Constipation can be a result of dehydration, a side effect of a prescription medication, or a part of an underlying medical condition, says Ken Perry, MD, FACEP, an emergency physician in Charleston, South Carolina. “Problems with evacuating stool, although usually a problem of material making it through the GI tract,” he adds, “can be from a problem in the muscles of the pelvic floor or the rectum.” It may also be as a result of imbalanced gut bacteria, and a diet low in fiber.
An increase in stress, a change in routine, dietary issues, or sedentary lifestyle are all additional culprits of constipation, according to Elisa Song, MD, a holistic pediatrician and pediatric functional medicine expert. “Physical activity, especially getting those legs pumping, is very important to get your bowels moving,” she adds.