They don’t cause each other, but they can both be symptoms of many things.
With constipation, bowel movements are more difficult or less frequent than usual.
Fatigue makes you tired, lethargic.
Illustration by Laura Porter for Verywell Health
Illustration by Laura Porter for Verywell Health
When you have both, it could be fromdehydrationormalnutrition.
Or a medication or medical condition may be to blame.
Constipation and Fatigue
Both constipation and fatigue have to be judged against whats normal for you.
But if you typically have three or four bowel movements a day, your personal benchmark is different.
Pay attention to your normal patterns, and watch for changes that may signal a problem.
Symptoms of constipation include:
Fatigue can also be tricky to gauge.
If you regularly dont get enoughsleepor have chronic stress, you may be fatigued a lot of the time.
Base your assessment on your normal.
A new symptom or significant change is something worth paying attention to.
Constipation and Fatigue Causes
Fatigue isnt a constipation symptom.
But the two symptoms can come from many of the same medical problems.
Fatigue is a major symptom of many autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases.
Some diseases directly affect thedigestive system, includingceliac diseaseand autoimmune GI dysmotility.
Many other diseases have systemic effects that may include digestive problems and constipation.
Some causes may involve autoimmunity.
Fatigue is a defining symptom of both conditions.
They also can involve bowel problems, including constipation.
The Link Between IBS and Chronic Fatigue
Irritable bowel syndrome(IBS) often involves constipation.
It comes in foursubtypes:
Only IBS-D doesnt involve constipation.
Research suggests that about 55% of people with IBS have fatigue.The link isnt fully understood.
It may be due to genetic abnormalities that affectserotonin, aneurotransmitterand hormone that deals with digestion and sleep.
Serotonin dysregulation is also linked to fibromyalgia, ME/CFS, and othercentral sensitivity syndromes.
Those conditions frequently overlap with IBS.
Treatment
Treatments for constipation and fatigue may vary depending on the cause.
If theyre resulting from an underlying illness, that illness should be treated.
Meanwhile, you may get symptom relief from other treatments.
Work with your healthcare provider to get a diagnosis and find treatments that help.
Some places to start include changing your diet, taking or changing medications, and improving your sleep schedule.
Diet Changes/Supplements
Dietary changes may help both constipation and fatigue.
For constipation:
For fatigue, ask your healthcare provider to check fornutritional deficiencies.
Correcting those is an easy place to start.
Certain herbs and nutrients may increase your energy levels or help you sleep.
It can be hard to get enough through diet alone, though.
Supplements can be a more consistent and reliable method.
Medication
You and your healthcare provider should look over your current medications and supplements.
Something may be causing or contributing to your symptoms.
If so, you may want to adjust your dosage or switch to a different medication.
If you over-use them, they can make constipation worse.
Fatigue can be treated with medications that keep you awake, those that help you sleep, or both.
Stimulant medications include:
you might get sleep aids OTC or by prescription.
Prescription sleep medications include:
Antidepressants are sometimes used to improve sleep, as well.
Sleep Schedule
Improving yoursleep schedulecan relieve fatigue, and maybe constipation, too.
A study suggests sleeping for longer or shorter periods than average can increase constipation rates.
Prevention
You may be able to prevent bouts of constipation.
If you have a family history ofcolon or rectal cancer, always get constipation checked out.
Summary
Constipation and fatigue are symptoms of many medical conditions.
They can also be sparked by malnutrition, dehydration, and medications.
Treatment involves dietary changes, supplements, medications, and better sleep habits.
Prevention involves fiber, hydration, being active, and going when you gotta.
Don’t just live with constipation and fatigue.
See a healthcare provider to figure out what’s causing them and if you have prolonged or severe symptoms.
Research suggests its because they both involve low serotonin levels or activity.
No, constipation doesnt cause weight gainat least, it doesnt make you gain fat.
Temporarily, your weight may go up simply because you have a lot of stool in your intestine.
Once its out, youll be back at your pre-constipation weight.
Constipation has many possible causes, not just dehydration.
You may not be eating enough fiber, getting enough activity, or sleeping well.
All those things can contribute to constipation.
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