{"id":57682,"date":"2016-02-25T22:48:35","date_gmt":"2016-02-25T21:48:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.darmklachten.nl\/constipation\/"},"modified":"2026-09-28T18:43:59","modified_gmt":"2026-09-28T16:43:59","slug":"constipation","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.darmklachten.nl\/en\/symptoms\/constipation\/","title":{"rendered":"Constipation"},"content":{"rendered":"
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What you need to know about constipation<\/h2>\n

If you are only able to pass stool once or a few times a week, this is referred to as constipation. The process of digestion and the passage of intestinal contents normally takes twelve to twenty-four hours. In thirty percent of people with constipation, intestinal transit is delayed, and the problem is caused by the rectum not emptying easily. Slow transit is associated with impaired function of the nerve cells in the rectum that control movement. Constipation is characterised by slow bowel movements with hard, dry stools, and you may only need to go to the toilet once every three days\u2014or less often\u2014to pass stool. There is often an urge to go, but no stool is passed, which can cause an unpleasant feeling in the abdomen. Hard stools can also alternate with soft, unformed stools. Constipation occurs twice as often in women as in men. Adults and children who are overweight are also twice as likely to experience this condition. Some people have suffered from constipation since childhood, while in others it develops later in life.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]\n

\"OverweightOverweight and diabetes<\/strong>
\nOf all people with gastrointestinal complaints, one quarter suffer from constipation. Adults and children who are overweight are twice as likely to experience this condition. Constipation is one of the most common complaints associated with overweight and diabetes. Emptying of the bowel takes twice as long, and neurological disorders of the bowel also play a role. Research indicates that many people who are overweight produce four times as much methane. These gases can cause flatulence and belching. Methane levels can be measured in the breath. The bacterial species Methanobrevibacter produces methane gas, which slows intestinal transit. The problems increase with age. By around the age of 80, more than 70% of people have very slow bowel function.
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Symptoms of constipation<\/h2>\n