Constipation: Causes, Symptoms, Prevention & Natural Remedies:
Constipation is a common digestive complaint affecting both adults and children. While it can be uncomfortable—and sometimes painful—most cases can be relieved with simple home treatment and lifestyle changes.
What Is Constipation?
Constipation refers to difficulty passing stool, often accompanied by:
• Hard, dry stools
• Straining or pain during bowel movements
• Cramping
• Occasional bright red streaks of blood on the stool (usually from small anal tears)
Many people worry that they should have a bowel movement every day, but this is a myth. A normal bowel habit ranges from three times a day to three times a week. If stools are soft and pass easily, you are not constipated.
Constipation in Babies and Children:
Just like adults, the frequency of bowel movements varies widely in children:
• Newborns may have several loose stools a day—or only once a week.
• Breastfed babies often have more frequent stools.
• As children grow, stool frequency decreases and stool size increases.
Straining does not always mean constipation in babies. If a child is passing soft, comfortable stools, there is usually no cause for concern. However, some children experience chronic constipation, where stool withholding becomes a cycle. This can lead to large, painful bowel movements and ongoing difficulty.
Causes of Constipation:
Constipation can be triggered by many everyday habits. Common causes include:
1. Low Fibre / Low Water Intake
A diet lacking in fruit, vegetables, and whole grains is a major contributor.
2. Withholding Stools
Especially common in children who:
• Don’t want to stop playing
• Fear unfamiliar toilets
• Feel stressed during toilet training
• Experience anxiety or oppositional behavior
3. Lifestyle Factors
• Travelling
• Lack of exercise
• Diet changes
• Eating too many processed foods
4. Medical Causes
Though less common, constipation may be linked to:
• Haemorrhoids or anal fissures
• Medication side effects
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Endocrine disorders (e.g., hypothyroidism)
• High calcium levels
• Neurological conditions (e.g., spinal cord issues, Hirschsprung’s disease)
• Chronic lead poisoning
• Overuse of laxatives
Symptoms of Constipation:
Constipation symptoms may include:
• Difficulty passing stool
• Cramping or rectal pain
• Bloating or nausea
• Reduced appetite
• Reduced interest in activities
• More frequent urination (pressure on the bladder)
• Stool leakage or soiling (encopresis in children)
• Alternating constipation and watery diarrhoea
• Bright red blood from small anal fissures
How to Prevent Constipation:
Preventing constipation is easier than treating it. These diet and lifestyle habits help keep stools soft and regular.
1. Diet for Healthy Bowel Movements
Eat High-Fibre Foods
Increase fibre slowly to avoid gas or discomfort.
Great fibre sources include:
• Whole grain cereals (3 g+ fibre per serving)
• Bran or unprocessed wheat bran
• Raw and cooked vegetables
• Fruits (apricots, pears, prunes, peaches, figs, raisins, dates)
• Whole grain crackers
• Nuts and seeds
• Popcorn
• Pulses (beans, lentils, peas)
Avoid high-fat, high-sugar, high-dairy diets, as these can worsen constipation.
Drink Plenty of Fluids
Fibre works best when paired with water.
• Aim for 1.5–2 litres of fluid daily
• Drink 2–4 extra glasses of water in the morning
• Prune juice is a helpful natural laxative
Drink hot water: Warm drinks can stimulate the digestive tract, especially first thing in the day. Before you have your morning coffee, try drinking a hot cup of water, you can also add a tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice to it.
For Babies and Young Children
• Breastfeeding protects against constipation
• Ensure formula is mixed correctly
• Offer a little extra water to infants
• From 6 months: prune, pear, grape, apple or cherry juice (small amounts)
• Limit excessive dairy intake in toddlers
2. Exercise
Movement helps stimulate the digestive system. Even a simple daily walking routine is effective.
3. Healthy Bathroom Habits
• Encourage relaxed toilet time, especially after meals (post-breakfast works well)
• Don’t ignore the urge to go
• Use a footstool to help children maintain a comfortable, natural position
Home Remedies for Constipation:
Most occasional constipation can be treated at home:
• Follow a high-fibre diet
• Drink more water
• Try bulking agents like psyllium or bran (with plenty of water)
• A warm bath with baking soda can help relax the anal sphincter in children
• Encourage gentle exercise
Warning Signs to Watch For: Seek help if any of the following occur:
For Infants
• Constipation lasting more than 24 hours, especially under 3 months
For Adults and Older Children
• New constipation lasting more than one week
• Rectal pain that lasts longer than a week
• Increased abdominal pain
• Increasing or persistent blood in stools
• Uncontrolled stool leakage
• Changes in stool size or shape (possible sign of bowel disease)
• Chronic constipation that is worsening
• Inability to have a bowel movement without laxatives
When to See a Doctor Immediately: Contact your healthcare provider if:
• Bleeding is more than light streaks
• Blood is dark red, brown, or black
• Blood is mixed with the stool
• Pain lasts longer than 30 minutes after a bowel movement
• Constipation comes with severe abdominal pain or bloating
• Stool leakage continues (possible encopresis)
• Constipation persists despite home treatment
Constipation: Causes, Symptoms, Prevention & Natural Remedies:
Constipation is a common digestive complaint affecting both adults and children. While it can be uncomfortable—and sometimes painful—most cases can be relieved with simple home treatment and lifestyle changes.
