When is constipation dangerous

If you're caring for someone with dementia, constipation may be easily missed. It's important to be aware of any changes in their behaviour that might mean they are in pain or discomfort, although it's not always easy.

Read more about dementia behaviour changes. Constipation in adults has many possible causes. Sometimes there's no obvious reason. Constipation is also common during pregnancy and for 6 weeks after giving birth. Making simple changes to your diet and lifestyle can help treat constipation.

You may notice a difference within a few days. Sometimes it takes a few weeks before your symptoms improve. Medically reviewed by Gerhard Whitworth, R. Constipation and intense, chronic abdominal pain. Constipation and vomiting.

Constipation and stomach bloating. Constipation and blood in your stool. Read this next. Medically reviewed by Alana Biggers, M. Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph. What Makes for a Typical Bowel Movement? A: Constipation happens when your bowel movements occur less often or cause more strain than usual.

Zutshi says there are three kinds of constipation :. Normal transit and slow transit constipation are both considered motility disturbances. And to understand motility, look no further than the morning commute. Motility is how well the roads — or in this case, the muscles in your gastrointestinal GI tract — are moving. And just like there are many causes for snarled roadways, there are different reasons your inner streets are backing up, such as a lack of:.

Men are different from women. Treatment for chronic constipation depends in part on the underlying cause. However, in some cases, a cause is never found. Constipation may be considered chronic if you've experienced two or more of these symptoms for the last three months.

Make an appointment with your doctor if you experience unexplained and persistent changes in your bowel habits. There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Subscribe for free and receive your in-depth guide to digestive health, plus the latest on health innovations and news. You can unsubscribe at any time. Error Email field is required. Error Include a valid email address. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you.

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Constipation most commonly occurs when waste or stool moves too slowly through the digestive tract or cannot be eliminated effectively from the rectum, which may cause the stool to become hard and dry. Chronic constipation has many possible causes. Neurological problems can affect the nerves that cause muscles in the colon and rectum to contract and move stool through the intestines.