Constipation happens when the digestive system slows and stools become hard to pass. While occasional bouts are common, chronic constipation can cause persistent abdominal pain, bloating, and straining—and it shouldn’t be ignored.

Doctors have documented extreme cases, including a woman constipated for two weeks whose colon became dangerously enlarged, rising toward the chest. In severe “megacolon,” the bowel’s normal folds flatten and its ability to push stool along can fail, creating life-threatening risk.

Ongoing constipation can trigger more problems: impaired gut movement, toxins recirculating (with fatigue, bad breath, and breakouts), painful hemorrhoids and anal fissures, and even full bowel blockage that may require emergency surgery. Long-term constipation is also linked to higher colon cancer risk.

Prevention centers on habits: eat a fiber-rich diet (fruits, vegetables, whole grains), drink plenty of water, exercise regularly, and keep a consistent bathroom routine. If constipation is persistent, worsening, or accompanied by severe pain, vomiting, blood, or weight loss, seek medical care promptly.