Common Bowel Problems

Bowel problems vary widely, but most fall into a few recognisable groups. Understanding these helps people and carers spot when symptoms are typical and when they require medical attention.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

IBS is a long-term condition affecting the gut’s function rather than its structure. People often describe cycles of abdominal cramping, bloating, and irregular bowel habits. Some experience constipation, some diarrhoea, and others alternate between the two. Although IBS can be uncomfortable and disruptive, it doesn’t damage the bowel, and many people learn effective ways to manage their triggers.

Constipation

Constipation develops when stool moves more slowly through the bowel or loses too much water along the way. A person may pass stools less frequently than usual or find that stools become hard, dry, or difficult to pass. Constipation can last a short time or become a regular pattern, especially in older adults or people with long-term health conditions.

Faecal Impaction

Faecal impaction is a more severe form of constipation. Here, stool becomes firmly lodged in the rectum and cannot be passed naturally. People often still feel the need to go, yet nothing comes out except small amounts of liquid stool leaking around the blockage — a sign sometimes known as overflow diarrhoea. Impaction requires prompt medical support to clear safely.

Bowel Incontinence

Bowel incontinence occurs when a person finds it difficult to control bowel movements. Leakage can be occasional or more consistent and may be related to other bowel problems, weakened pelvic floor muscles, neurological conditions, or severe constipation.
For more tailored guidance, especially for caregivers, see our article on bowel incontinence in the elderly.

What Causes Constipation?

Constipation has many possible causes. For most people, it develops gradually and is influenced by several day-to-day factors.

Lifestyle Factors

Lifestyle habits strongly affect bowel regularity. A diet low in fibre makes stool more difficult to move through the bowel. Not drinking enough fluids causes the body to reabsorb water from stool, making it harder and lumpier. Long periods of inactivity or bed rest slow the bowel’s natural movement, and regularly ignoring the urge to go can cause the rectum to stretch over time, weakening the signal. Travel, disrupted routines, and emotional stress can also contribute to a temporary slowdown.

Lifestyle factors include:

• Low fibre intake

• Low fluid intake

• Inactivity or prolonged bed rest

• Ignoring bowel movement urges

• Stress, travel, or disrupted routines
  

Medications

Certain medications can slow bowel movement as a side effect. These include opioid pain medicines, some antidepressants, medications with anticholinergic effects, iron supplements, and calcium- or aluminium-based antacids. Not everyone experiences symptoms, but for those who do, constipation often improves with adjustments to diet, hydration, or medical review.

Medical Conditions

Constipation is also linked to a range of health conditions. IBS can alter bowel patterns, diabetes may affect nerve control of the gut, and an underactive thyroid can slow metabolism. Pelvic floor dysfunction makes it harder for the muscles to coordinate during a bowel movement, and neurological conditions may reduce sensation or muscle activity. Recovery after surgery can temporarily affect the bowel, too.

Constipation is one of the most common digestive symptoms in adults and becomes increasingly frequent with age.

What Are the Symptoms of Constipation?

Constipation presents differently for each person, but several symptoms are widely recognised:

• Hard, dry, or lumpy stools

• Straining during bowel movements

• Fewer than three bowel movements per week

• A sensation of incomplete emptying

• Bloating or abdominal discomfort

• Pain when passing stool
  
  

If you pass liquid stool but still feel blocked, this may be overflow diarrhoea — a possible sign of faecal impaction.

What Are the Risk Factors for Constipation?

Older adults are more likely to develop constipation because bowel movement tends to slow with age, and mobility may be reduced. Diet and daily fluid intake have a major influence, and people taking medications known to cause constipation are also at higher risk.

Constipation is especially common during pregnancy or shortly after childbirth due to hormonal changes and pelvic floor strain. Long-term health conditions, including neurological conditions and diabetes, can also affect gut function.

For people who rely on carers, limited mobility, communication challenges, and dependence on others for toileting can all increase the likelihood of constipation.

Can Constipation Cause Other Health Problems?

Mild constipation usually isn’t harmful, but ongoing or untreated constipation can cause:

• Haemorrhoids

• Anal fissures

• Faecal impaction

• Increased strain on the pelvic floor

• Rare serious complications if ignored
  

Constipation can also contribute to leakage or soiling, particularly in older adults. If this is a concern, see our guidance on bowel incontinence in the elderly.

