What should you know about stomach constipation?

The feeling may be described as stomach constipation, although the problem usually involves stool moving slowly through the bowel. A short episode can follow changes in food, fluid intake, activity, travel, routine, or medicines.

When stool stays in the colon longer, more water can be absorbed from it. This can make stool drier and harder to pass. Straining, a sense that the bowel has not fully emptied, and pressure or cramping may follow.

Constipation can occur with dehydration or with conditions that affect bowel habits, including irritable bowel syndrome and hypothyroidism. A clinician considers the pattern, associated symptoms, medicines, and any recent change before deciding what may be contributing.

Drink fluids regularly unless you have been given a reason to limit them. Add fibre-containing foods gradually, such as vegetables, fruit, pulses, and whole grains; a sudden large increase can worsen gas or bloating for some people.

Respond to the urge to open your bowels, allow unhurried toilet time, and keep physically active within your usual ability. A pharmacist or clinician can help you choose whether a short-term laxative is suitable and check whether a medicine you take could be contributing.

Seek urgent medical care for severe or worsening abdominal pain, a swollen abdomen with vomiting, inability to pass stool or gas, fainting, or blood in the stool. These symptoms need prompt assessment rather than home treatment alone.

Arrange a medical review when constipation is new and persistent, keeps returning, follows an unexplained change in bowel habit, or comes with unintentional weight loss, fatigue, fever, or pain that wakes you from sleep.

Ask whether your symptoms and medicines suggest a particular cause, whether an examination or tests are needed, and which bowel routine is appropriate for you. Mention how long the change has lasted, stool appearance, abdominal symptoms, fluid intake, diet changes, and any laxatives or supplements already tried.