What’s going on if I haven’t had a bowel movement for several days?

Not having a bowel movement for several days is actually a very common problem in life. Some are caused by constipation, while others may be caused by systemic diseases, such as depression, hypothyroidism, or organic intestinal diseases.

1. Systemic lesions

Depression, hypothyroidism, autonomic nervous system dysfunction, etc. can also cause constipation symptoms.

2. Side Effects of Drugs

Bismuth preparations, antidepressants, ganglionic blockers, anticholine drugs, opioid drugs, and preparations containing calcium and aluminum can all cause constipation.

3. Dietary influence

If the food is too refined and lacks the necessary fiber, the necessary residual stimulants cannot be formed in the large intestine, and constipation is likely to occur.

4. Organic intestinal diseases

Such as intestinal tumors, intestinal adhesions, inflammation, or anal diseases including anal fissures and hemorrhoids.

5. Functional constipation

Lack of motivation for defecation, such as weak abdominal muscles, weak intestinal smooth muscles, weak levator ani muscles, etc. In addition, colon spasm, slow or loss of rectal defecation response, and abuse of strong laxatives causing dependence can also cause constipation.

VI. Extraintestinal organic diseases

Compression by large masses in the abdominal cavity, spinal cord and nerve root diseases, hypothyroidism, portal hypertension or heart failure can also cause constipation.

7. Slowed intestinal motility

People who are bedridden for a long time or the elderly have slow intestinal motility due to lack of activity; those who cannot take care of themselves, such as not being able to defecate in time, have no urge to defecate, absorb more water in the feces, and have dry and hard feces that are difficult to pass. Holding back bowel movements for a long time reduces the intestines' sensitivity to feces and makes the urge to defecate weaker, forming a vicious cycle that leads to habitual constipation.