Constipation

What is constipation?

Constipation is the inability to have a bowel movement at least three times a week. But it isn’t exclusive to going to the toilet less often than necessary. If you find it difficult to pass stools and they tend to be hard and dry, you may also need constipation treatment, or to try and adjust your diet to soften your stools.

The inability to pass a stool regularly can be the cause of hard and dry stools that are difficult to pass, which in turn will result in pain and straining whenever you have a bowel movement.

Who gets constipation?

Anyone can become constipated, but some people may be more at risk than others,^[1] including:

• Women who are pregnant or recently post-partum;
• Older people;
• People who have a diet that’s low in fibre;
• People who take certain types of medication or dietary supplements, such as antacids, iron supplements, narcotic pain medication, anticonvulsants, diuretics, and others;
• People with certain gastrointestinal disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome, commonly referred to as IBS;
• People of non-caucasian ethnicity.

How common is constipation?

Constipation is a very common condition, average rates can vary between countries and children and the elderly population tend to be the most likely to experience it.^[2] In the UK, it’s estimated that one in seven adults will be affected by it at any given time.^[3] And it’s even more common with children with an estimate of one in every three being affected at any given time.^[4]

With numbers like these, it’s pretty likely that everyone will experience it at some point in their lives. But it’s estimated that one in five adults are embarrassed to talk about it with their doctor, which means it’s not always treated.^[4]

There are many different treatment options that can help, and for those looking for discretion, getting treatment online may be a more appealing option.

What causes constipation?

Constipation can be caused by multiple things.^[1] There may be one single cause or a combination of many. These causes can include:

• Dehydration;
• Pregnancy;
• Age, as you’re more likely to get constipated as you get older;
• Travelling can also affect your bowel movements;
• Certain medical conditions such as anatomic problems of the digestive tract, intestinal obstructions, hypothyroidism, diabetes, spinal cord or brain injuries, and Parkinson’s disease.
• The slow movement of the stools through the colon;
• Gastrointestinal conditions such as IBS;
• A diet poor in fibre;
• A diet with too much fibre (and not enough liquid intake);
• Following a sedentary lifestyle;
• Taking certain medications and supplements such as antacids, diuretics, iron supplements, anticonvulsants, medicines used to treat Parkinson’s disease, narcotic pain medicines, and antidepressants;
• There has also been a link between psychiatric conditions and constipation.^[2]

What are the symptoms of constipation?

The main symptom of constipation is not being able to go to the toilet to pass a stool. But it can come with other uncomfortable symptoms, too. They can include bloating, nausea, straining, dry stools, pain and discomfort.

Can constipation lead to other problems?

Severe cases of constipation can lead to faecal impaction, which can cause diarrhoea and require medication to treat it. A doctor might even have to remove the impacted stools manually.

There’s also a link between constipation and haemorrhoids, a condition that is caused by high levels of pressure in the anus.^[3] It causes the tissue in and around the anus to swell, which can lead to bleeding, pain and discomfort. Haemorrhoids can be treated with medication, non-invasive hospital procedures and in some severe cases surgery may be required.