Constipation

Constipation is a common health condition where a person struggles to empty their bowels or doesn’t have regular bowel movements (3 times or less in a week).^1,2

Anyone can get constipation, but it might be worse for some people, for example people over 60. You should make a GP appointment if you have constipation that:

• Keeps coming back
• Isn’t going away after lifestyle changes or taking medication
• Is accompanied with blood in your stools, bloating or weight loss
• Is painful and causing discomfort.

These other symptoms can be a sign of an underlying health condition and need to be investigated properly so that you can get the right treatment for your needs.²

There are a lot of possible causes of constipation. These include:

• Not eating enough fibre
• Not drinking enough liquid
• Spending long periods of time sitting down or staying still
• Having an inactive lifestyle
• Stress, anxiety or depression
• Being pregnant
• Being female – hormonal changes can make constipation more likely
• Having a family history of constipation
• Having a history of sexual abuse.³

Constipation can cause a range of symptoms. You might find it difficult to go to the toilet or may have noticed that you’re only able to empty your bowels 3 or fewer times in a week.

Beyond this, you should look out for:

• Dry and lumpy bowel movements
• Lower abdominal pain
• Straining when you have a bowel movement
• Pain when you have a bowel movement
• Feeling bloated or nauseated.^1,4

These are all signs that you may have constipation or poor bowel movements.

Constipation can often be treated by making a few, simple lifestyle changes. Drinking more water, avoiding alcohol and adding more fibre to your diet can make it /easier for you to go to the toilet.

You should also try:

• Increasing the amount of exercise you do each week, gradually aiming for 150 minutes a week
• Resting your feet on a low stool when you go to the toilet to change the angle of your bowel
• Going to the toilet when you feel the urge to.^1,5
• Speak to your pharmacist or GP if you’ve tried to make changes but are still experiencing the symptoms of constipation.

You may be prescribed a laxative by your GP or pharmacist to help make bowel movements easier. If you have chronic constipation your doctor may recommend a procedure called disimpaction. This is where stool is removed from your bowel using a high dose laxative. They may also carry suggest an enema. This a technique that relies on fluid to clear the stool.^1,5

If you are caring for a vulnerable person (someone who isn’t able to look after themselves), you need to make sure they have regular bowel movements. It’s not always clear if a vulnerable person is having problems. However, the person you’re caring for might have constipation if they have:

• Confusion or delirium (sudden confusion)
• Nausea
• A loss of appetite
• Overflow diarrhoea, where your bowel begins to leak around the blockage
• Frequent urination (may be a sign that they can’t empty their bladder fully).⁴
• If the person you’re caring for needs help going to the toilet, it’s important to maintain their dignity.

The NHS has advice on how to care for individuals who need extra assistance with their personal hygiene needs. You can also look into using mobility aids to help people with immobility use the toilet with dignity.