Constipation is an annoying, and often times painful condition for many people. The 3 main symptoms of constipation are abdominal bloating, an inability to pass stool comfortably, and infrequent bowel movements.

Constipation causes the abdomen to become bloated due to the build up of waste in the lower part of your intestine. Because the stool is not being released, it causes a build up of gases in the intestine as well. The combination of waste buildup and gasses is what causes the bloated feeling. Bloating can often times be accompanied by pain in the abdomen. The stomach will appear larger than normal, and persistent flatulence can occur.

Aside from bloating, constipation can also cause extreme difficulty when passing stool. When waste passes through the intestine, water is absorbed from it. When the movement is slower than normal, excessive amounts of water are absorbed. This causes the stool to become hardened, and passing the stool very difficult. Because of such difficulty, individuals may voluntarily hold off moving their bowels. Doing this actually makes the situation worse. This is not recommended because the intestine will continue to absorb water from the waste, and the stool then hardens even further.

Infrequent bowel movement is another sign that constipation may exist. Daily bowel movements are not necessary, however, an individual who has less than 3 bowel movements a week is considered constipated. There are many factors that may contribute to the lack of bowel movement. These can include lack of fiber in your diet, lack of liquid intake, or side affects from various types of medications.