What causes constipation?

    Last Updated: October 25, 2023

    There are many possible causes of and contributors to constipation, which means the reason for constipation varies from person to person.

    A number of health conditions can cause constipation, including hypothyroidism, diabetes, hypercalcemia, intestinal stricture, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease. Constipation can also be caused by various medications, including opioids, iron supplements, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), calcium channel blockers, antacids, antihistamines, and diuretics.

    Lifestyle factors that may increase the risk of constipation include a low fiber intake,[1][2][3][4] physical inactivity,[2][5][6][4] and a low fluid intake,[7][8][9][4] although conflicting evidence exists for each of these factors.

    References

    1. ^Shen L, Huang C, Lu X, Xu X, Jiang Z, Zhu CLower dietary fibre intake, but not total water consumption, is associated with constipation: a population-based analysis.J Hum Nutr Diet.(2019-08)
    2. ^Dukas L, Willett WC, Giovannucci ELAssociation between physical activity, fiber intake, and other lifestyle variables and constipation in a study of women.Am J Gastroenterol.(2003-Aug)
    3. ^Morais MB, Vítolo MR, Aguirre AN, Fagundes-Neto UMeasurement of low dietary fiber intake as a risk factor for chronic constipation in children.J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr.(1999-Aug)
    4. ^Yurtdaş G, Acar-Tek N, Akbulut G, Cemali Ö, Arslan N, Beyaz Coşkun A, Zengin FHRisk Factors for Constipation in Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study.J Am Coll Nutr.(2020)
    5. ^Yamada M, Sekine M, Tatsuse TPsychological Stress, Family Environment, and Constipation in Japanese Children: The Toyama Birth Cohort Study.J Epidemiol.(2019-Jun-05)
    6. ^Paola Iovino, Giuseppe Chiarioni, Giancarlo Bilancio, Massimo Cirillo, Igor B Mekjavic, Rado Pisot, Carolina CiacciNew onset of constipation during long-term physical inactivity: a proof-of-concept study on the immobility-induced bowel changesPLoS One.(2013 Aug 20)
    7. ^Boilesen SN, Tahan S, Dias FC, Melli LCFL, de Morais MBWater and fluid intake in the prevention and treatment of functional constipation in children and adolescents: is there evidence?J Pediatr (Rio J).(2017)
    8. ^Rey E, Balboa A, Mearin FChronic constipation, irritable bowel syndrome with constipation and constipation with pain/discomfort: similarities and differences.Am J Gastroenterol.(2014-Jun)
    9. ^Klauser AG, Beck A, Schindlbeck NE, Müller-Lissner SALow fluid intake lowers stool output in healthy male volunteers.Z Gastroenterol.(1990-Nov)