Constipation

Name: Constipation
SKU: 148
Price: 35.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

From £35.00

Suffering from Constipation? Let us help you.

What is constipation?

When your stools (also known as faeces) do not travel through your digestive system properly, you will have constipation. The faeces spend to much time in the colon resulting in to much water being absorbed and they become hard and dry. This makes passing difficult, and at times unpleasant. It’s typically nothing to be concerned about, and it can usually be treated at home with easy dietary and lifestyle adjustments.

£35.00

What are the causes of Constipation?

The following are typical causes

Dietary Factors:

Low Fiber Intake: A diet low in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, which are rich in dietary fiber, can lead to constipation.
Inadequate Fluid Intake: Not drinking enough water or other fluids can cause stools to become hard and difficult to pass.
Excessive Dairy Products: Consuming large amounts of dairy products, such as cheese, can contribute to constipation in some individuals.

Lifestyle Factors:

Lack of Physical Activity: Sedentary behaviour can slow down the digestive system, leading to constipation.
Ignoring the Urge to Defecate: Regularly ignoring the urge to have a bowel movement can cause the body to stop signaling the need, leading to constipation.
Changes in Routine: Travel, changes in eating habits, or disruption of daily routine can lead to temporary constipation.

Medications:

Pain Relievers: Particularly opioids, can slow down bowel movements.
Antacids Containing Calcium or Aluminum: These can contribute to constipation.
Antidepressants: Certain types of antidepressants can have constipation as a side effect.
Iron Supplements: These can cause stools to become hard and difficult to pass.
Diuretics: These medications increase urine output and can lead to dehydration, which may cause constipation.

Medical Conditions:

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): A common disorder affecting the large intestine, which can cause symptoms like constipation, diarrhoea, or alternating between the two.
Hypothyroidism: An underactive thyroid gland can slow down the body’s metabolic processes, including digestion, leading to constipation.
Diabetes: Poorly controlled diabetes can damage the nerves that control the digestive tract, leading to constipation.
Neurological Disorders: Conditions like Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and spinal cord injuries can affect the nerves involved in bowel movements.
Colon or Rectal Blockages: Conditions such as colorectal cancer, anal fissures, or bowel obstruction can cause constipation by physically blocking the passage of stools.

Hormonal Changes:

Pregnancy: Hormonal changes during pregnancy can slow down the digestive system, leading to constipation.
Menopause: Hormonal fluctuations during menopause can affect bowel function.

What are the symptoms of constipation?

Constipation can manifest with a variety of symptoms, including:

Infrequent Bowel Movements: Fewer than three bowel movements per week.

Difficulty Passing Stool: Straining to have a bowel movement or experiencing a feeling of incomplete evacuation.

Hard or Lumpy Stools: Stools that are hard, dry, or lumpy, making them difficult to pass.

Abdominal Pain and Bloating: Cramping or a feeling of fullness in the abdomen.

Feeling of Rectal Blockage: A sensation that something is blocking the stool in the rectum.

Need for Manual Maneuvers: Using fingers to help remove stool from the rectum.

Nausea and Loss of Appetite: Sometimes associated with chronic constipation.

Is there treatment available for constipation?

Please speak to our clinician for advice and treatment. You can either choose the video or telephone consultation.

If you notice any of the symptoms below, you should see your GP as soon as possible:

Black stools

Always being tired

Fever and lower stomach aches, along with thin, or loose stools, as this could be a sign of diverticulitis or another bowel condition

Constipation after starting a new medication

Unexplained weight loss.

If you would like more information on constipation, please click the NHS link: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/constipation/

Constipation can also lead to haemorrhoids, please click the link to find out more: /product/haemorrhoids-piles/