Chronic Idiopathic Constipation

Chronic idiopathic constipation is a condition where your symptoms of constipation have lasted for more than three months

but there is no known cause.

How is a chronic idiopathic constipation diagnosed and treated?



If you have constipation, you’ll usually have symptoms including:

- straining or feeling pain when you poo
- passing large, hard, dry or lumpy poos
- pooing no more than 3 times a week
- tummy pain
- feeling bloated or sick

## How is a chronic idiopathic constipation diagnosed and treated?

[Constipation](/health-library/conditions/constipation) can be treated by making lifestyle and dietary changes like doing more exercise, drinking plenty of fluids every day and eating more high-fibre foods, like wheat bran and oats.

Making sure you go to the toilet at the same time and place each day can also help. Don’t make yourself wait when you need to poo, and try to give yourself enough time to use the toilet.

Using a low stool when pooing can make things easier by raising your knees above your hips.

Medicines that can help you poo more easily (laxatives) may also help, but these should only be taken for a short time. Speak to a doctor or pharmacist for advice on the best laxatives for your symptoms and how to safely take them.

In some cases, a doctor may give you some tests to try and find out if you have a medical condition that’s making you constipated.

These tests may include:

- blood tests
- imaging tests, like a [barium enema](/health-library/medical-exams/barium-enema)


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References

Dr Lauretta Ihonor

Dr Ann Nainan

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Chronic idiopathic constipation is when someone has constipation for more than 3 months, with no obvious cause. Find out the causes and how to get rid of constipation.