Your questions answered: Constipation

Constipation is a common disease. If you are seeking answers to questions about it, you may find it here:

1. What are some of the characteristics of constipation?

2. What causes constipation?

3. How often should someone have a bowel movement? What's normal?

4. Is there a reason for women suffering from constipation much more often than men?

1. What are some of the characteristics of constipation?

Painful, difficult bowel movements and feeling gassy or bloated are well-known characteristics of constipation. Other signs include hard, dry stools or excessive straining to have a bowel movement.

It's important to keep in mind that infrequent bowel movements alone do not necessarily indicate constipation. In medical terms, constipation is diagnosed when a patient has fewer than three bowel movements a week, and/or stools are hard and dry.

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2. What causes constipation?

Constipation occurs when the normal muscle actions in the colon (large intestine), fail to work properly, meaning the contents cannot be eliminated normally.

The causes of constipation are complex and for most people with long-standing constipation there is no identifiable cause.^1,2 Recent review of available evidence has shown many previously held beliefs as to the causes of constipation, are unfounded.³ However, they may include some of the following:
• Certain diseases
• Certain medications
• Changes in routine, such as holidays or travel
• Change in metabolism
• Suppressing the urge to go to the bathroom
• Hormonal changes; pregnancy
• Recovery from surgery
• In some cases, not getting enough exercise.

References
1. Kamm MA. Constipation and its management. British Medical Journal 2003;327:460-462. http://bmj.com/cgi/content/full/327/7413/459
2. Tramonte SM, et al. The treatment of chronic constipation: a systematic review. Journal of General Internal Medicine 1997;12:15-24.
3. Müller-Lissner SA, Kamm MA, Scarpignato C, Wald A. Myths and Misconceptions About Chronic Constipation. American Journal of Gastroenterology 2005; www.amjgastro.com

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3. How often should someone have a bowel movement? What's normal?

When it comes to bowel movements, what is normal varies from person to person. Some healthy people have one bowel movement a day, some have more than one, and others have just three or four a week. It all depends on your individual digestive system, what you eat, and your own lifestyle.

But if you have fewer than three bowel movements a week, or if having a bowel movement involves excessive straining and/or pain, you may be suffering from constipation and should seek advice from your healthcare professional.

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4. Is there a reason for women suffering from constipation much more often than men?

Yes. Women report that they suffer from constipation three times more frequently than men do.

The reasons for this are not entirely understood. It may be that psychological differences make women more aware of their health and more willing to talk about it than men. There are certainly some physical factors that affect digestion, e.g. during pregnancy, the body produces special hormones to immobilise the uterus, to avoid premature contractions. This immobilisation of the uterus also affects the intestinal muscle, which could cause constipation. During menopause, the hormone levels also change considerably, which could influence the movement of the intestines and may lead to constipation.

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	1.	What are some of the characteristics of constipation?



	2.	What causes constipation?



	3.	How often should someone have a bowel movement? What's normal?



	4.	Is there a reason for women suffering from constipation much more often than men?



	1.	What are some of the characteristics of constipation?

	Painful, difficult bowel movements and feeling gassy or bloated are well-known characteristics of constipation. Other signs include hard, dry stools or excessive straining to have a bowel movement. It's important to keep in mind that infrequent bowel movements alone do not necessarily indicate constipation. In medical terms, constipation is diagnosed when a patient has fewer than three bowel movements a week, and/or stools are hard and dry.
	top



	2.	What causes constipation?

	Constipation occurs when the normal muscle actions in the colon (large intestine), fail to work properly, meaning the contents cannot be eliminated normally. The causes of constipation are complex and for most people with long-standing constipation there is no identifiable cause.^1,2 Recent review of available evidence has shown many previously held beliefs as to the causes of constipation, are unfounded.³ However, they may include some of the following: • Certain diseases • Certain medications • Changes in routine, such as holidays or travel • Change in metabolism • Suppressing the urge to go to the bathroom • Hormonal changes; pregnancy • Recovery from surgery • In some cases, not getting enough exercise. References 1. Kamm MA. Constipation and its management. British Medical Journal 2003;327:460-462. http://bmj.com/cgi/content/full/327/7413/459 2. Tramonte SM, et al. The treatment of chronic constipation: a systematic review. Journal of General Internal Medicine 1997;12:15-24. 3. Müller-Lissner SA, Kamm MA, Scarpignato C, Wald A. Myths and Misconceptions About Chronic Constipation. American Journal of Gastroenterology 2005; www.amjgastro.com
	top



	3.	How often should someone have a bowel movement? What's normal?

	When it comes to bowel movements, what is normal varies from person to person. Some healthy people have one bowel movement a day, some have more than one, and others have just three or four a week. It all depends on your individual digestive system, what you eat, and your own lifestyle. But if you have fewer than three bowel movements a week, or if having a bowel movement involves excessive straining and/or pain, you may be suffering from constipation and should seek advice from your healthcare professional.
	top



	4.	Is there a reason for women suffering from constipation much more often than men?

	Yes. Women report that they suffer from constipation three times more frequently than men do. The reasons for this are not entirely understood. It may be that psychological differences make women more aware of their health and more willing to talk about it than men. There are certainly some physical factors that affect digestion, e.g. during pregnancy, the body produces special hormones to immobilise the uterus, to avoid premature contractions. This immobilisation of the uterus also affects the intestinal muscle, which could cause constipation. During menopause, the hormone levels also change considerably, which could influence the movement of the intestines and may lead to constipation.
	top