According to the American College of Gastroenterology, you may have chronic constipation if you've experienced some combination of the following symptoms for 3 months or more in the last year:
Fewer than 3 bowel movements a week
Difficulty passing stools
Straining
Hard or lumpy stools
Abdominal discomfort and bloating
Feeling like your bowel is never completely empty
Feeling like there is something blocking your bowel
Manual maneuvering to stimulate the bowel
Some causes of constipation include:
Antacid medicines containing calcium or aluminum
Changes in your usual diet or activities
Colon cancer
Eating a lot of dairy products.
Eating disorders
Irritable bowel syndrome
Neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease or multiple sclerosis
Not being active
Not enough water or fiber in your diet
Overuse of laxatives (Over time, this weakens the bowel muscles)
Pregnancy
Problems with the nerves and muscles in the digestive system
Resisting the urge to have a bowel movement, which some people do because of hemorrhoids
Some medications (especially strong pain drugs such as narcotics, antidepressants, or iron pills)
Stress
Under active thyroid (hypothyroidism)
Find out more about constipation, how do Doctors diagnose it, what should you do, and how can it be prevented all at WebMD.
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