What Is Constipation? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention

As upsetting and uncomfortable as constipation can be, there are a number of lifestyle changes, including diet, exercise habits, and even switching up certain supplements that can prevent constipation from happening in the first place.

Medication Options

If lifestyle changes aren’t helping, your doctor may suggest a fiber supplement, stool softeners, or other medication — either over-the-counter or prescription — to loosen things up again. Laxatives are one option, but since taking these regularly can make it difficult to have a bowel movement on your own, it’s best to use them with your doctor’s guidance.

Other nonprescription options include: (2)

But note: You should only use stimulants if your constipation is severe or other treatments have not worked.

There are also prescription medications that help treat constipation. Your doctor may choose to prescribe one of the following: (2)

• lubiprostone (Amitiza), which is prescribed to increase fluid in your digestive tract and increase frequency of bowel movements
• Medicines that encourage regular bowel movements, such as linaclotide (Linzess) and plecanatide (these are often used to help people with chronic constipation resulting from irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS)
• Prucalopride (this drug gives your colon an assist if you have chronic constipation with no definitive cause)

Alternative and Complementary Therapies

While there are few high-quality studies showing that alternative therapies can effectively treat constipation, a 2015 review of studies found that acupuncture and herbal treatments like psyllium can make a difference. (7)

RELATED: What Is Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

Prevention of Constipation

You’ve likely heard it before, but exercising regularly (moving your body keeps everything moving), increasing the amount of dietary fiber you consume (choose high-fiber foods as part of your regular rotation), and drinking plenty of water may help prevent constipation. (2) Bonus: A 2019 review of studies found that people who ate the most fiber experienced a 15 to 30 percent decrease in mortality from a number of causes compared with those who ate the least fiber. (8) The U.S. government’s dietary recommendations suggest 28 grams of fiber a day for women ages 19 to 30; 25.2 grams for women ages 31 to 50; and 22.4 grams for women older than 51. Men ages 19 to 30 should get 33.6 grams of dietary fiber per day; ages 31 to 50 should get 30.8; men over 51 should aim for 28 grams. (9)

Pay attention to your body signals; if you need to go, go without delay. And don’t rush yourself or strain to make it happen. Put a bit of zen into your bathroom routine and relax.