Why have I been constipated my entire life?

Poor diet and lack of physical activity are the most common causes of constipation, so it's a good idea to rule these out first before looking into other causes. Here are some diet- and lifestyle-related factors that can make you constipated: a diet heavy in meat and dairy products.

healthline.com - 8 Causes of Chronic Constipation You May Be Missing - Healthline

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Wouldn’t it be easy if you could blame your chronic constipation on one thing? While that typically isn’t the case, your irregularity could be pointing to either one or multiple causes. Read on to learn what your gut may be trying to tell you, and what you can do about it. Make a few changes to your lifestyle and see if they result in any positive bowel changes. For example:

Here are some diet- and lifestyle-related factors that can make you constipated:

If you’re constipated, your gut might simply be in sharp disagreement with your lifestyle. Poor diet and lack of physical activity are the most common causes of constipation, so it’s a good idea to rule these out first before looking into other causes. Perhaps you’ve made changes to your diet and lifestyle and still aren’t getting any relief. At this point, it may be a good idea to visit your doctor to see if your gut symptoms are a result of something else going on in your body. While having chronic constipation doesn’t necessarily mean you also have one of these conditions, it may be a good idea to have some additional diagnostic tests just to check. This is especially true if you’re having other symptoms like fatigue, hair loss, abdominal cramping, weight changes, or vision problems.

Chronic constipation could be a sign of the following conditions:

Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)

When your thyroid, a small gland near at the front of your neck, fails to produce enough hormones, it can have a drastic impact on your metabolism. A sluggish metabolism results in a slowdown of the entire digestive process, which leads to constipation. The symptoms of hypothyroidism usually develop slowly over time. Aside from constipation, if you have an underactive thyroid, you may also experience:

fatigue

increased sensitivity to cold

dry skin

weight gain

irregular menstrual periods if you’re a woman

thinning hair

brittle fingernails

impaired memory

a puffy face

A blood test known as a thyroid function test can help assess the function of your thyroid. If you’re found to have hypothyroidism, your doctor will likely have to run more tests. Hypothyroidism can be caused by other conditions, including:

an autoimmune disease known as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis

radiation therapy

congenital diseases

pituitary disorders

pregnancy

iodine deficiency

certain medications, such as lithium

cancer

thyroid surgery

Hypothyroidism can be successfully treated with a synthetic thyroid hormone called levothyroxine (Levothroid, Unithroid).

Diabetes

Like hypothyroidism, diabetes is also a hormonal problem. In diabetes, your body stops producing enough of the hormone insulin so your body can no longer break down sugar in your blood. The high blood sugar levels seen in type 1 and 2 diabetes can lead to diabetic neuropathy, or nerve damage. According to the Mayo Clinic, damage to the nerves controlling the digestive tract can lead to constipation.

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It’s imperative for diabetes to be diagnosed as early as possible. Diabetes symptoms will get worse if not treated. Along with constipation, look out for other symptoms including:

being thirsty all the time

frequent urination, particularly at night

fatigue

weight loss

blurred vision

Irritable bowel syndrome

Constipation can be a result of a bowel disease known as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The exact cause of IBS is not well understood, but it’s thought to be a result of problems with the way your brain and gut interact with each other. A diagnosis of IBS can be made by assessing your symptoms. Aside from constipation, other symptoms of IBS include:

abdominal pain and cramping

bloating

excessive flatulence

occasional urgent diarrhea

passing mucus

Anxiety

When you’re anxious or stressed out, your body goes into “flight or fight” mode. Your sympathetic nervous system becomes active, which means your digestion gets put on hold.

excessive worry

restlessness

insomnia

irritability

difficulty concentrating

Anxiety can be treated with medications and psychological counseling or therapy.

Depression

Depression can cause constipation for a variety of reasons. People who are depressed might stay in bed all day and have decreased physical activity. They might also change their diet, eat a lot of foods high in sugar or fat, or not eat much at all. Such lifestyle and diet changes can likely lead to constipation. Medications and psychological counseling are very effective for people with depression. Symptoms of depression include:

feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, or despair

suicidal thoughts

angry outbursts

loss of interest in pleasurable activities

trouble concentrating

fatigue

reduced appetite

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, consider talking to a therapist. Once your psychological problems are addressed, your gut will respond.

Other conditions

In some cases, constipation symptoms can be a sign of a more serious problem. For example, problems with your brain or nervous system can affect the nerves that cause muscles in your intestines to contract and move stool. Alternatively, something blocking your bowel, like a tumor, can also lead to constipation. In most of these conditions, constipation is usually not the only symptom. Other conditions that could cause constipation include:

healthline.com - 8 Causes of Chronic Constipation You May Be Missing - Healthline

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