When Chronic Constipation Needs Medical Attention

​Constipation is common and can happen from time to time. You may have fewer bowel movements than usual, stools that are hard or difficult to pass, or a feeling that you have not completely emptied your bowels. If constipation continues over time, keeps coming back, or begins to interfere with your daily life, discuss it with a healthcare provider.

Constipation can have many possible causes, including changes in diet or routine, medications, pregnancy, pelvic floor problems, and certain health conditions. You do not have to wait until constipation becomes severe to ask for help. Knowing which symptoms warrant medical attention can help you decide when to talk with a healthcare provider.

Signs That Your Chronic Constipation Needs Medical Attention

Constipation can often improve with changes in diet, hydration, activity, or routine. But symptoms that persist, worsen, or differ from your usual bowel habits are worth discussing with a healthcare provider.

1) Constipation That Does Not Improve

If you continue to have fewer bowel movements than usual, hard or difficult-to-pass stools, frequent straining, or a feeling that you have not completely emptied your bowels, talk with your healthcare provider. Constipation that keeps coming back or does not improve with changes you have tried at home may need further evaluation.

2) Severe or Worsening Abdominal Pain

​Mild abdominal discomfort or bloating can happen with constipation. Severe, sudden, or worsening abdominal pain should not be assumed to be caused by constipation and may require prompt medical attention. Seek care promptly if severe pain occurs along with vomiting, significant abdominal swelling, or an inability to pass stool or gas.

3) Blood in Your Stool

Straining or passing hard stools can sometimes cause small amounts of bright red blood from hemorrhoids or an anal fissure. However, rectal bleeding can have other causes and should be discussed with a healthcare provider. Seek prompt medical attention for heavy bleeding, black or tarry stools, or bleeding accompanied by other severe symptoms.

4) Unexplained Weight Loss or Loss of Appetite

Constipation accompanied by unexplained weight loss or a significant loss of appetite should be evaluated. These symptoms may have many possible causes and should not be assumed to be related to constipation alone.

5) A Significant Change in Your Bowel Habits

A new or lasting change in your usual bowel habits—including constipation, diarrhea, or changes between the two—is worth discussing with your healthcare provider. Tracking when the change started and any other symptoms you notice can provide useful information during your appointment.

6) Frequent Straining or Difficulty Emptying Your Bowels

Regularly needing to strain, feeling that stool is difficult to pass, or frequently feeling that you have not completely emptied your bowels can also be signs of constipation. If these symptoms continue, talk with your healthcare provider. In some cases, problems with the muscles involved in having a bowel movement may contribute and require additional evaluation.

Factors That Can Contribute to Constipation

Constipation can have many possible causes, and more than one factor may be involved. Understanding what has changed in your health, medications, diet, or routine can help you and your healthcare provider identify possible contributors.

Pregnancy

​Constipation is common during pregnancy. Hormonal and physical changes can affect digestion, and certain supplements or medications used during pregnancy may also contribute. If constipation is persistent, severe, or causing significant discomfort during pregnancy, talk with your healthcare provider before trying medications or other treatments on your own.

Medications and Supplements

​Certain prescription and over-the-counter medications and supplements can contribute to constipation. If your symptoms begin or become worse after starting or changing a medication or supplement, let your healthcare provider know. Do not stop a prescribed medication without talking with your provider. They can review what you are taking and determine whether changes or other options may be appropriate.

Pelvic Floor Changes

The muscles of the pelvic floor help with bowel movements. If these muscles do not relax or work together as expected, it can make stool difficult to pass or leave you feeling that you have not completely emptied your bowels. If you frequently strain, have difficulty passing stool, or feel incomplete emptying, talk with your healthcare provider. Additional evaluation may help determine whether pelvic floor function is contributing.

Changes With Age

Constipation becomes more common with age, but it should not automatically be considered a normal part of getting older. Changes in medications, activity, diet, hydration, mobility, and health conditions can all affect bowel habits over time. New or persistent constipation—especially a significant change from your usual bowel habits—is worth discussing with a healthcare provider at any age.

Getting Help for Ongoing Constipation

Constipation that continues or keeps coming back is worth discussing with a healthcare provider. Finding the cause can help guide treatment and reduce the discomfort and disruption constipation may cause in your daily life. Over time, frequent straining or passing hard stools can contribute to problems such as hemorrhoids or small tears around the anus called anal fissures. Severe constipation can sometimes lead to stool becoming difficult to pass without additional treatment.

Talking about bowel habits may feel uncomfortable, but this information can help your healthcare provider understand what you are experiencing. Be prepared to discuss how often you have bowel movements, what your stools are like, whether you strain or have pain, medications or supplements you take, and any recent changes in your health or routine.

Constipation is common, but you do not have to simply live with ongoing symptoms. Your healthcare provider can help determine what may be contributing and discuss treatment options based on your needs.

Digestive and Women's Health Support at Augusta Health

​Ongoing constipation can have many possible causes, and you do not have to determine the reason on your own. At Augusta Health, your healthcare provider can help evaluate your symptoms, review factors that may be contributing, and determine what type of care may be appropriate.

​Augusta Health Gastroenterology provides evaluation and treatment for constipation and other digestive concerns. Depending on your symptoms and health history, your provider may also consider medications, diet, bowel patterns, pelvic floor function, or other health conditions that could be contributing.

​If constipation occurs during pregnancy or happens along with pelvic symptoms or other women's health concerns, talk with your healthcare provider about those symptoms as well. Your provider can help determine whether additional evaluation or support from the Augusta Health Center for Women's Health may be appropriate.

​If constipation continues, keeps coming back, or is interfering with your daily life, talk with a healthcare provider. You do not have to wait until symptoms become severe to seek help. Call 540-324-3982 or visit our website to find an Augusta Health provider near you.