Irish Visitors Click HereWhat you should do if you're suffering from constipation? - by Dr Mark Porter
People don't like talking about their bowels with others and constipation can be a taboo subject for many sufferers. But it needn't be. Constipation is extremely common and your GP, practice nurse or pharmacist will be used to dealing with patients who are having difficulty with their bowels on a daily basis - it's just part of the job for them - so please don't let your embarrassment deter you from seeking help.
Most people will seek advice from their pharmacist before coming to see their doctor and this can be tricky - discussing your bowel actions with a pharmacist in front of a crowded shop is embarrassing! Fortunately a growing number of pharmacies, particularly the large chains, are now setting aside consulting areas where you can discuss your problem with the pharmacist. Just ask if you can have a private word with the pharmacist.
Should I see my doctor?
Around 3 out of 4 people with constipation never see, or need to see, their doctor and decades of use have shown that self-treatment with over-thecounter constipation remedies is both suitable, gentle and effective. That said, there are some cases that may benefit from medical input and the following groups should seek advice from their GP:
- Men and women over 50 where the constipation is a new problem and where it has been going on for more than a month - a change of bowel habit like this can be a sign of underlying bowel problems that may warrant further investigation. In most cases it will be absolutely nothing to worry about, but better safe than sorry.
- Anyone with a strong family history of bowel cancer (a sibling, or parent who has had the condition) who has developed constipation recently and where it has lasted for more than a month.
- All children - constipation is common in children, particularly the under fives, but there is more to treatment than dietary advice and laxatives. Children often get stuck into a cycle of constipation and it is best to seek the advice of a GP about how to encourage your child to have a regular bowel habit.
- Anyone whose constipation is accompanied by discomfort (tummy pains) or rectal bleeding (any blood loss from your back passage).
What about dietary measures?
Assuming that you don't fit into any of the above groups, your first priority should be to take a careful look at your diet.
- Try and increase your fibre intake to 30 grams a day (nearly twice the recommended daily intake). Your practice nurse may be able to provide you with a leaflet detailing the fibre content of common foods but as a rough rule of thumb you should increase your intake of fresh fruit and vegetables (leaving the skin on where possible), switch from white bread to high fibre wholemeal types, and eat a portion of high fibre cereal (bran based) every morning. Children under 16 should aim for around 20 grams a day (baked beans are an excellent source of fibre - there is as much as 5 grams in a good serving). High fibre diets can sometimes aggravate constipation, particularly in the elderly, and if this happens you should seek medical advice.
- The other useful, and often forgotten, self-help measure is to drink plenty of fluid. If you become dehydrated your body will take excess fluid from the bowel making your stools firmer, harder and more difficult to pass. Aim for an intake for at least 2 litres a day - any type of drink, including tea and coffee, will count towards this total.
If these dietary measures don't help then the next step is to seek expert advice and consider adding a laxative. And don't delay - if you deal with constipation early it tends to be easier to treat and you are less likely to develop complications like discomfort and troublesome piles.
Click here to read Dr Mark Porter's next article on 'The Importance of Fibre and Fluids' »
- View interactive animations of how the digestive system works »
- Find out what the symptoms of constipation are »
- Click here to use our treatment advisor to help find an appropriate treatment »
