Why am I experiencing long-term constipation, poor digestion, and gas?

Question

Hello doctor,

I have been experiencing constipation for the past year. Sometimes, especially in the morning, I feel pressure or heaviness in my abdomen, but this pressure is not present every day.

Apart from this, I do not have any major symptoms. I do not experience abdominal pain, and the rest of my body feels normal. However, I feel that my food is not getting digested properly. Occasionally, gas also does not pass easily from my stomach, which causes discomfort.

There is no severe pain, no vomiting, and no other serious issues. My main concern is long-term constipation, poor digestion, and occasional gas retention.

Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

This appears to be chronic functional constipation, possibly associated with slow gut motility and gas trapping, rather than a serious disease. The absence of alarm symptoms, such as severe abdominal pain, vomiting, weight loss, blood in stools, or anemia, is reassuring.

The morning heaviness or pressure you feel is commonly due to stool and gas accumulation overnight, when bowel movements naturally slow. The sensation of poor digestion is often not due to stomach disease but rather delayed colonic transit and altered gut–brain coordination. When gas does not pass easily, it creates bloating and discomfort without pain.

Some of the common causes include:

Low fiber or inconsistent diet.
Inadequate water intake.
Reduced physical activity.
Long-standing diabetes causing mild autonomic (gut nerve) dysfunction.
Suppression of the natural urge to pass stools.

At this stage, management is usually conservative:

Increase dietary fiber gradually (fruits, vegetables, psyllium).
Ensure adequate hydration, especially in the morning.
Establish a fixed toilet routine after breakfast.
Gentle daily walking or stretching.
Osmotic laxatives, such as Polyethylene glycol or Lactulose, may help if advised by your doctor.

If constipation persists despite these measures, further evaluation, such as thyroid tests, glucose control review, stool tests, or colonoscopy, depending on age and risk, may be considered.

Overall, your symptoms suggest a benign, manageable condition, but consistency in lifestyle measures is key to long-term relief.

I hope you are satisfied with my answer. For further queries, you can consult me at iCliniq.

Thank you.