What is Chronic Constipation?
Constipation is a common condition that affects people of all ages. It can mean that you’re not passing stools regularly or you’re unable to completely empty your bowel.4
Chronic constipation is a complicated condition among older people, which is notable by difficult stool passage. In this regard, chronic constipation is closely linked with and can impact quality of life. Various factors are involved in the development of chronic constipation.8
Causes
The most common causes of constipation include:1
Not eating enough fibre, which is found in fruits, vegetables and cereals
Not drinking enough fluids
Not moving enough and spending long periods sitting or lying down
Being less active and not exercising
Often ignoring the urge to go to the toilet
Changing your diet or daily routine
A side effect of medicine
Stress, anxiety or depression
Symptoms6
You may have chronic constipation if you have had two or more of the above symptoms for at least 3 months.7
Long-term constipation can lead to faecal impaction. This is where poo has built up in the last part of the large intestine (rectum).1
