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Constipation
Bloating
No poop
Abdominal bloating
I can't defecate
Bloated belly
Unable to pass motion
Not seeing your symptoms? No worries!
What is Constipation?
Difficulty passing stool. Constipation can also refer to a decrease in stool quantity (e.g. passing stool every day but only small amounts). It can be caused by various factors, including dietary habits, mobility, illnesses, and medications.
Typical Symptoms of Constipation
- Abdominal bloating after meals
- Feeling unable to completely empty the bowels
- Abdominal bloating
- Stomach or abdominal pain
- Stomach or abdominal pain that improves with an enema
- Passing gas more than usual
- Blood in stool
- Stomach or abdominal pain triggered by bowel movements
Diagnostic Questions for Constipation
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this disease:
- Do you have abdominal bloating after meals?
- Do you feel unable to completely empty your bowels?
- Are you experiencing abdominal bloating?
- Do you have any stomach or abdominal pain?
- Does your stomach or abdominal pain improve with an enema?
Treatment of Constipation
Treatment depends on the cause and severity. Mild cases can be managed with lifestyle changes like increasing water intake, high-fiber foods, and physical activity. Laxatives and enemas can also be used. Constipation caused by a blockage or tumor may require surgery.
Reviewed By:
Scott Nass, MD, MPA, FAAFP, AAHIVS (Primary Care)
Dr. Nass received dual medical degrees from the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and Charles R. Drew University in Medicine and Science. He completed Family Medicine residency at Ventura County Medical Center with subsequent fellowships at Ventura, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, George Washington University, and University of California-Irvine. He holds faculty appointments at Keck School of Medicine of USC, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, and Western University of Health Sciences.
Aiko Yoshioka, MD (Gastroenterology)
Dr. Yoshioka graduated from the Niigata University School of Medicine. He worked as a gastroenterologist at Saiseikai Niigata Hospital and Niigata University Medical & Dental Hospital before serving as the Deputy Chief of Gastroenterology at Tsubame Rosai Hospital and Nagaoka Red Cross Hospital. Dr. Yoshioka joined Saitama Saiseikai Kawaguchi General Hospital as Chief of Gastroenterology in April 2018.
Content updated on Mar 31, 2024
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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People with similar symptoms also use Ubie's symptom checker to find possible causes
- Incomplete bowel movements
- Stomachache
- Straining to poop
- Stomach bloating after eating
- Frequent bowel movements
- I have lower abdominal pain
- Feeling of fullness in rectal area
- Pressure in abdominal area due to bloating
- Feeling of fullness in stomach without eating
- I have left lower abdominal pain
- Hard to pass stool
- Obstructed bowel
- Rapid increase in abdominal circumference
- Pain in the lower right stomach
- Feels like blockage in rectal area
See full list
Symptoms Related to Constipation
Diseases Related to Constipation
FAQs
Q.
Colace: 5 important things doctors want you to know
A.
Colace, or docusate sodium, is an over-the-counter stool softener that draws water into stool to make bowel movements easier without cramping; doctors recommend it for short-term constipation or to prevent straining, typically 50 to 400 mg daily (often 100 mg twice daily) with a full glass of water for no more than 7 days. There are several safety factors and red flags to consider, including diarrhea or cramps at higher doses, dehydration risk in older adults, special guidance in liver disease, avoiding mineral oil near dosing, and seeking care for severe pain, vomiting, blood or black stools, fever, weight loss, or symptoms lasting more than a week; see the complete guidance below for when Colace may not be enough and what to try next.
References:
Shamliyan TA, Wyman JF, Bliss DZ, & Kane RL. (2015). Treatment of constipation in older adults: a systematic review of pharmaceutical and nonpharmaceutical interventions. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 25623390.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25623390/
European Association for the Study of the Liver. (2018). EASL Clinical Practice Guidelines for the management of patients with decompensated cirrhosis. Journal of Hepatology, 28934759.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28934759/
Cassinotto C, Lapuyade B, Mouries A, et al. (2015). Liver stiffness measurement for non‐invasive assessment of advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis in alcoholic patients. Hepatology, 24732915.
Q.
Why take colace at night
A.
Take Colace at night to sync its 12 to 72 hour stool softening effect with a morning bowel movement, build a consistent routine, and limit daytime cramps or interactions with other medications. There are several factors to consider; see below for important details on hydration timing, liver disease considerations, combining with fiber or laxatives, practical dosing tips, and when to seek medical care so you can choose the right next steps.
References:
Vijayvargiya P, Camilleri M, Shin A, & Saad RJ. (2015). Systematic review: efficacy of licensed therapies for chronic idiopathic… Neurogastroenterol Motil, 25849562.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25849562/
Kamath PS, & Wiesner RH. (2001). A model to predict survival in patients with end-stage liver disease. Hepatology, 11157951.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11157951/
Tsochatzis EA, Bosch J, & Burroughs AK. (2014). Liver cirrhosis. Lancet, 24279923.
