Treatment for chronic constipation usually begins with diet and lifestyle changes meant to increase the speed at which stool moves through your intestines. If those changes don’t help, your doctor may recommend medications or surgery.

Your doctor may recommend the following changes to relieve your constipation:

• Increase your fiber intake. Adding fiber to your diet increases the weight of your stool and speeds its passage through your intestines. Slowly begin to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables each day. Choose whole-grain breads and cereals. In general, aim for 14 grams of fiber for every 1,000 calories in your daily diet.
• Exercise most days of the week. Physical activity increases muscle activity in your intestines. Try to fit in exercise most days of the week. If you do not already exercise, talk to your doctor about whether you are healthy enough to start an exercise program.
• Don’t ignore the urge to have a bowel movement. Take your time in the bathroom, allowing yourself enough time to have a bowel movement without distractions and without feeling rushed.

Several types of laxatives exist. Each works somewhat differently to make it easier to have a bowel movement:

• Fiber supplements. Fiber supplements add bulk to your stool. Bulky stools are softer and easier to pass. Fiber supplements include psyllium, calcium polycarbophil, and methylcellulose.
• Stimulants. Stimulants including bisacodyl and sennosides cause your intestines to contract.
• Osmotics. Osmotic laxatives help stool move through the colon by increasing secretion of fluid from the intestines and helping to stimulate bowel movements. Examples include oral magnesium citrate, lactulose, and polyethylene glycol.
• Lubricants. Lubricants such as mineral oil enable stool to move through your colon more easily.
• Stool softeners. Stool softeners such as docusate sodium and docusate calcium moisten the stool by drawing water from the intestines.
• Enemas and suppositories. Tap water enemas with or without soapsuds can be useful to soften stool and produce a bowel movement. Glycerin or bisacodyl suppositories also aid in moving stool out of the body by producing lubrication and stimulation.

If over-the-counter medications don’t help your chronic constipation, your doctor may recommend a prescription medication, especially if you have irritable bowel syndrome. If you are experiencing this, consider making an appointment with one of our doctors.

Chronic constipation is infrequent bowel movements or difficult passage of stools that persists for several weeks or longer. Constipation is generally described as having fewer than three bowel movements a week.

Though occasional constipation is very common, some people experience chronic constipation that can interfere with their ability to go about their daily tasks. Chronic constipation may also cause people to strain excessively in order to have a bowel movement.

Signs and symptoms of chronic constipation include:

• Passing fewer than three stools a week
• Having lumpy or hard stools
• Straining to have bowel movements
• Feeling as though there’s a blockage in your rectum that prevents bowel movements
• Feeling as though you can’t completely empty the stool from your rectum
• Needing help to empty your rectum, such as using your hands to press on your abdomen and using a finger to remove stool from your rectum

Constipation may be considered chronic if you experience unexplained and persistent changes in your bowel habits.

Infants older than eight weeks often go 4 or 5 days without a dirty diaper, and it doesn’t mean they are constipated. Breastfed babies, especially if they have not started solid foods, can easily go two weeks without a dirty diaper once they are 2-3 months old. Formula-fed babies and babies who have started solid foods often become constipated, but it is easily treated. If your baby seems uncomfortable, is straining to have a bowel movement, or is having hard, solid stools, they are probably constipated.

Make an appointment with your doctor if you experience unexplained and persistent changes in your bowel habits.