Constipation is a common problem. It means either going to the toilet less often than usual to empty the bowels, or passing hard or painful stools or motions.
Known causes include the following:
- Not eating enough fibre (roughage) is a common cause. Fibre is the part of plant food that is digested. It remains in your gut. It adds bulk to the poo (faeces, stools or motions), and helps your bowels to work well. Foods high in fibre include: fruit, vegetables, cereals and wholemeal bread.
- Not drinking much may make Constipation worse. Stools are usually soft and easily passed if you enough fibre, and drink enough fluid. However, some people need more fibre and/or fluid than others in order to avoid Constipation.
- Some special slimming diets are low in fibre, and may cause
- Some medicines can cause Constipation , Abuse of laxatives, Calcium and Iron
- Various medical conditions can cause Constipation. For example, an underactive thyroid, irritable bowel syndrome, some gut disorders, and conditions that cause poor mobility, particularly in the elderly.
- Pregnancy. About 1 in 5 pregnant women will become constipated. It is due to the hormonal changes of pregnancy that slow down the gut movements.
- Psychological Disorders- Depression, Anxiety disorder.
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Smoking cessation
