Two or more of the following must be present for the previous three months for a diagnosis of constipation:

• Passing fewer than three stools a week
• Having lumpy or hard stools
• Straining while passing stools
• Sensation of a blockage in rectum that prevents bowel movements
• Feeling of incomplete emptying of stool from rectum
• Need of using a finger to remove stool from rectum or using your hands to press on your abdomen

• Physical Inactivity
• Lack of dietary fiber
• Inadequate fluid intake
• Medications like narcotic drugs, antidepressants, diuretics, anticonvulsants, antihistaminics, iron supplements etc..
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Hypothyroidism
• Diabetes mellitus
• Pregnancy
• Mechanical obstruction like tumors in the large intestine, anal stenosis, narrowing of intestine (stricture), external compression of intestine, rectum bulge through the back wall of the vagina (rectocele).
• Electrolyte disturbances
• Neurologic diseases like autonomic neuropathy, spinal cord injury, stroke etc..
• Eating disorders

• Piles or hemorrhoids
• Fissure.
• Stool that can’t be expelled (fecal impaction)
• Intestine protrudes from the anus (rectal prolapse)
• Ulceration of the rectum

LIFESTYLE CHANGES:

• Exercise regularly and Increase physical activity.
• Regular and unhurried bowel movements.
• Do not ignore the urge to have a bowel movement
• High fibre diet
• Increased fluid intake

LAXATIVES:

• Fiber supplements add bulk to stool. Commonly used ones are ispaghula, methylcellulose etc..
• Osmotic: magnesium sulfate, sodium phosphate
• Stimulants:
• Stool softeners
• Emollients
• Enema
• Suppositories
• Other drugs

BOWEL TRAINING (Bio feedback)

SURGERY:

Surgery may be an option if constipation is caused by a mechanical blockage like tumors, stricuture, tumors causing external compression, rectocele, anal fissure or stricture.

Surgery can also be reserved as the last resort when all other treatment options fail, where in a part of intestine is removed.