What Causes Constipation? Key Triggers and Risk Factors

What Causes Constipation?

Constipation stems from factors that slow digestion in the large intestine or impair stool evacuation from the colon, rectum, or anus.

• Slowing of food digestion in the large intestine;
• Issues with stool evacuation in the terminal colon, rectum, or anus.

Constipation falls into two main types:

• Occasional constipation;
• Chronic constipation (lasting more than six months).

It often relates to:

• Inadequate hydration;
• Low-fiber diet;
• Lack of physical activity;
• Diet or lifestyle changes;
• Psychological factors;
• Stress;
• Environmental changes;
• And more.

In pregnant women, reduced contractions in the digestive tract slow intestinal transit and stool evacuation due to hormonal shifts.

Neurological conditions like neuropathy, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson's disease also promote constipation by disrupting intestinal muscle contractions.

Medications That Can Cause Constipation

Many medications disrupt intestinal transit, leading to constipation. Long-term laxative use is another common culprit.

The main drugs include:

• Analgesics: hydromorphone, tramadol, codeine, morphine, oxycodone, fentanyl, etc.;
• Antidepressants: imipramine, tricyclics, SSRIs, duloxetine;
• Antihypertensives: ACE inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, beta-blockers, diuretics;
• Antiepileptics: carbamazepine, pregabalin;
• Anti-cancer: gemcitabine, carboplatin, docetaxel, exemestane, vincristine;
• Antiplatelet agents: clopidogrel;
• Oral antidiabetics: gliclazide, repaglinide;
• Antiulcer: omeprazole, lansoprazole, esomeprazole, rabeprazole, pantoprazole;
• Bisphosphonates: alendronic acid, zoledronic acid, risedronate;
• Etc.

Symptoms of Constipation

Constipation brings significant discomfort and typically manifests as:

• Hard stools causing evacuation difficulties;
• Infrequent defecation.

Normal bowel frequency ranges from three times a day to three times a week.

Bloating and abdominal cramps indicate obstruction as water is absorbed from food residues in the colon, hardening stools that accumulate in the small intestine and rectum. This makes defecation challenging, often requiring dietary adjustments or medications.

Also read:

Constipation: 9 foods not to eat (especially)

Grandma's remedy: end constipation!

Constipation: 9 essential oils to relieve and revive transit