 [ Symptoms ] can whopping cough cause problems with breathing or choking in adults  i have whopping cough and i am 50 years old i also have wegner is granutomilousis for the past week i have had problems sleeping because i wake up gagging and i can not catch my breath for sometimes over a minute [ Disease ] your hormones as well as vitamins and iron supplements may cause constipation difficulty passing stool or incomplete or infrequent passage of hard stools pressure on your rectum from your uterus may also cause constipation recommendations add more fiber such as whole grain foods fresh fruits and vegetables to your diet drink plenty of fluids daily at least six to eight glasses of water and one to two glasses of fruit or prune juice drink warm liquids especially in the morning exercise daily set a regular time for bowel movements avoid straining when having a bowel movement discuss the use of a laxative with your health care providers they may recommend natural fiber laxatives or stool softeners