Can You Die From Constipation

Contents

“See a gastroenterologist to figure out if everything is OK. And if you have not had a colonoscopy, and you’re over 50, it’s time to schedule one.”

When Does Constipation Become an Emergency?

Constipation is when you have three or fewer bowel movements a week, or stools that are difficult to pass.

changes in diet or routine
not eating enough fiber
dehydration
certain medical conditions (such as diabetes, lupus, hypothyroidism)
certain medications (such as opioids, diuretics, calcium channel blockers)
not enough physical exercise
gastrointestinal disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

According to the American College of Gastroenterology, each year in the United States, people spend hundreds of millions of dollars on laxatives, and go to approximately 2.5 million constipation-related doctor visits.

Constipation and emergencies

Constipation is commonly a short-term problem that can be resolved with self-care. However, sometimes it requires emergency medical treatment.

The following symptoms, combined with constipation, require emergency medical assistance:

intense and/or constant abdominal pain
vomiting
bloating
blood in your stool

If you’re constipated, experiencing some abdominal pain is common. Often, it’s just the result of needing to have a bowel movement, or a buildup of gas.

Intense, constant abdominal pain, however, could be an indication of a more serious condition that demands immediate medical attention. These include:

perforated intestine or stomach
intestinal obstruction
appendicitis
pancreatitis
mesenteric ischemia (blockage of blood flow to the intestine)

If you’re constipated and vomiting, it might be a sign of fecal impaction. Fecal impaction occurs when a large, hard mass of stool gets stuck in the colon and can’t be pushed out. This is an extremely dangerous situation and requires immediate medical attention.

Painful stomach bloating might be a sign of a serious bowel obstruction This condition requires urgent medical treatment. Stomach bloating can also be caused by

IBS
gastroparesis
small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)

If, following wiping, you see small amounts of bright red blood on the toilet paper, it’s likely due to a scratch in the rectal area or hemorrhoids. Generally, these are relatively easy conditions to treat and not a cause of great concern.

However, if you notice more than a few bright red streaks on the toilet paper or on the stool itself, or you have black, tarry stools, call your doctor.

Among other conditions, blood in your stool could indicate:

anal fissures
peptic ulcers
Crohn’s disease
cancer such as colon cancer or anal cancer

How we reviewed this article:

Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Bloating: Causes and prevention tips. (n.d.).
hopkinsmedicine.org/health/healthy-woman/conditions/bloating-causes-and-prevention-tips
Constipation. (2015).
my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4059-constipation
Constipation and defecation problems. (2010).
patients.gi.org/topics/constipation-and-defection-problems/
Constipation and impaction. (2016).
health.harvard.edu/a-to-z/constipation-and-impaction-a-to-z
Gastrointestinal bleeding or blood in the stool. (n.d.).
hopkinsmedicine.org/healthlibrary/conditions/adult/pediatrics/gastrointestinal_bleeding_22,GastrointestinalBleeding
Greenberger NJ. (2018). Acute abdominal pain.
merckmanuals.com/home/digestive-disorders/symptoms-of-digestive-disorders/acute-abdominal-pain
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2018). Constipation.
mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/constipation/symptoms-causes/syc-20354253
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2015). Constipation is often a preventable emergency.
newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/constipation-is-often-a-preventable-emergency-4215/
Stool changes: What do they mean? When should I see a doctor? (2012).
my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/9663-stool-changes-what-do-they-mean-when-should-i-see-a-doctor
Symptoms and causes of constipation. (2018).
niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/constipation/symptoms-causes

How to Know When Constipation Is an Emergency

Bloated bellies don’t lie. It’s been a few days since your last bowel movement — and things are starting to feel … well, backed up.

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy

It’s normal to be constipated every once in a while, but when is constipation sounding the alarm for a bigger problem? Colorectal surgeon Massarat Zutshi, MD, gives us the 411 on No. 2.

Q: What causes constipation?

A: Constipation happens when your bowel movements occur less often or cause more strain than usual. Dr. Zutshi says there are three kinds of constipation:

Normal transit constipation.
Slow transit constipation.
Outlet defecation syndrome or ODS, a type of chronic constipation involving hard stool and an inability to pass stool that occurs at least once a week for six months.

Normal transit and slow transit constipation are both considered motility disturbances. And to understand motility, look no further than the morning commute.

Motility is how well the roads — or in this case, the muscles in your gastrointestinal (GI) tract — are moving.

