Chronic Constipation is a cluster of signs and symptoms that can vary from person to person.
Common Symptoms of constipation include:
- reduced number of bowel movements (BMs) (Less than three BMs per week is considered low. However, people have different ranges of what is normal.)
- passage of hard or pellet-like BMs
- having to strain or excessively push to start or complete a BM
- the patient’s feeling as though they did not empty completely after a BM
- a sensation that the necessary muscles will not relax enough to allow stool to be passed
- needing to change positions on the toilet, push around the groin, or manually pick BMs out of the rectum
Abdominal symptoms are also common in individuals with constipation. These symptoms include:
- abdominal pain – pain varying from dull to sharp that occurs in the belly area
- abdominal discomfort – discomfort varying from dull to sharp that occurs in the belly area
- bloating – a buildup of gas or swollen feeling in the stomach or intestines
- distention – an uncomfortable swelling in the intestines that causes the abdominal area to visibly expand
- nausea – often including an urge to vomit
- vomiting.
If you are experiencing constipation and symptoms are persisting or worsening, it is important to visit a healthcare provider to find the best treatment plan for you.
