Constipation makes you feel unwell due to a combination of backed-up waste, toxins, inflammation, and pressure in the gut, which triggers symptoms like bloating, nausea, fatigue, and general sluggishness by slowing digestion and affecting the gut-brain axis. The delayed movement of food and buildup of byproducts can cause nausea, while the strain and inflammation can lead to discomfort, sluggishness, and fatigue, impacting energy and mood.
You may also have a stomach ache and feel bloated or sick.
Signs and symptoms of pregnancy constipation
Constipation is a common condition for pregnant women. As well as irregular and unsatisfying bowel movements, it can cause bloating, heartburn, gassiness and abdominal pain. Straining while on the toilet also raises the risk of anal tears and hemorrhoids (piles).
If the body cannot pass the stool through a regular bowel movement, creating a blockage, it will make an effort to rid itself of the toxin buildup inside via nausea and potentially, vomiting.
Your stools are dry, hard and/or lumpy. Your stools are difficult or painful to pass. You have a stomachache or cramps. You feel bloated and nauseated.
Constipation symptoms and signs
Our study suggests an association between constipation and psychiatric disorders especially anxiety and depression, but because our research project is a correlation study, we cannot assign a causal relationship between these two conditions. Furthermore, age and sex are some confounding factors.
Straining or pain when passing stools. A feeling that not all stool has passed. A feeling that the rectum is blocked. The need to use a finger to pass stool.
The best drinks for constipation are plain water, warm liquids (coffee, tea) to stimulate bowels, and juices high in sorbitol like prune, apple, or pear juice, which draw water into the colon. Adding fiber-rich green smoothies, clear soups, or sipping probiotic kefir can also help, while avoiding alcohol and excessive dairy can prevent worsening constipation. Staying hydrated overall is crucial for soft, easy-to-pass stools.
Try to relax. Try to breathe into the lower half of your lungs, and keep your mouth slightly open (to avoid straining which will in turn contract the pelvic floor muscles and make it more difficult to pass a poo). Then brace and bulge, push and close off (see overleaf).
Although bowel movement frequency varies greatly for each person, if more than three days pass without a bowel movement, the contents in the intestines may harden, making it difficult or even painful to pass. Straining during bowel movements or the feeling of incomplete emptying also may be considered constipation.
Constipation usually occurs when stools remain in the colon (large intestine) for too long, and the colon absorbs too much water from the stools, causing them to become hard and dry. Most cases of constipation aren't caused by a specific condition and it may be difficult to identify the exact cause.
The symptoms of faecal impaction are similar to the symptoms of constipation. But other more serious symptoms can occur. These include: back pain due to the mass of poo pressing on the nerves in your lower back (the sacral nerves)
The discomfort, pain, and fatigue that come with constipation can take a toll on your mental health. It can cause stress as you may feel overwhelmed by your symptoms. The persistent nature of constipation symptoms can lead to feelings of stress and being overwhelmed.
When constipated, avoid processed foods, red meat, dairy, refined carbs (white bread, pasta), fried foods, and sugary drinks, as these are low in fiber and high in fat/sugar, slowing digestion; also don't delay going to the bathroom or become dehydrated by drinking alcohol or too much caffeine, as water is crucial for softening stool. Straining excessively and using certain laxatives without advice should also be avoided.
To empty your bowels completely, use the "brace and bulge" technique with proper posture: sit on the toilet, use a footstool to get knees higher than hips, lean forward with elbows on knees, brace your abdomen (like preparing for a punch) to widen your waist, then gently push your belly out ("bulge") while breathing normally to open the anal sphincter, helping to empty without straining. Combining this with hydration and fiber is key for regularity.
Besides papaya, apple is also one of the recommended fruits to relieve constipation. Apple is high in fiber, even a small apple (weighing approximately 200 grams) contains 4 grams of fiber. This nutrition is beneficial in assisting stool formation and triggering regular defecation.
How To Empty Your Bowels Every Morning
A diet low in fibre has been linked to:
If a diagnosis of constipation is suspected, ask about:
Any red flag symptoms or signs that may suggest a serious underlying cause, such as colorectal cancer. These include a sudden change in bowel habit, rectal bleeding or bloody stools, weight loss, abdominal pain or iron deficiency anaemia.
Constipation means hard, infrequent bowel movements and mild discomfort. An intestinal blockage has severe symptoms like not passing gas or stool, intense pain, and vomiting. If you have severe symptoms, get medical help right away.
Laxatives: You can drink a polyethylene glycol (PEG) solution or use an over-the counter (OTC) laxative to cleanse your colon. Surgery: If you have severe fecal impaction, your healthcare provider will perform surgery, especially to target symptoms of bleeding due to a tear in your bowel (bowel perforation).
People often feel constipated during times of stress. That's likely because of the link between the bowels and emotions. There's no specific test to find out if stress is causing your constipation. But your primary care provider can consider your medical history and other symptoms to see if stress is a factor.
Physical symptoms of an unbalanced root chakra can include anxiety, constipation, weight problems, and hemorrhoids--just to name a few.
Lazy bowel syndrome is a condition characterized by the slow movement of waste through the digestive system, typically due to the reduced motility of the large intestine. Lazy bowel syndrome may be a consequence of direct and indirect factors, which may result in symptoms of constipation.