Delhi, October 05, 2026: Long working hours, prolonged sitting, irregular meals and low physical activity are becoming part of everyday routines for many urban professionals. Digestive complaints such as constipation and bloating can often be overlooked as minor work-related discomfort. A recent community-based study found functional constipation in 18.1% of participants, while functional abdominal bloating or distension affected 20.8%.

Dr. Piyush Vishwakarma, Consultant- Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Liver Transplant, RG Hospitals, Delhi[TW1] , said, “Constipation and bloating are often treated as minor problems that people simply live with, particularly when work schedules are demanding. However, persistent symptoms should not be normalised. Long periods of sitting, irregular meal timings, inadequate fibre and fluid intake and low physical activity can all affect bowel habits. Simple changes to the daily routine can help, but symptoms that continue or are associated with pain, bleeding, unexplained weight loss or other warning signs need medical evaluation.”

A sedentary workday does not automatically mean a person will develop constipation, but low physical activity can form part of a routine that affects bowel regularity. Long hours at a desk are often accompanied by missed meals, eating quickly, limited movement and inadequate fluid intake. These habits can contribute to harder stools, difficulty passing stools and a feeling of incomplete evacuation.

People often associate constipation only with not passing stool every day. However, symptoms can also include straining, hard stools, a feeling that the bowel has not emptied completely or difficulty passing stool. A study of patients with chronic constipation[2]  found that a feeling of incomplete evacuation was reported by 93.8% of participants, while 88.8% reported straining.

This means that bowel frequency alone does not always tell the complete story. A person who passes stool regularly but repeatedly strains or feels incompletely evacuated may still need an assessment.

Professionals who spend much of the day at a desk can build movement into their routine rather than waiting for a long workout at the end of the day. Short walking breaks, regular physical activity and avoiding long uninterrupted periods of sitting can help maintain an active routine. WHO[3]  recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity a week for adults and also advises limiting sedentary time.

Regular meal timings, adequate fluids and a diet that includes fibre-rich foods such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains and pulses can also support bowel health. Fibre intake should be increased gradually, particularly in people who are not accustomed to a high-fibre diet.

Occasional constipation or bloating may settle with changes in diet and routine, but persistent or recurrent symptoms should not simply be managed with repeated self-medication. Blood in the stool, unexplained weight loss, persistent abdominal pain, vomiting, a marked change in bowel habits or symptoms that are becoming progressively worse warrant medical evaluation.

For urban professionals, the message is not to avoid sitting altogether but to recognise when a sedentary workday is being combined with poor eating, low activity and inadequate hydration. Building regular movement and healthier meal and hydration habits into the working day can support digestive health, while persistent symptoms deserve attention rather than being dismissed as part of a busy lifestyle.