Tips On Relieving Constipation

Normal bowel habits vary from person to person. Some people go more than once a day; other people may only go every three days. Constipation occurs when there is a change in your normal pattern, causing you to go to the toilet less often.

If you are going to the toilet as often as usual but you are having difficulty passing stools because they are hard and small, this is also constipation. You may have to strain, which can cause bleeding or haemorrhoids (swollen veins in the anus, also known as piles).

The symptoms of constipation include:

• Less than 2 bowel movements/week.
• Pain in the rectum from the strain of trying to pass dry, hardened stools.
• Small bowel movements.
• A feeling of incomplete emptying or a sense of fullness in the back passage.
• Abdominal pain/cramps.
• Nausea.
• Headache.
• Furred tongue.
• Appetite may be suppressed.
• Abdominal bloating.
• Low back pain.
• Urination may be more frequent because of pressure on the bladder. In the case of chronic constipation, there may be involuntary release of urine (incontinence).