Constipation is a common digestive problem that usually resolves with diet and lifestyle changes. However, in some cases, constipation can become a medical emergency. Knowing when constipation requires urgent attention is essential to avoid serious complications.

In the United States, around 16 out of 100 adults experience constipation symptoms. This rate increases to about 33 out of 100 in adults over 60 years old, making constipation especially concerning in older populations.

Symptoms To Seek Immediate Care

Constipation is often temporary, but if it occurs alongside severe symptoms, it can indicate an underlying condition or life-threatening complication. Contact a healthcare provider immediately if you notice:

  • Severe abdominal pain: While constipation often causes discomfort, sharp, intense pain can suggest bowel perforation or another serious issue.

  • Blood in stool: Bloody stools can point to conditions such as colorectal cancer, hemorrhoids, or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

  • Fever: Constipation itself does not cause fever. If you experience one, it may be due to diverticulitis—inflamed pouches in the colon that may require antibiotics or surgery.

  • Inability to pass gas: This may indicate a bowel obstruction, preventing food and waste from moving through your digestive system.

  • No bowel movement after seven days: Going a week without a bowel movement could lead to fecal impaction, which may require an enema or medical intervention.

  • Vomiting: Vomiting while constipated may suggest a blockage in the colon, often caused by impacted stool.

Treatment for Adults

Most cases of constipation are not emergencies and can be treated at home. Common remedies include:

  • Eating fiber-rich foods (fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes)

  • Practicing bowel training (going to the toilet at the same time daily)

  • Exercising regularly to stimulate digestion

  • Responding to the urge to have a bowel movement instead of delaying

  • Using over-the-counter (OTC) laxatives or enemas as directed

  • Consulting a healthcare provider for prescription laxatives if constipation persists

Symptoms in Infants and Children

Constipation can look different in infants and children compared to adults. In addition to fewer bowel movements, behavioral changes often appear.

In infants, constipation signs include:

  • Crying during bowel movements

  • Hard, pellet-like stools

  • Bowel movements less frequent than usual

In young children, constipation may cause behaviors such as:

  • Arching their back

  • Crossing their legs

  • Squatting, rocking, or fidgeting

  • Standing on tiptoes when resisting a bowel movement

Seek medical advice if you notice the following:

  • Infants under 4 months: Excessive crying, fewer than three bowel movements per week, vomiting, or very hard stools

  • Older infants: Refusal to eat, abdominal swelling, blood in diapers, vomiting, or weight loss

  • Children: Loss of appetite, repeated constipation episodes, bloody stools, or pain during bowel movements

Treatment for Infants and Children

Always consult a pediatrician before treating constipation in very young infants.

For infants 4 months and older, possible remedies include:

  • Small amounts of fruit juice (1–2 weeks maximum)

  • Adjusting formula if recommended by a doctor

  • Offering high-fiber solid foods when age-appropriate

For toddlers and children:

  • Encourage a balanced, high-fiber diet

  • Promote healthy toilet habits (not delaying bathroom visits)

  • Temporarily pause toilet training if constipation is causing stress

  • Offer fruit juices in moderation, only for short-term relief

A Quick Review

Constipation usually isn’t dangerous, but it can turn into a medical emergency if accompanied by:

  • Severe abdominal pain

  • Fever

  • Blood in stool

  • Vomiting

  • Inability to pass gas

Infants and children may show constipation through unusual behaviors like squatting, rocking, or refusing to eat. Adults can often manage constipation with diet, hydration, exercise, and occasional laxatives, but medical care is essential if symptoms escalate.