Constipation refers to difficulties passing a hard bowel motion. It is a common digestive problem and most people experience constipation at some time in their life. A 2019 Australian study of more than 29 000 adults found that 24% had chronic constipation.
Symptoms of constipation include:
passing hard stools
only passing small amounts at a time
feeling as though you haven’t completely emptied your bowels
The consistency of your bowel motions and how hard they are to pass is more important than how often you go to the toilet. Going to the toilet between 2-3 times per week or 3 times per day may be normal if you don’t have any of the other symptoms mentioned above.
Possible causes of constipation include:
a lack of fibre in the diet
not drinking enough water
not getting enough exercise
ignoring the urge to go to the toilet when you need to
stress
taking certain medications and supplements including some pain killers and iron supplements
certain medical conditions including Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis
digestive issues such as irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulitis or haemorrhoids
pregnancy
overuse of laxatives
You can prevent and manage constipation by:
increasing fibre in your diet, from foods such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, wholegrains, nuts and seeds
drinking plenty of water and other fluids
exercising regularly
going to the toilet when you get the urge
Occasional bouts of constipation are usually nothing to worry about but if your constipation is persistent, despite making lifestyle changes, see your doctor. This is particularly important if you have other symptoms including a recent change in bowel habits, loss of appetite, weight loss, bleeding from your bowel or abdominal or rectal pain. Your doctor will decide if you need further investigations and may recommend a laxative to help with managing your constipation.
For more information:
Visit: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/constipation
References:
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/constipation
https://www.nps.org.au/australian-prescriber/articles/managing-constipation-in-adults
Werth BL, Williams KA, Fisher MJ, Pont LG. Defining constipation to estimate its prevalence in the community: results from a national survey. BMC Gastroenterol. 2019 May 21;19(1):75. doi: 10.1186/s12876-019-0994-0. PMID: 31113366; PMCID: PMC6528208.
