Go to page content
Health Village's hubsMy pathHealthVillagePRO
To the Healthvillage.fi home page
SuomeksiPå svenska
EmergencyhubWhen to come to the emergency department?Self-care instructionsConstipation

Constipation

​Constipation refers to bowel not emptying normally.  Lifestyle may cause constipation. Constipation seldom requires hospital treatment and you can relieve the condition at home. Usually, a healthy person empties their bowel every 8–72 hours. If you don’t need to go at least three times a week or you need to strain most times because your stools are too hard, you are considered constipated.The most common reasons for constipation include the following:

  • lack of exercise

  • insufficient intake of fluids and fibre

  • certain medicines and certain diseases

  • functional disorders of the bowel.

​The main treatment in constipation is a change of lifestyle and diet. Medication and other procedures are always a secondary form of treatment.

  • Eating enough fibre and drinking enough fluids is the key.

  • Regular exercise and regular defecation promote the healthy bowel movement and prevent constipation.

  • Sudden, temporary constipation can be relieved by taking laxatives for a few days to speed up bowel movement.

  • Longer-term constipation is best treated with medication that adds bulk to the stool.

  • If your constipation is very persistent, you may take medication that increases the amount of liquid in the large intestine; this, however, is for temporary use only.  Pharmacy staff will help you select the right product, if necessary. Follow the product instructions for use carefully.

​You should seek medical advice, if

  • ​you have constipation and blood in your stools, you are constantly tired, lose weight or have strange abdominal pain 

  • your symptoms include abdominal pain or pain when passing stools 

  • constipation persists despite self-care and affects your daily life

  • ​bowel movement, which has been regular for years, becomes irregular in a couple of weeks.

The emergency care professionals have produced instructions in collaboration with the Duodecim Terveyskirjasto

Healthvillage.fi

Downloadable files

Related to topic

Updated 22.8.2025