In medicine, constipation means too low a frequency of bowel movements or hard stools that are passed with effort, accompanied by a feeling of incomplete bowel movement. The frequency of bowel movements with constipation is an average of three per week. A normal bowel movement should be daily or every other day. Constipation is more common in women than in men.

The incidence increases with age. In medicine, two types of constipation are distinguished: atonic and spastic. Atonic constipation is caused by slowed intestinal peristalsis, while spastic constipation causes excessive intestinal contractions that prevent bowel movement.

Constipation can be diagnosed quite easily on its own. The symptoms that accompany constipation are: abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea and flatulence, bleeding during (or after) a bowel movement, burning of the anus during a bowel movement.

When we are not sure, we can go to the doctor for a diagnosis. To do this, the doctor will perform tests such as a rectal examination (performed with the finger), a contrast study of the colon, tests with a speculum (colonoscopy, rectoscopy) and laboratory tests (morphology).

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The most common causes of constipation are:

• Dietary factors: insufficient fibre intake, insufficient fluid intake, too few meals
• Low physical activity , immobilisation
• Medication (including dietary supplements: iron, calcium)
• Diseases: diabetes mellitus, colorectal cancer, hypothyroidism, hypercalcaemia, hypomagnesaemia, uraemia, heart disease
• Psychiatric factors: depression, anxiety, dementia
• Heavy metal poisoning

In pregnant women, the hormones progesterone, secretin, glucagon, which slow down intestinal peristalsis, are responsible for the cause of constipation.