Constipation is common and can affect anyone. It’s when you pass hard, dry stools less frequently than your normal passing of bowel movements. It is also associated with symptoms of straining or having pain when you pass stools and abdominal discomfort, bloating and nausea.
There can be varying reasons for someone to be constipated, although sometimes there’s no obvious reason.
The most common causes include:
- not eating enough fibre – such as fruit, vegetables and cereals
- drinking not enough fluids
- moving not enough and spending long periods sitting or lying in bed
- being less active and not exercising
- ignoring the urge to go to the toilet
- changing your diet or daily routine
- a side effect of medicine
- stress, anxiety or depression
Constipation is also common during pregnancy and for 6 weeks after giving birth. An estimated 1 in 3 women suffer from constipation due to the raised progesterone levels during pregnancy. It means that the gut muscles are more relaxed. During the first trimester stimulant laxatives should be avoided.
Treating Constipation
- Managing any underlying secondary cause ie stop any medication that is causing constipation
- Increase fruit and fibre intake, keep hydrated and regular exercise ( 30-60 mins of physical activity on five or more days of the week)
- If dietary and lifestyle measures don’t help the first line of treatment used should be a bulk-forming laxative (eg ispaghula). Th effects of this laxative usually begins within 24 hours however can take 2-3 days to reach its full effect.
- Osmotic Laxative – (eg. Lactulose). It can take up to 2-3 days for it to work
- Stimulant Laxative – (eg Senna, Gylcerin suppositories) These can start to take affect within 6-12 hours i.e. overnight.
It is important to maintain a healthy and balanced diet. A diet containing plenty of wholegrains. certain fruits and vegetables – a gradual increase in dietary fibre. However this can take a few weeks to achieve. Make sure you drink plenty of water as its helps to reduce constipation.