Normal transit is like driving the speed limit until some roadwork at your exit derails your expected arrival time. Stool moves through your GI system normally, but a problem such as hard stool makes it difficult to pass.
Slow transit is bumper-to-bumper traffic the whole way through. The muscles in your GI system contract slowly, causing the stool to take a long time to get to its final destination. You go less often, with more straining and harder stool.

And just like there are many causes for snarled roadways, there are different reasons your inner streets are backing up, such as a lack of:

You have less control over these other constipation causes:

Medical conditions, including diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or even a spinal cord injury.
Medications such as antidepressants or herbal supplements.
Being pregnant.
Stress.

Q: So how do I know if I am constipated? What’s normal?

A: While the nursery school book “Everyone Poops” still rings true, how often they do so is another story.

“There’s no real normal. Men are different from women. Age changes things. Pregnancy changes things,” adds Dr. Zutshi. “As long as you have a bowel movement that occurs regularly — not too few in a week — and has a regular consistency, you’re fine.”

But what’s “not too few,” you ask? “Constipation is defined as less than three in a week.” Uh-oh. So now what?

Q: How long is too long to be constipated?

A: Dr. Zutshi explains: It depends if you’re regularly regular or not.

“People who have constipation frequently know what to do when it strikes. They’ll try home remedies during the two or three weeks they don’t have a bowel movement. And then if nothing works, they see a doctor,” says Dr. Zutshi.

But if you’re someone who doesn’t usually experience constipation, see a doctor sooner. Dr. Zutshi recommends making an appointment if constipation lasts longer than a week.

Q: Is constipation ever an emergency?

A: It can be, but most often is not.

“It would be an emergency if you hadn’t had a bowel movement for a prolonged time, and you’re also experiencing major bloating or severe abdominal pain,” notes Dr. Zutshi.

Slight symptoms will not take you to the emergency room. You should go to the emergency room if your symptoms are severe.

Other warning signs to watch for are:

Vomiting.
Blood in your stool.
Unexplained weight loss.

Q: How can I prevent or get rid of constipation?

A: Dr. Zutshi emphasizes the big three: Water first. Fiber next. Exercise third.

Water: Drink a lot. Juices, water, tea and coffee count toward your water intake. People who have normal bowel movements should aim for at least 64 to 80 ounces (eight to 10 glasses) of water daily. Those who tend to be constipated should drink more.
Fiber: If you can’t get enough fiber from food, talk to your doctor about a supplement. Good supplements to try include Metamucil®, Citrucel® or Benefiber®.
Exercise: Increasing your exercise can be as simple as walking more. You don’t need to be a hardcore athlete.

If you think you’re having issues with constipation, Dr. Zutshi advises you to be proactive.

“See a gastroenterologist to figure out if everything is OK. And if you have not had a colonoscopy, and you’re over 50, it’s time to schedule one.”

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy

About Us

Family Medicine

In 2024 our team of doctors and nurses provide a comprehensive range of family planning services. Our doctors have expertise in antenatal care, preconception planning, and STD checks. Contraceptive advice including Mirena and Implanon insertion is available.

Early detection of illness;

Family planning;

Promotion of healthy lifestyle;

Skin cancer checks;

Sports injuries;

Weight reduction;

Workers compensation and third party.

Children's Health

Baby Weighing Service. Babies can be booked with our Nurse for weighing, a doctors appointment is not required to use this service. Contact reception for a appointment to have your baby weighed.

Immunisations. At Tuggeranong Square children's immunisation is regarded an important part of your childs health care. Our doctors take immunising children very seriously. and to ensure all children are immunised Tuggeranong Square Medical Practice doctors BULK BILL for all childhood immunisations. Tuggeranong Square Medical Practice also ensures the Practice Nursing Staff are highly trained in childhood immunisations.

Women's Health

Our practice is dedicated to treating a wide spectrum of women’s health concerns. We offer pre-natal, antenatal and postnatal care, contraceptive options, pap screening, and preventative health care advice. We provide assistance, advice and support through all stages of life, recognising the many issues many women may face from adolescence through to the peri and post-menopausal period.

Cervical Screening tests;

Reproductive health. Including Mirena and Implanon insertion;

Shared antenatal care.

Men's Health

We encourage men to present routinely to their GP to discuss all aspects of their health. We provide comprehensive advice and support for men to address the prevention and management of various health conditions. This may include assessments for cardiovascular risk, diabetes, cancer prevention, mental health assessments, STD screening, sports injuries and the importance of sleep as it relates to other areas of health.

Preventative Healthcare. Including cardiovascular screening, mental health and cancer checks;

Prostate examination.

Can You Die From Constipation