Occasional constipation or diarrhoea is often related to diet, stress, or changes in daily routine. However, if the problem persists, keeps recurring over several weeks, or continues for a long time, it may be more than simply having a “sensitive stomach”. It could point to chronic constipation or chronic diarrhoea, which often suggests that something is affecting bowel function or the digestive system.
Constipation is commonly linked to not drinking enough water, not getting enough fibre, low physical activity, or changes in lifestyle. But if you have ongoing difficulty passing stool, hard stools, straining, or a frequent feeling of incomplete emptying, it may also be related to bowel motility problems, medication effects, or even colorectal disease. Chronic diarrhoea, on the other hand, may be associated with post-infectious bowel sensitivity, irritable bowel syndrome, food intolerance, or chronic bowel inflammation.
What is especially important is not just the presence of constipation or diarrhoea, but whether there has been a clear change in bowel habits. For example, if your bowel pattern used to be regular but has recently changed to alternating constipation and diarrhoea, or if diarrhoea does not settle and is accompanied by abdominal pain, weight loss, poor appetite, anaemia, or blood in the stool, you should seek medical attention early.
Some people try to manage the problem themselves by buying laxatives or anti-diarrhoeal medicine. However, if symptoms are simply being suppressed with medication, the real cause may remain unidentified. A gastroenterologist will usually first assess your medical history, diet, how long the symptoms have been present, and whether there are any warning signs, before deciding whether further investigations are needed.
If the problem persists or keeps coming back, it is important to get checked early. Early assessment may help determine whether this is a functional bowel problem or whether there is another digestive condition that needs further attention.
