symptoms

Constipation

便秘 (benpi)

Constipation is having fewer than three bowel movements per week, with stools that are hard, dry, and difficult to pass. Causes include low-fiber diet, inadequate fluid intake, lack of exercise, medications (especially opioids), and underlying conditions such as hypothyroidism or colorectal cancer. Constipation is a very common complaint in Japan, especially among women and the elderly.

Laxatives (下剤, gezai) are available without prescription at Japanese pharmacies; persistent constipation warrants a colonoscopy to rule out serious causes.

In 9 languages

Language	Term
English	Constipation
Japanese (日本語)	便秘
Chinese (中文)	便秘
Korean (한국어)	변비
Portuguese	Constipação
Spanish	Estreñimiento
Filipino	Tibi
Thai	ท้องผูก
Vietnamese	Táo bón
Romanization	benpi

Related terms

• Intestine 腸
• Abdominal Pain 腹痛
• Gastroenterology 消化器科
• Colonoscopy 大腸内視鏡

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