool promptly and allow unhurried toilet time. Increase fibre slowly so the gut can adjust without bloating.
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