Can Constipation Cause Toxins to Build Up?

A common concern is that constipation allows harmful toxins to accumulate in the body. The simple answer is no — the body has effective systems to manage waste and protect you, even when bowel movements are less frequent.

Constipation can cause discomfort, bloating, nausea, and, in severe cases, faecal impaction. These symptoms can be unpleasant, but they do not indicate poisoning by a toxin.

How Do You Relieve Constipation?

Most people can ease constipation with practical steps, though severe or long-lasting constipation may require medical treatment.

At-Home Measures

Small changes often make a noticeable difference. Drinking more water softens stool and helps it move through the bowel more easily. Increasing fibre gradually through fruit, vegetables, beans, or wholegrains supports stool formation and regularity. Gentle physical activity, even short walks, can stimulate bowel movements, while establishing a regular toilet routine can help your body relearn natural signals. Many people also find a footstool useful when sitting on the toilet, as it straightens the anorectal angle and reduces straining.

Pharmacy Remedies

If lifestyle adjustments don’t help, pharmacy-based options can support bowel movement.
Common choices include:

• Bulk-forming laxatives, which add softness and bulk to stool

• Osmotic laxatives, which draw water into the bowel

• Stimulant laxatives, which encourage bowel movement

• Stool softeners, which make stool easier to pass

A pharmacist can offer guidance on the most suitable type and the appropriate duration of use.

Prescription Medicines

When constipation is long-standing, severe, or linked to other conditions such as IBS-C, healthcare professionals may prescribe stronger or combination treatments. These are usually recommended when over-the-counter options are ineffective or when more targeted treatment is necessary.

How Can Constipation Be Prevented?

Preventing constipation often involves building simple habits into daily life. Eating a diet rich in fibre, drinking enough fluids, and staying physically active all support the bowel’s natural movement. Responding promptly to the urge to have a bowel movement helps maintain a healthy rectal signal, and many people find that keeping a consistent routine — especially after meals — reduces irregularity. Managing stress and maintaining regular eating patterns can also prevent IBS-related constipation.

For people with long-term bowel concerns, supportive products can help maintain comfort and dignity.Bowel incontinence products may offer reassurance, especially during episodes of urgency, leakage, or irregular bowel patterns.

When Should I See a Healthcare Provider?

Seek medical advice if constipation is severe or long-lasting, or if you notice blood in your stool, sudden or unexplained changes in bowel habits, or significant abdominal pain. Vomiting, fever, or an inability to pass stool may suggest impaction or another condition requiring urgent care.
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If you’re concerned about new or unusual bowel leakage during constipation, see our guidance: Is bowel leakage a sign of cancer?

Faecal Impaction vs Constipation

Constipation and faecal impaction are related but very different. Constipation involves infrequent or difficult bowel movements, while impaction occurs when stool becomes so hard and lodged that it cannot be passed without help. People with impaction may still pass small amounts of liquid stool, which leaks around the blockage and can be mistaken for diarrhoea.

Impaction can take several days to resolve, depending on treatment and the person’s health.
If you’re unsure whether the blockage is clearing, see: how do you know when faecal impaction has cleared.

Passing liquid stool while still feeling blocked may indicate faecal impaction rather than simple constipation.

Impaction is more common in older adults, especially those with mobility challenges or health conditions. More guidance is available on bowel incontinence in the elderly.

Support for Ongoing Bowel Problems

If constipation, impaction, or ongoing leakage is affecting daily comfort or independence, supportive products can help maintain dignity and hygiene. Bowel incontinence products provide protection during irregular bowel habits and offer reassurance during recovery or long-term conditions.

Bowel issues can feel overwhelming, but with the right knowledge and support — for yourself or the person you care for — they can be managed safely and confidently.

FAQs

What are the signs of bowel problems?

They often show changes from your normal pattern; new urgency, unexpected leakage, or discomfort that doesn’t settle within a few days.

Can constipation cause nausea?

Yes. A backed-up bowel can create pressure in the digestive tract, which may trigger queasiness or a reduced appetite.

When to see a doctor about bowel movements?

If symptoms last more than a couple of weeks, worsen suddenly, or affect eating, sleep, or daily activities, it’s best to get medical advice.

What are abnormal bowel movements?

Anything that significantly differs from your usual routine, such as unexpected changes in frequency, appearance, or ease of passing stool.