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What is
constipation?
The signs & symptoms of constipation
Fewer trips to the bathroom
You may have to ‘go’ less often than is normal for you – pooing less than 3 times a week could be constipation
Feeling bloated
You may find you have a bloated stomach and even feel sick and nauseous
Feeling you still need to ‘go’
Although you might be pooing as often as normal, you might feel as if you are not completely emptying your bowel
Abdominal pain or discomfort
Your stomach might feel painful and uncomfortable
Difficulty going
You might be pooing as often as normal but finding it painful, or you have to strain when you do poo
Your poo is large, dry,
hard and lumpy
Your poo might look different to normal, for example it could be hard, dry and lumpy or larger/smaller than usual
One great way to discover if you are constipated is to see how your poo compares with the guide doctors use - the Bristol stool chart
View Bristol Stool Chart
What causes constipation?
Common causes of constipation in adults
Lack of exercise
Being inactive and not exercising or spending long periods sitting or lying down
Medications
Some medicines cause constipation, e.g. certain antacids or pain relievers, antihistamines and iron supplements. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for advice
Diet
Not drinking enough fluids or eating enough fibre (you should eat 30g of fibre per day) or even eating at irregular times
Toilet habits
Ignoring when you need to poo, straining too much when you do ‘go’ and sitting rather than squatting on the toilet seat
Medical conditions
Certain medical conditions make constipation more likely, such as diabetes, anal fissures, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, stroke, and Parkinson’s disease
Stress
Negative emotions, such as stress, anxiety, and depression can cause constipation
Travel
Going on holiday or travelling can change your usual routine and diet, and cause constipation
Ageing
Constipation is more common in older people as our bowels age, we become less mobile, develop other health conditions, and take more medicines
Why it’s important to manage constipation
To ease discomfort
Taking action on constipation can help ease your discomfort and help you get back to feeling normal
To minimise complications
Ignoring constipation can cause haemorrhoids (piles) and faecal impaction, where poo builds up in your rectum
To aid digestion
Long-term constipation can make your bowel lazy, which can affect the digestive system
To improve quality of life
Constipation can have a major negative effect on your everyday wellbeing
To ease discomfort
Taking action on constipation can help ease your discomfort and help you get back to feeling normal
To minimise complications
Ignoring constipation can cause haemorrhoids (piles) and faecal impaction, where poo builds up in your rectum
To aid digestion
Long-term constipation can make your bowel lazy, which can affect the digestive system
To improve quality of life
Constipation can have a major negative effect on your everyday wellbeing
When you need to see your doctor
When do I need to see my doctor?
If you have any of the following symptoms alongside your constipation, it’s best to see your doctor for advice:
- You also feel extremely tired
- You are losing weight without trying
- Have blood in your poo
- You are often constipated and it lasts a long time or it doesn’t get better with treatment
- Pain in your abdomen or bottom (rectum)
Simple tips to help your constipation
The first thing to try when managing and preventing constipation is to make simple changes to your diet and lifestyle.
Hydrate
Fibre
Keep active
Toilet routine
