Constipation
Pending clinical review Educational information from public health sources, pending clinical review. It is not a diagnosis or medical advice.
Pooing less often than usual (fewer than 3 times in a week), or poo that is hard, dry or difficult to pass. It is common and often eased by changes to diet and routine.
Get emergency help now (call your local emergency number (112 in India)) if you have:
- You cannot poo or pass wind at all, with a swollen, painful tummy
Contact a doctor or clinician today if you have:
- Blood in your poo
- Losing weight without trying
- A sudden change in your bowel habits, or constipation with tiredness all the time
When to see a clinician
- It is not getting better with diet and routine changes, or keeps coming back.
- You are regularly bloated or have tummy pain.
- A medicine you take may be causing it (do not stop a prescribed medicine without asking your clinician).
What it can be associated with
This page cannot tell you what is causing your symptom. Many different things, minor and serious, can cause the same symptom, and only a clinician who can examine you can assess it. The list of things a symptom can be associated with is in alphabetical order, not in order of how likely they are.
- A change in diet or routine
- A side effect of medicine
- Ignoring the urge to go to the toilet
- Not drinking enough fluids
- Not eating enough fibre
- Not moving enough or sitting for long periods
- Pregnancy
- Stress, anxiety or depression
General self-care
- Drink plenty of water and other fluids.
- Gradually increase the fibre in your diet (fruit, vegetables, wholegrains, oats).
- Keep to a regular toilet routine and do not delay when you feel the urge.
- A daily walk or other activity can help.
For medicines, ask a pharmacist or doctor; SuperHealthyAI does not advise on medicines or doses.
Check for warning signs
Tick any that apply now. This does not diagnose anything; it tells you how soon to get help.
Sources
- NHS (England): Constipation (retrieved 2026-10-19)
- MedlinePlus (US National Library of Medicine): Constipation (retrieved 2026-10-19)
This page is general education, not personal medical advice. For diagnosis, treatment or medicines, please talk to a qualified doctor, registered dietitian or pharmacist. Read our medical & AI disclaimer.