Also described as: “Kabz, dast, pet saaf na hona”
Common symptoms
- Fewer than three bowel movements a week
- Hard stools, straining or incomplete emptying
- Loose or watery stools for more than 2–4 weeks
- Urgency or accidents
See a doctor promptly if
- Blood in stool
- Weight loss
- Recent change in bowel habit after age 45–50
- Night-time diarrhoea
- Anaemia
Chronic constipation
Common causes include low fibre and fluid intake, inactivity, some medicines, thyroid problems and diabetes. In some people the problem is coordination of the pelvic floor muscles during a bowel movement (dyssynergic defecation), which is diagnosed with anorectal manometry and treated with biofeedback therapy.
Chronic diarrhoea
Diarrhoea lasting more than four weeks needs a cause to be found — infections, IBS, lactose intolerance, coeliac disease, thyroid problems, medicines, and inflammatory bowel disease are among the possibilities. Stool tests, blood tests and sometimes a colonoscopy help.
Treatment
Treatment is aimed at the cause: diet and fluid changes, appropriate laxatives or anti-diarrhoeal medicines, biofeedback for pelvic floor problems, and specific therapy for conditions like IBD or coeliac disease.
How we can help
Frequently asked questions
Medically reviewed by Dr. Shivam Kalia MBBS, MD (Medicine), DM (Gastroenterology) · Consultant Gastroenterologist & Hepatologist