Constipation is a very common complaint that presents regularly in the pharmacy. If you have constipation you will experience a reduction in your normal bowel habit. This will be different for different people.
Constipation is more common in woman, especially in pregnancy, and also presents more frequently in children and older patients who may be taking constipating medications.
It can often be linked with haemorrhoids that can be painful and may even cause bleeding.
If you notice that you are bleeding regularly you need to mention this to your pharmacist who may direct you to consult with your GP.
What are the main symptoms of constipation?
The symptoms of constipation include changes in your usual bowel habit, stomach cramps, feeling bloated and possibly feeling sick.
As mentioned in a previous article on diarrhoea, if you have alternating constipation and diarrhoea you may have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) so make the pharmacist aware of your normal bowel habits.
What are the main causes of constipation?
A lack of fibre in the diet and being dehydrated are two of the main reasons why you may have constipation. Also, certain medications may cause constipation so it is important to make your pharmacist aware if you are taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines. Also, leading a sedentary lifestyle, i.e. not getting enough exercise, and ignoring the urge to go to the toilet can lead to constipation.
Going on holiday is often a time when people experience constipation. This may be due to a disruption of your normal routine, eating different foods or being on long journeys when you have to wait for long periods before going to the toilet.
Lifestyle modifications can you make to treat constipation?
Diet and lifestyle measures you can take to treat constipation include:
Eating more fruit and vegetables
Increasing consumption of cereals, wheat bran (high fibre foods)
Increasing fluid intake
Taking more exercise
What over-the-counter medications are available to treat constipation?
Bulk-forming laxatives act in the same way as if you increase the fibre in your diet.
They normally take a couple of days to have an effect and you should increase your fluid intake while on these preparations. Examples include the Fybogel range.
Stimulant laxatives are the fastest acting laxatives.
They increase the movement in your gut and may allow you to have a bowel movement within 12 hours. Dulco-lax and senokot are examples of these laxatives.
Osmotic laxatives including lactulose can be taken by all patient groups but can take up to 48 hours to have an effect.
Finally, Stool softeners promote easier defecation and may even stimulate a bowel movement.
If, after making the appropriate lifestyle changes and having tried a short course of laxatives, your constipation persists you may need to consult your GP to try to discover a cause.
When buying over-the-counter medication it is important that you make your pharmacist aware if you have any underlying medical conditions, if you are taking any other medication or complementary therapy, or if your symptoms persist.
Let your pharmacist know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding and always read the product information before taking the medication.
It is also important to keep all medicines out of sight and out of reach of children.
I'm keen to hear from YOU! If you have any comments or queries about this week's topic or if you would like to suggest a future health issue to be covered please email me at
philipcrilly@yahoo.co.uk
