Why am I constipated?

In a constipated colon, the normal muscle action fails to work properly: the peristaltic motion stops temporarily, or works very slowly. There are a number of possible causes for this problem. Some causes are related to age and gender. To learn more about this topic, please refer to Constipation, Gender and Age section. Here are some of the most common causes of constipation:

Causes of constipation

Constipation can be caused by:

Physical Factors

Advancing age and physical inactivity

Hormonal changes during pregnancy and menopause

A major lack of exercise, particularly in older people/seniors

Severe dehydration

Psychological Factors

Stress or worry; ignoring the urge to go to the toilet

Illness

Some medications, such as pain-killers, antacids, antidepressants and blood-pressure medicine

Some illnesses, such as hypothyroidism, (a condition where thyroid glands are 'underactive' and do not produce enough thyroid hormones) diabetes, Parkinson's disease and other neurological diseases.

Read more about Constipation, Gender and Age.