Constipation Treatment - Find Useful Information!
Constipation In WomenConstipation is when an individual goes to the toilet less often than usual or when it is difficult to pass a motion. For some people 'regular' may be twice a day, for others it can be three times a week.
It can be one of the most uncomfortable gastrointestinal problems. Many people only experience constipation for a short period of time with no lasting effects on their health. For others, it can be a chronic, long-term condition which can cause significant pain and discomfort.
Symptoms vary between individuals, with the most common ones including:
- Fewer bowel motions than usual
- Having to strain to pass a motion
- Pain when passing a motion
- Passing motions that are dry and hard, like rabbit pellets (especially common in babies)
- A feeling of incomplete bowel emptying
- Bloating, nausea and sometimes vomiting
Constipation doesn't just cause gastrointestinal symptoms and some people also experience lethargy, headaches and a general feeling of being unwell.
Who is most likely to suffer from constipation?
Constipation affects twice as many women than men, and is more common in the elderly. Approximately 40% of pregnant women experience constipation at some point during their pregnancy.
Bottle fed babies often suffer from constipation because formula milk is harder for them to digest than breast milk. Their stools tend to be thicker and have a different, more greenish colour.
What causes constipation?
Common causes of constipation include:
- Lack of liquid and dehydration
- Lack of fibre
- Inactivity
- Stress
- Ignoring the urge to go to the toilet
Some medications and medical conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome, can also bring on symptoms, as can changes in the environment, such as going on a holiday or going to hospital.
How can constipation be treated?
Symptoms of constipation can usually be managed through simple diet and lifestyle changes alone. These include:
- taking regular exercise
- drinking at least eight glasses of water a day
- eating a high fibre diet with brain cereals and whole grains
- eating at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day
- keeping stress to a minimum
- not ignoring the urge to go to the toilet
In babies, massaging the stomach, moving the legs in a cycling motion, a warm bath and giving the baby cool, boiled water can all help to relieve symptoms.
If an individual is not responding to the above, they should seek advice from their pharmacist or GP who may be able to prescribe suitable laxatives or a fibre supplement.
In cases of severe abdominal pain, vomiting or passing blood in bowel motions, a General Physician should be consulted as soon as possible.
Kirthy Shetty, Platinum author:
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