{"id":19042,"date":"2026-05-27T17:01:28","date_gmt":"2026-05-27T11:31:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lalpathlabs.com\/blog\/?p=19042"},"modified":"2026-05-27T17:04:08","modified_gmt":"2026-05-27T11:34:08","slug":"chronic-constipation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lalpathlabs.com\/blog\/chronic-constipation\/","title":{"rendered":"Chronic Constipation: Causes, Tests, and How to Cure Constipation"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-19043\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lalpathlabs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/chronic-constipation-march-1024x512.png\" alt=\"Chronic Constipation\" width=\"800\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lalpathlabs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/chronic-constipation-march-1024x512.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.lalpathlabs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/chronic-constipation-march-300x150.png 300w, https:\/\/www.lalpathlabs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/chronic-constipation-march-768x384.png 768w, https:\/\/www.lalpathlabs.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/chronic-constipation-march.png 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Constipation is a common discomfort seen in individuals who have fewer than three bowel movements a week, with hard stools that are difficult to pass. Everyone&#8217;s bathroom habits differ, some go many times a day, others just once or twice a week, but it becomes a problem when an individual strays from the normal pattern due to low fiber, less water, no exercise, or diet changes.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Some ignore it as a minor issue, but cases like chronic constipation need care to prevent worsening. This article covers what is constipation, its causes and symptoms, tests like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lalpathlabs.com\/pathology-test\/stool-examination-routine-stool-re\">stool examination<\/a>, plus constipation treatment and remedies for relief.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>What is Chronic Constipation?\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Chronic constipation goes beyond occasional discomfort, it&#8217;s when one has fewer than three bowel movements a week for over three months, along with ongoing straining and hard stools that feel impossible to pass.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Chronic constipation happens when stool lingers too long in an individual\u2019s colon, pulling in extra water and turning rock-hard, making every trip to the bathroom a struggle. Unlike short-lived cases from travel or diet slips, chronic forms often point to deeper issues like sluggish gut muscles or pelvic floor issues that need proper care.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>What Causes Constipation?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Here&#8217;s a detailed list of the most common triggers that doctors see time and again:<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Low-fiber diets that exclude fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, which bulk up stool for easier passage.<\/li>\n<li>Not drinking enough water, leaving the body dehydrated, and the stool too firm.<\/li>\n<li>A sedentary lifestyle with little walking or movement slows everything down.<\/li>\n<li>Habitually ignoring the urge to go, training the bowels to hold back.<\/li>\n<li>Certain medications, including painkillers like opioids, iron supplements, or antidepressants.<\/li>\n<li>Health conditions such as an underactive thyroid, diabetes, or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).<\/li>\n<li>Structural problems like colon blockages, pelvic floor dysfunction, or even neurological issues in rarer cases.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><strong>What are Chronic Constipation Symptoms?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Symptoms of chronic constipation build gradually and persist. Here is a list of the most common symptoms:<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Fewer than three bowel movements each week, sometimes even less.<\/li>\n<li>Lumpy, hard stools that resemble pebbles or rocks.<\/li>\n<li>Straining hard every time to pass stool.<\/li>\n<li>A nagging sensation that the bowels aren&#8217;t fully emptying.<\/li>\n<li>Need to use hands for manual support to push the stool out.<\/li>\n<li>Loose stools rarely happen without laxatives, signalling a motility issue.<\/li>\n<li>Bloating, abdominal pain, or discomfort that builds up.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><strong>What are the Tests to Diagnose Chronic Constipation?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Doctors diagnose chronic constipation through a mix of simple checks and advanced tests to find the root cause. They start with the medical history, diet habits, and a physical exam, including a gentle abdominal press and rectal check. Here&#8217;s a list of common tests that a medical provider may suggest:<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Lab tests:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lalpathlabs.com\/book-a-test\">Blood tests<\/a> and urine tests help to uncover signs of hypothyroidism, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lalpathlabs.com\/pathology-test\/anemia-panel-1\">anemia<\/a>, and diabetes, which can slow digestion. A stool sample is used to check for signs of infection or inflammation.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Imaging tests:<\/strong> The doctor may request a CT scan, MRI scan, or lower gastrointestinal tract series to spot other problems causing constipation.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Colonoscopy:<\/strong> Doctors may perform a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy, a process that gives an internal view of the colon with a scope.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Colorectal transit studies:<\/strong> In these studies, an individual swallows a small dose of a radioactive substance in pill or meal form, then it is tracked to measure its transit speed.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Other bowel function tests:<\/strong> These tests check how well the anus and rectum hold and release stool, including defecography (a special X-ray to rule out outlet dysfunction).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><strong>What is Constipation Treatment?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Constipation treatment is stepwise, always starting with the least invasive options for safe, effective relief. Here&#8217;s what a constipation treatment devised by a healthcare provider may include:<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Lifestyle changes like including a high-fibre diet with more than 8 glasses of water, and daily exercise.<\/li>\n<li>Prescribed laxatives and fibre supplements along with other medications.<\/li>\n<li>Rarely, surgery to fix severe structural issues like rectal prolapse.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><strong>What are Some Constipation Remedies?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Constipation remedies can act as a quick natural help that are advised by medical professionals. These include:<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Prunes or prune juice, packed with fiber and sorbitol that naturally loosen things up.<\/li>\n<li>Chia or flaxseeds soaked overnight in water for omega-rich, swelling fiber.<\/li>\n<li>Probiotic yogurts or kefir to balance gut bacteria and ease digestion.<\/li>\n<li>Warm lemon water first thing in the morning.<\/li>\n<li>Gentle clockwise abdominal massage to stimulate bowel movement.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Individuals showing the above-mentioned symptoms of chronic constipation must consult a doctor for proper evaluation and relief. And if a doctor recommends a stool examination test, book it on the <a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/dlplapp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Dr. Lal PathLabs app<\/a> today.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><strong>FAQs<\/strong><\/h2>\n<h4>1. What is constipation meaning?<\/h4>\n<p>Constipation meaning is defined as having fewer than 3 bowel movements a week, with hard, dry stools that hurt to pass, usually due to slow-moving digestion in the colon.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4>2. What causes constipation?<\/h4>\n<p>Constipation is caused by skimping on water, couch-potato habits, certain drugs, or conditions like IBS and thyroid slowdowns.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h4>3. How is constipation treatment done?<\/h4>\n<p>Constipation treatment includes better diet and exercise, and prescribed gentle laxatives to get normal bowel movements back.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Constipation is a common discomfort seen in individuals who have fewer than three bowel movements a week, with hard stools that are difficult to pass. Everyone&#8217;s bathroom habits differ, some go many times a day, others just once or twice a week, but it becomes a problem when an individual strays from the normal pattern [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":19043,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":""},"categories":[1055],"tags":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lalpathlabs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19042"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lalpathlabs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lalpathlabs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lalpathlabs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lalpathlabs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19042"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.lalpathlabs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19042\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":19048,"href":"https:\/\/www.lalpathlabs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19042\/revisions\/19048"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lalpathlabs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/19043"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lalpathlabs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19042"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lalpathlabs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19042"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lalpathlabs.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=19042"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}