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Constipation in adults: the signs, when to see a doctor, what helps, and laxatives
For adults with hard stools, few bowel movements, straining, a laxative they can’t stop taking, or constipation that started with a new medicine, a move, travel or a shelter. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK, part of the NIH) says constipation is common at every age, is not a disease but may be a symptom of another problem, and can usually be prevented or relieved. This page passes on, by name, what NIDDK says: the signs and when to see a doctor right away, what can cause it, fiber, liquids, moving and a routine, the kinds of laxative, and the tests. It builds the words to say to a clinic or a pharmacist, and prints a card to track two weeks.
Right now
- Severe belly pain with a hard or swollen belly and vomiting, a lot of blood from the rectum, or fainting: call 911 or go to an emergency room (ours).
- Constipation with bleeding from the rectum, blood in the stool, constant belly pain, no gas passing, vomiting, fever, lower back pain, or weight loss without trying? NIDDK says see a doctor right away. Call a clinic or a nurse line today.
- A baby or a child? See Constipation in a baby or child.
More help
- Other belly troubles: Constipation in a baby or child · Heartburn and acid reflux · Food poisoning and stomach bugs · Vomiting and diarrhea in children.
- What can be part of it: When pain doesn’t go away · Diabetes · Parkinson’s disease · Pregnant, or with a new baby · Help as you get older.
- Care and medicines: When you need a doctor and can’t pay · When you can’t afford your medicine · My medicines list · Symptom diary · Get ready for your appointment.
- In a crisis: Help right now (988, 911). All our free tools.
An upset stomach, and not sure this is the right page? The pages on this site for throwing up, diarrhea, heartburn and constipation, on one list.
This page and its wording were written with AI (Claude) for Scarlet Beast (our AI policy). No doctor or nurse has reviewed it. The facts were read on October 15, 2026 on NIDDK’s Constipation pages (NIH): the overview, Definition & Facts, Symptoms & Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment and Eating, Diet, & Nutrition (last reviewed May 2018). Ours: calling 911 or going to an emergency room for severe belly pain with a hard or swollen belly and vomiting, a lot of blood from the rectum, or fainting; calling a clinic the same day for the signs NIDDK says need a doctor right away; telling the provider who looks after a pregnancy before taking a laxative; asking a pharmacist; the notes for shelters and shared bathrooms; and the order of the steps. What we left out: NIDDK’s pages about children (see our own page for that), the names of laxatives, prescription medicines and products (NIDDK names some; ask a pharmacist), doses, and clinical pages for providers. This page saves nothing and loads no trackers.