Q.
Constipation During Chemotherapy: Causes and what you can do
A.
Constipation is common during chemotherapy and often stems from opioid pain medicines, anti-nausea drugs, dehydration, low fiber intake, reduced activity, electrolyte imbalances, nerve changes, or bowel narrowing from tumors or prior surgery. There are several factors to consider; see below to understand more. Relief usually comes from fluids, gradual fiber, gentle movement, a regular toilet routine and positioning, plus OTC laxatives like polyethylene glycol or senna, with prescription options such as lubiprostone or PAMORAs for opioid-related cases; seek urgent care for severe pain, vomiting, bleeding, or no bowel movement for 5 to 7 days, and see complete steps below.
References:
Larkin PJ, & Cherny NI. (2013). Management of constipation in palliative care: EAPC positio… J Pain Symptom Manage, 23537633.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23537633/
Chey WD, Webster L, & Sostek M. (2014). Lubiprostone for opioid-induced constipation in patie… Am J Gastroenterology, 24935227.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24935227/
European Association for the Study of the Liver. (2018). EASL clinical practice guidelines for th… Journal of Hepatology, 29562927.
Q.
Is it safe to use laxatives every day?
A.
Using laxatives every day can be safe in certain situations, but it's important to choose the right type and follow medical advice. See below to understand more.
References:
de Azevedo RP, Freitas FG, Ferreira EM, Pontes de Azevedo LC, & Machado FR. (2015). Daily laxative therapy reduces organ dysfunction in .... Critical care (London, England), 26373705.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26373705/
Tack J, van Outryve M, Beyens G, Kerstens R, & Vandeplassche L. (2009). Prucalopride (Resolor) in the treatment of severe chronic .... Gut, 18987031.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18987031/
Tuteja AK, & Rao SS. (2008). Lubiprostone for constipation and irritable bowel syndrome .... Expert review of gastroenterology & hepatology, 19090733.
Q.
When should I start worrying about constipation?
A.
If you haven't had a bowel movement for more than 5-7 days and also have pain, nausea or even vomiting, please seek further medical attention.
References:
Dorfman L, El-Chammas K, Mansi S, Kaul A. Gastrocolonic Response. Curr Gastroenterol Rep. 2022 Nov;24(11):137-144. doi: 10.1007/s11894-022-00849-2. Epub 2022 Nov 3. PMID: 36324042.
Burr RL, Jarrett ME, Cain KC, Jun SE, Heitkemper MM. Catecholamine and cortisol levels during sleep in women with irritable bowel syndrome. Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2009 Nov;21(11):1148-e97. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2982.2009.01351.x. Epub 2009 Jul 1. PMID: 19573081; PMCID: PMC2820403.
Burr RL, Jarrett ME, Cain KC, Jun SE, Heitkemper MM. Catecholamine and cortisol levels during sleep in women with irritable bowel syndrome. Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2009 Nov;21(11):1148-e97. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2982.2009.01351.x. Epub 2009 Jul 1. PMID: 19573081; PMCID: PMC2820403.
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Link to full study:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312810v1References
Lu PL, Mousa HM. Constipation: Beyond the Old Paradigms. Gastroenterol Clin North Am. 2018 Dec;47(4):845-862. doi: 10.1016/j.gtc.2018.07.009. Epub 2018 Sep 28. PMID: 30337036.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0889855318300657?via%3DihubBlack CJ, Ford AC. Chronic idiopathic constipation in adults: epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis and clinical management. Med J Aust. 2018 Jul 16;209(2):86-91. doi: 10.5694/mja18.00241. PMID: 29996755.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.5694/mja18.00241Bharucha AE. Constipation. Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol. 2007;21(4):709-31. doi: 10.1016/j.bpg.2007.07.001. PMID: 17643910.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1521691807000790?via%3DihubGallegos-Orozco JF, Foxx-Orenstein AE, Sterler SM, Stoa JM. Chronic constipation in the elderly. Am J Gastroenterol. 2012 Jan;107(1):18-25; quiz 26. doi: 10.1038/ajg.2011.349. Epub 2011 Oct 11. PMID: 21989145.
https://journals.lww.com/ajg/Abstract/2012/01000/Chronic_Constipation_in_the_Elderly.7.aspxvan Mill MJ, Koppen IJN, Benninga MA. Controversies in the Management of Functional Constipation in Children. Curr Gastroenterol Rep. 2019 Apr 25;21(6):23. doi: 10.1007/s11894-019-0690-9. PMID: 31025225.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11894-019-0690-9