Everyday discomforts are easy to ignore until they start shaping the rhythm of your life. Constipation is one of those conditions that most people quietly endure, dismiss as “nothing serious,” or jokingly attribute to a heavy meal. But chronic constipation is neither trivial nor rare. As Constipation Awareness Month is observed globally, experts say India needs urgent conversations around gut health, lifestyle habits, stigma, and timely medical intervention.
Despite being one of the most common gastrointestinal complaints, constipation remains underdiagnosed and undertreated in the country. Doctors estimate that nearly 20–22% of urban Indians experience constipation regularly, with numbers rising sharply among children, the elderly, and working professionals who struggle with sedentary routines. “We are seeing a clear rise in constipation across all age groups, especially young adults. Sedentary lifestyles, low-fibre diets, processed foods, inadequate water intake, and stress have dramatically changed how our gut functions. Constipation is no longer a problem of the elderly; it’s becoming a lifestyle disorder in urban India,” says Dr Ramesh Shah, a family physician practising in South Mumbai.
Constipation is not only about difficulty passing stool. It is a symptom that can stem from low fibre intake, dehydration, stress, hormonal shifts, diabetes, thyroid disorders, medications, or irregular meal timings. It can also be a sign of more serious underlying conditions if it persists for weeks.
Doctors say chronic constipation impacts quality of life more than most people admit, from bloating and abdominal pain to anxiety about irregular bowel movements. Untreated cases may progress to fissures, haemorrhoids, and in severe scenarios, faecal impaction requiring intervention.
But what keeps patients silent is the embarrassment associated with talking about bowel habits, a stigma that public health experts want to dismantle this month.
Work stress, erratic eating, reduction in home-cooked meals, and low water intake have contributed to a new wave of constipation among adults in their 20s and 30s. The shift towards highly processed foods and minimal physical activity only worsens gut motility. Even children are not exempt. Paediatricians report rising constipation linked to low-fibre diets, prolonged screen time, refusal to drink water, and poor toilet habits.
“I’m only 28, but my gut started behaving like I was twice my age. Constipation became so frequent that I stopped making morning plans because I never knew how I’d feel. It’s embarrassing to talk about, but it really affects your confidence,” a PR executive from Delhi tells THE WEEK. She admits to leading a sedentary lifestyle that includes sitting for hours in front of a screen, skipping breakfast and relying on takeaways.
In many Indian homes, discussing bowel movements is considered impolite or embarrassing. This delays medical help until symptoms become painful or disruptive. Doctors recommend seeking help if one has fewer than three bowel movements a week, if one feels strained or incomplete evacuation and if there is blood in stool, sudden unexplained weight loss or severe abdominal pain.
Laxative overuse is another silent concern. Many people turn to herbal powders, OTC pills, or strong stimulant laxatives without understanding the long-term consequences. Over time, this can reduce the colon’s natural ability to contract, leading to dependency.
“Aim for 2–3 litres of water daily, consume fibre-rich foods such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and also include probiotics like curd, buttermilk and fermented foods. 20–30 minutes of daily walking improves bowel motility, and one must never ignore the urge to pass stool,” says Dr Sibal, a gastroenterologist.
Constipation Awareness Month is not merely about promoting fibre or home remedies. It is a push for breaking stigma around discussing gut health and recognising constipation as a legitimate medical condition.
As urban lifestyles continue to evolve, constipation is becoming a chronic public health challenge.
“I kept trying home remedies for months, but nothing really helped until I finally met a doctor. With a proper plan—diet changes, a mild prescribed laxative, and a fixed morning routine—my gut became regular again. It felt like reclaiming a part of my life,” says a 32-year-old Bengaluru-based woman studying for her doctorate in political science.
Constipation may not dominate health headlines, but its burden is real, widespread, and often debilitating. As doctors reiterate during this awareness month, paying attention to your gut is not just about digestion, it is about overall wellbeing.
Sometimes the most ordinary discomforts are the body’s way of asking for extraordinary care. And listening early can make all the difference.