Constipation is having three or fewer bowel movements per week. It can be a sign of poor gastrointestinal health in general. Constipation is often accompanied by other symptoms related to the digestive system, such as bloating, stomach cramps, and abdominal pain during a bowel movement. 

Nausea is a feeling of queasiness and an urge to vomit. It is a common symptom most people have experienced at some point in their lives. 

While constipation and nausea are both common symptoms, having them together can leave you feeling very uncomfortable. But are the two conditions related? Can constipation lead to nausea? And how do you treat it? Please keep reading to find out.

What causes constipation?

As mentioned, constipation is having three or fewer bowel movements per week. Infrequent bowel movements can be the result of:

• Lack of fiber and fluids in your diet
• Lack of physical activity
• Medical conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease
• Intestinal obstruction or bowel obstruction (blockage)
• A medical condition like hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
• Side effects of certain medications

Can constipation cause fatigue and nausea?

Constipation and Nausea

Constipation can cause nausea in some people. This is because constipation leads to a buildup of digested food in the digestive tract, specifically in the colon or large intestines. The accumulation of excess waste in the large intestine can lead to a feeling of queasiness and make you feel nauseous. Not only can you experience nausea, but also vomiting with severe cases of constipation. 

The best way to treat nausea caused by constipation is to treat the constipation itself. You should drink plenty or water (this helps the large intestine in drawing water into the stool, making it softer and easier to pass). Taking over-the-counter fiber supplements or stool softeners may also help to relieve nausea caused by constipation. 

Constipation and Fatigue

Constipation and fatigue frequently occur together. While constipation does not directly cause fatigue or tiredness, constipation makes it more likely for you to experience related symptoms like bloating and sluggishness. Certain medical conditions, for example, hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), cause both constipation and fatigue. 

Other causes of the two symptoms, constipation and fatigue, occurring together can include dehydration, malnutrition, autoimmune disorders, fibromyalgia, constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and medication side effects.

What are the complications of untreated constipation?

Occasional constipation can be managed with over-the-counter medications such as a fiber supplement or stool softener and home remedies like aggressive hydration. 

However, it is important to seek medical attention from a healthcare professional or expert in digestive health if you experience constipation as a chronic condition. 

Failure to treat chronic constipation (long-lasting symptoms of constipation) can lead to serious complications such as changes in the gut microbiome, fecal impaction, and anal fissures (small tears in the anus due to straining with dry stools). 

What is the best treatment for constipation?

Treating constipation usually involves treating the underlying condition. For example, if a lack of dietary fiber and fluids is the cause of your poor bowel habits, adding more fiber to your diet and staying well-hydrated is the obvious solution. Keeping a food journal can help you identify areas where your diet can be improved.

OTC medications used to treat constipation include stool softeners. These medicines help to soften hard stools and relieve constipation. In other words, they make it easier to pass stool if you are constipated. A stool softener can also provide relief from related symptoms of constipation, like stomach pain. 

Laxatives work by loosening stool and causing you to have a bowel movement. There are different types of laxatives, such as bulk-forming laxatives (Metamucil, Citrucel, FiberCon), osmotic laxatives (lactulose, PEG, Milk of Magnesia), stimulant laxatives

(Dulcolax, Senokot), and lubricants (mineral oil). 

Depending on the cause, your doctor may give you prescription medications like lactulose (Duphalac), lubiprostone (Amitiza), or linaclotide (Linzess) for chronic constipation.

References:

1. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4059-constipation