Learn about Constipation in adults symptoms from Consumer Reports Health.

Constipation in adults

What are the symptoms of constipation in adults?

If you're constipated, you have difficulty passing a stool. And you may not pass a stool very often.

It's hard to say exactly when someone is constipated. People's bowel habits vary a lot. And people have different ideas about what's normal.

Many people get short bouts of constipation from time to time. But some people have constipation that doesn't go away. Doctors call this chronic constipation.

You may have chronic constipation if you have two or more of these symptoms for at least 12 weeks in a year:

Source:
Thompson WG, Longstreth GF, Drossman DA, et al.
Functional bowel disorders and functional abdominal pain.
Gut. 1999; 45: 43-47.

You strain to pass a stool at least a quarter of the time.
You pass stools that are lumpy or hard at least a quarter of the time.
You feel your bowels aren't completely empty after going to the bathroom at least a quarter of the time.
You have three or fewer bowel movements a week.

You might also have discomfort or pain in your abdomen.

Sources for the information on this page:

Thompson WG, Longstreth GF, Drossman DA, et al.Functional bowel disorders and functional abdominal pain.Gut. 1999; 45: 43-47.

This information was last updated on Jan 07, 2009

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