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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Constipation
Bloating
No poop
Abdominal bloating
I can't defecate
Bloated belly
Unable to pass motion
Not seeing your symptoms? No worries!
With a free 3-min Constipation quiz, powered by Ubie's AI and doctors, find possible causes of your symptoms.
This questionnaire is customized to your situation and symptoms, including the following personal information:
Biological Sex - helps us provide relevant suggestions for male vs. female conditions.
Age - adjusts our guidance based on any age-related health factors.
History - considers past illnesses, surgeries, family history, and lifestyle choices.
Your symptoms
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Your report
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✔ When to see a doctor
✔︎ What causes your symptoms
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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.
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this disease:
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.
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.
Heaton KW, Radvan J, Cripps H, Mountford RA, Braddon FE, Hughes AO. Defecation frequency and timing, and stool form in the general population: a prospective study. Gut. 1992 Jun;33(6):818-24. doi: 10.1136/gut.33.6.818. PMID: 1624166; PMCID: PMC1379343.
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/s11894-019-0690-9Male, 30s
I got more answers in one minute through your site than I did in three hours with Google.
(Sep 29, 2024)
Male, 20s
My experience was great. I was worried, but the symptom checker helped me narrow down what it might be. I feel a little relieved compared to when I first started, and it gives me a starting point for what my symptoms could mean.
(Sep 27, 2024)
Male, 50s
The questions asked and possible causes seemed spot on, putting me at ease for a next-step solution.
(Sep 26, 2024)
Female, 40s
I was actually very impressed with the results it provided because, although I didn’t mention it during the questionnaire because I thought it was unrelated, it suggested I may have something I’ve actually been diagnosed with in the past.
(Sep 25, 2024)
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.
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https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312810v1