Is it bad to be constipated?

Answer 1

Not passing a stool for a couple days or so is not necessarily a problem, unless you're the kind of person that passes 3 stools a day. In other words, your bowel habits determine how constipated you are. If you normally pass a stool only 3 times a week, you are still considered to have normal bowel habits.

Getting on to your question, it varies on how constipated you are. If you are constipated for only a few days and then your bowel habits return to normal, there is nothing to worry about. Only when constipation lasts for a long time or is combined with other symptoms do you need to contact your doctor.

Even still, being constipated is not good for your bowels and it is wise to drink a lot of fluids and eat fiber to prevent this symptom.

Answer 2

Being constipated for a long time can do some damage to the intestines & then cause other problems. You might try over the counter stool softeners or Miralax (as directed on the bottle) for a few days, or if that doesn't work get a bottle of Magnesium citrate, which is used as a bowel cleanser for test prep. If this keeps happening, though, you should see your primary doctor or a GI doctor.

Answer 3

It depends on how many days you have been constipated. If it's been more than 2-3 days since you had a bowel movement, you should go ahead and take a laxative before you go to bed so you'll have a movement in the morning.

Answer 4

No I wouldn't of thought so

It can be harmful if you are constipated for more than a week. See your doctor if this occurs or if you develop any other symptoms.