What is Constipation

While constipation is clinically defined as having less than three bowel movements a week, or having difficulty emptying your bowels, it can also be defined on a more personal level. Your normal bowel habit is normal to you

When the change in bowel movements starts causing discomfort or hard dry bowel movements that are difficult to pass then you need to change your diet. Increased intake in dietary fibre and fluid is the first step to get your bowel movements regular again.

What Causes Constipation?

Constipation may also be caused by stress, decreased exercise, or poor diet. Constipation can be brought on as a result of unfamiliar surroundings such as a long flight or journey when access to a toilet is not available, comfortable or familiar to you. Some medications may also cause constipation.

Bowel habits are also changed by pregnancy when hormonal changes or physical obstruction from the pressure of the baby on the intestines prevents the bowel emptying completely.

Whenever your bowel habit has changed, you need to consider what else in your life might have changed. If you are busy or stressed by work or personal circumstances, your diet and fluid intake might also change.

How to Treat Constipation?

The first approach to treat constipation should always be from a dietary perspective. The best first treatment is to increase the amount of fluid, preferably water, that you drink; and to increase your fibre intake.

Good sources of fibre are beans, whole grains, berries, nuts and seeds. Women should try to eat at least 21-25 grams of fibre a day, while men should aim for 30 -38 grams a day. Limiting caffeinated drinks such as tea, coffee and energy drinks is also helpful.

Constipation Medical Treatments

If changes to your diet have not made sufficient impact then you should continue increasing the fibre and fluid in your diet and talk to our community pharmacists about treatments available to relieve the constipation.

Treatments available without prescription include medicines that increase the liquid retained in the bowel to make it easier to form a soft motion. There are stronger medications that act as laxatives to increase the frequency of the bowel movement, relieving the constipation.