When is constipation MOST likely to occur?

Constipation is most likely to occur when someone becomes dehydrated because adequate hydration is essential for maintaining healthy bowel function. Water plays a critical role in softening stools, making them easier to pass. When the body is dehydrated, it can absorb more water from the waste material in the intestines, resulting in harder, drier stools that are more difficult to eliminate.

While other factors can contribute to constipation, such as certain medications or a lack of physical activity, dehydration is a fundamental physiological issue that directly impacts bowel movement regularity. A high-fiber diet generally helps to prevent constipation by adding bulk to the stool, allowing it to move more easily through the intestines.