What Is Constipation?
Constipation refers to difficulty passing stool, often accompanied by:
• Hard, dry stools
• Straining or pain during bowel movements
• Cramping
• Occasional bright red streaks of blood on the stool (usually from small anal tears)
Many people worry that they should have a bowel movement every day, but this is a myth. A normal bowel habit ranges from three times a day to three times a week. If stools are soft and pass easily, you are not constipated.
Constipation in Babies and Children:
Just like adults, the frequency of bowel movements varies widely in children:
• Newborns may have several loose stools a day—or only once a week.
• Breastfed babies often have more frequent stools.
• As children grow, stool frequency decreases and stool size increases.
Straining does not always mean constipation in babies. If a child is passing soft, comfortable stools, there is usually no cause for concern. However, some children experience chronic constipation, where stool withholding becomes a cycle. This can lead to large, painful bowel movements and ongoing difficulty.
Causes of Constipation:
Constipation can be triggered by many everyday habits. Common causes include:
1. Low Fibre / Low Water Intake
A diet lacking in fruit, vegetables, and whole grains is a major contributor.
2. Withholding Stools
Especially common in children who:
• Don’t want to stop playing
• Fear unfamiliar toilets
• Feel stressed during toilet training
• Experience anxiety or oppositional behavior
3. Lifestyle Factors
• Travelling
• Lack of exercise
• Diet changes
• Eating too many processed foods
4. Medical Causes
Though less common, constipation may be linked to:
• Haemorrhoids or anal fissures
• Medication side effects
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Endocrine disorders (e.g., hypothyroidism)
• High calcium levels
• Neurological conditions (e.g., spinal cord issues, Hirschsprung’s disease)
• Chronic lead poisoning
• Overuse of laxatives
Symptoms of Constipation:
Constipation symptoms may include:
• Difficulty passing stool
• Cramping or rectal pain
• Bloating or nausea
• Reduced appetite
• Reduced interest in activities
• More frequent urination (pressure on the bladder)
• Stool leakage or soiling (encopresis in children)
• Alternating constipation and watery diarrhoea
• Bright red blood from small anal fissures
How to Prevent Constipation:
Preventing constipation is easier than treating it. These diet and lifestyle habits help keep stools soft and regular.
1. Diet for Healthy Bowel Movements
Eat High-Fibre Foods
Increase fibre slowly to avoid gas or discomfort.
Great fibre sources include:
• Whole grain cereals (3 g+ fibre per serving)
• Bran or unprocessed wheat bran
• Raw and cooked vegetables
• Fruits (apricots, pears, prunes, peaches, figs, raisins, dates)
• Whole grain crackers
• Nuts and seeds
• Popcorn
• Pulses (beans, lentils, peas)
Avoid high-fat, high-sugar, high-dairy diets, as these can worsen constipation.
Drink Plenty of Fluids
Fibre works best when paired with water.
• Aim for 1.5–2 litres of fluid daily
• Drink 2–4 extra glasses of water in the morning
• Prune juice is a helpful natural laxative
Drink hot water: Warm drinks can stimulate the digestive tract, especially first thing in the day. Before you have your morning coffee, try drinking a hot cup of water, you can also add a tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice to it.
For Babies and Young Children
• Breastfeeding protects against constipation
• Ensure formula is mixed correctly
• Offer a little extra water to infants
• From 6 months: prune, pear, grape, apple or cherry juice (small amounts)
• Limit excessive dairy intake in toddlers
2. Exercise
Movement helps stimulate the digestive system. Even a simple daily walking routine is effective.
3. Healthy Bathroom Habits
• Encourage relaxed toilet time, especially after meals (post-breakfast works well)
• Don’t ignore the urge to go
• Use a footstool to help children maintain a comfortable, natural position
Home Remedies for Constipation:
Most occasional constipation can be treated at home:
• Follow a high-fibre diet
• Drink more water
• Try bulking agents like psyllium or bran (with plenty of water)
• A warm bath with baking soda can help relax the anal sphincter in children
• Encourage gentle exercise
Warning Signs to Watch For: Seek help if any of the following occur:
For Infants
• Constipation lasting more than 24 hours, especially under 3 months
For Adults and Older Children
• New constipation lasting more than one week
• Rectal pain that lasts longer than a week
• Increased abdominal pain
• Increasing or persistent blood in stools
• Uncontrolled stool leakage
• Changes in stool size or shape (possible sign of bowel disease)
• Chronic constipation that is worsening
• Inability to have a bowel movement without laxatives
When to See a Doctor Immediately: Contact your healthcare provider if:
• Bleeding is more than light streaks
• Blood is dark red, brown, or black
• Blood is mixed with the stool
• Pain lasts longer than 30 minutes after a bowel movement
• Constipation comes with severe abdominal pain or bloating
• Stool leakage continues (possible encopresis)
• Constipation persists despite home treatment
