Can COVID Cause Constipation?

COVID-19 might lead to gut issues, such as diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting, in addition to the classic respiratory symptoms. Constipation might also occur, though it’s unclear if COVID can cause constipation. Some evidence suggests that a fever with COVID may cause dehydration, which increases your constipation risk.

Although constipation is not a usual symptom, you might wonder about the possible link if you have COVID and constipation at the same time. Read on to learn about how many people have constipation with COVID and risk factors.

COVID and Constipation: What's the Connection?

You may sweat a lot if you develop a fever with COVID. As a result, you may become constipated if you do not replace those lost fluids. It's a vicious cycle: COVID causes fluid loss, and fluid loss worsens your symptoms. 

Constipation often causes symptoms like:

• Bloating
• A feeling that your bowel has not fully emptied
• Fewer than three bowel movements per week
• Stomach pain
• Stools that are hard, dry, or difficult to pass
• Straining to have a bowel movement

"Usually when I see a patient who says they have new constipation in the setting of an infection, it's because they're dehydrated," John Sellick, DO, a professor of medicine at the University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, told Health. "Yes, you might have constipation and COVID, but it's likely not constipation caused by COVID."

How Many People Experience Constipation?

Constipation is generally common, affecting about 16 out of 100 adults. It's difficult to say if COVID causes constipation or is simply a coincidence, said Dr. Sellick.

Many people's habits changed during the COVID pandemic in March 2020. For example, a study published in 2021 found that 170 out of 678 people reported "new-onset" constipation during the COVID pandemic.

Risk Factors

Some evidence suggests that many people started drinking less water and exercising less than before the COVID pandemic. Blood flow and muscle contraction reduce if you limit physical activity, making digestion less effective. Those factors alone might have caused gastrointestinal (GI) problems for people with COVID.

Other Symptoms

There may not be a direct link between constipation and COVID. Still, GI concerns are prevalent with COVID, sometimes appearing before respiratory issues like a stuffy nose, cough, or difficulty breathing.

A study published in 2021 of 507 people with COVID found that 47.9% had at least one GI symptom, such as:

• Diarrhea
• Nausea 
• Stomach pain
• Vomiting 

Other Causes of Constipation

You might be more likely to develop constipation, in general. Risk factors for constipation might already exist in an infected person, so pinpointing the exact reason for it is challenging. It may simply be a coincidence if you have constipation and COVID at the same time. 

Factors that increase the risk of constipation include:

• Aging
• Certain health conditions, including brain and spine disorders, diabetes, intestinal obstructions, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Dehydration
• Delaying a bowel movement
• Lack of physical activity
• Medications, including some that treat severe COVID (i.e., remdesivir)
• Not eating enough fiber
• Pregnancy
• Stress

Constipation Treatment

Constipation generally goes away on its own without treatment. Still, there are things you can do at home to relieve constipation quickly and prevent future flares.

Here are some ways to prevent and treat constipation at home:

• Avoid processed foods: These include fast-food burgers, French fries, pastries, and white bread, all of which may worsen GI symptoms.
• Eat a high-fiber diet: Fiber helps relieve constipation. Experts advise that adults consume 22–34 grams of fiber per day. High-fiber foods include berries, broccoli, legumes, prunes, and whole grains. Boosting your fiber intake too quickly might cause bloating and excess gas, so slowly add it to your diet.
• Exercise: Try exercising at least three to four times per week.
• Go to the bathroom when you need to: Delaying a bowel movement may cause or worsen constipation.
• Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water and other liquids, such as clear soups and naturally sweetened fruit and vegetable juices, to help the fiber work better. Aim to drink eight to 10 cups of fluids daily.
• Use stool softeners: These medicines make it easier to have a bowel movement if you are constipated.

When To See a Healthcare Provider

See a healthcare provider if you cannot relieve constipation at home within three days. Let a healthcare provider know if you have a family history of colorectal cancer.

You might consider a visit to a healthcare provider if you:

• Are bloated
• Have stomach pain
• Are nauseous or vomiting
• Notice blood in your stool

A Quick Review 

COVID may not directly cause constipation. Still, you might have an increased risk of dehydration, a common cause of constipation, if you have a fever. Other causes of constipation include a lack of physical activity and low fiber intake. 

Try drinking plenty of water and eating high-fiber foods, like fruits, whole grains, and vegetables, to support digestion. Contact a healthcare provider if you cannot relieve constipation at home after three days or notice blood in your stool. 

The information in this story is accurate as of press time. However, as the situation surrounding COVID-19 continues to evolve, it's possible that some data have changed since publication. While Health is trying to keep our stories as up-to-date as possible, we also encourage readers to stay informed on news and recommendations for their own communities by using the CDC, WHO, and their local public health department as resources.