Constipation is a symptom, not a disease. Like a fever, constipation can be caused by many different conditions. Most people have experienced an occasional brief bout of constipation that has corrected itself with diet and time. The following is a list of some of the most common causes of constipation:

• Aging
• Anal fissures
• Body tissue diseases
• Colonic motility disorders
• Dehydration
• Diet (lack of fiber)
• Fissures
• Hemorrhoids
• Hormonal disturbances
• Imagined Constipation
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
• Lack of physical activity
• Laxative abuse
• Loss of body salts
• Mechanical compression
• Milk
• Muscular diseases
• Nerve damage
• Neurological diseases
• Medications
• Poor bowel habits (ignoring the urge to have a bowel movement)
• Problems with the colon and rectum
• Problems with intestinal function
• Pregnancy
• Stroke
• Travel

Constipation means different things to different people. To learn more about the common characteristics of constipation and to know whether or not you are experiencing healthy bowel movements, read on. The next section, Symptoms of Constipation, informs about the signs and symptoms of unhealthy bowel movements and when you should seek help.