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Estreñimiento vs. constipación

Word practice demo
While both words refer to the inability to pass stools, the choice depends largely on geography. Estreñimiento is the universal standard understood everywhere, whereas constipación is a regional variant used primarily in South America, but which can also mean a head cold in other regions due to linguistic roots.

Estreñimiento

B1
This is the most common, universally understood term for constipation across Spain and most of Latin America. It is appropriate for both medical situations and casual daily conversation.
El doctor me recomendó comer muchas ciruelas para el estreñimiento.
(The doctor recommended I eat a lot of plums for the constipation.)
Si no bebes suficiente agua, podrías sufrir de estreñimiento severo.
(If you do not drink enough water, you could suffer from severe constipation.)
El cambio de dieta provocó un estreñimiento temporal en el bebé.
(The change in diet caused temporary constipation in the baby.)
Siento mucha hinchazón debido al estreñimiento.
(I feel a lot of bloating due to constipation.)

Constipación

B2
This term is widely used to mean bowel obstruction in the Southern Cone countries (Argentina, Uruguay, Chile). However, in Spain and other parts of Latin America, it is often considered an anglicism, or strictly refers to a respiratory cold (related to being constipado).
La constipación crónica es un problema frecuente en pacientes mayores.
(Chronic constipation is a frequent problem in older patients.)
En las farmacias de Buenos Aires venden remedios para la constipación.
(In Buenos Aires pharmacies, they sell remedies for constipation.)
El ejercicio físico ayuda a combatir la constipación.
(Physical exercise helps combat constipation.)
A veces la constipación es un síntoma de estrés.
(Sometimes constipation is a symptom of stress.)

Summary

Use estreñimiento as your default word to ensure you are understood by any Spanish speaker globally. Reserve constipación for use in South American countries like Argentina or Chile, or within specific medical contexts influenced by English terminology.