Peoria Standard

Many people experience constipation, a common condition that can cause discomfort and difficulty with bowel movements. According to Breanne Gendron, a nurse practitioner with OSF HealthCare, constipation is generally defined as having three or fewer bowel movements per week.

“Constipation is usually defined by discomfort in their abdomen because they haven't been going to the bathroom and having bowel movements as often as they should,” Gendron said. “Some people have bowel movements every day. Some people have bowel movements every third day, and that's their normal.”

Constipation can be temporary or chronic. Causes include dietary habits, certain medications like painkillers, calcium supplements, and some antidepressants. Opioid medications are known to slow down movement in the intestines and increase water absorption, making stool harder to pass.

Other factors such as travel, stress, lack of exercise, dehydration, and changes in routine may also contribute to irregularity. “The most common cause of constipation is dehydration, lack of activity and not enough fiber in your diet,” Gendron explained. She noted that fiber helps add bulk to stools but emphasized the importance of adequate hydration: “It’s easy to add fiber powder to your coffee in the morning. But when you have fiber without hydration that can cause issues; so it's about making sure that you're getting 40 to 60 ounces of water every day.”

Non-dietary causes like structural changes (such as tumors or hemorrhoids) and psychological factors including stress or anxiety may also play a role.

Constipation affects all age groups but is particularly prevalent among older adults due to a slowing digestive tract. “I can say 30 to 40% of people over the age of 65 have constipation issues,” Gendron said. “So it is a common thing that older people deal with. As we age, we have to have a plan. That means getting more active, drinking more water, eating fiber or adding a fiber supplement to their life.”

Children between ages five and twelve may also complain of stomach pain linked to irregularity.

To address constipation, Gendron recommends lifestyle changes such as increasing dietary fiber intake (aiming for 25-30 grams per day), consuming foods like beans, leafy vegetables, oatmeal, nuts, berries and apples; staying hydrated; exercising at least 30 minutes daily; establishing regular bathroom routines; and not delaying the urge to go.

If these measures do not help, medical evaluation may be necessary. “I usually recommend some combination of over-the-counter options,” said Gendron. “MiraLAX is safe because it's not absorbed systemically. It just pulls fluid into your bowels and helps things move along.”

Chronic constipation—lasting three weeks or longer—can sometimes lead individuals to seek emergency care due to prolonged discomfort.

Gendron advises seeking medical attention if symptoms persist despite self-care efforts or if there are warning signs such as blood in stool, fever or vomiting.

For further information on gastrointestinal health concerns including constipation visit the OSF HealthCare website.