Conditions
Constipation
Constipation is extremely common and can affect a broad range of ages. It is generally defined as a problem in opening the bowels, but it can also mean opening the bowels less often than normal (perhaps less than three times a week) or passing hard or pellet-like stools on more than a quarter of occasions. Cases range from the acute (occasional and temporary) to the chronic (persistent), and can be triggered by poor diet; irregular mealtimes, and certain medication (particularly codeine-based painkillers and antacids containing aluminium). There are no long term complications for anyone suffering from constipation, although it can be a symptom of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). And with all the eye-bulging straining on the throne, you may also end up with a case of piles or an anal fissure. Still, it’s nothing that a high-fibre diet and lots of fruit and vegetables can’t sort.
Comments
Please note: Unfortunately Channel 4 cannot respond to individual inquiries. If you have any concerns, you can check out the Channel 4 Health site or NHS Choices, but ultimately it is always best to check with a health professional.
I have been constipated for about four years and have noticed hard lumps on my vagina and a large hard lump between anus and vagina am very worried it could be somthing serious would appreciate advice
Ok, Firstly I find it so embrassing to go on about this. Lets start , I used to feel bloted most of the times but was ok going to the loo, now when i go to the loo its like i'm passing something massive but its small. lol I was taking to my mum about this and had a giggle over it. I'm 27 male. I just dont like the idea of going to the doctor as he may need to put his finger ( fingers ) inside me and thats way to personal contact for my liking. I've been using senekot or what ever you call them lol. But I just feel that going for a sxit is not as normal as befor…Do I have trapped wind or something,... what should I do….I am going to change my diet and eat more fruits and high fiber and see how and if it help's if not I will need to go get my doctor and have a chat about my ass! oh the joy!!!! :(
my son is only four and a half and has been suffereing for three years now we have tried laxative after laxative suppositries, went to see a pedeatrition who told me he had autistic tendencies, this has still not been sorted he at full time school now , but the only tests he has had is his stomach felt, it worries me
hiya i have always has problems with the toilet since i can remeber. i can sometimes for for 3 weeks without going and i am in so much pain i have tryed changin my food wt i eat an drink but it still doesnt help i have evan been the doc's but they wanted to put somethin in my bum an i said no. but wt else can i do??? please help me!! thanks xx
Can someone tell me how often is normal? I go once every 4 days, which until recently I thought was normal. Now after talking to other people who exclaimed when I said I go every 4 days I am concerned. My diet is a healthy balanced diet and I eat a lot of fruit. Occassionally I feel bloated and I have always had a 'tum'. Am I normal?
Hi I'm 16 years old and have suffered from severve constipation since I was 4. A very traumatic childhood led me to take control over the only thing I could which was my bowel movements. For 12 years now I have had very bad trouble going to the toilet and it is extremely embarressing. It governs my life every single day. Because the condition is mostly in my head I was always made to feel very embarressed and ashamed about my problem. At first when I was 4 years old I did it on purpose but 12 years later my bowels are trained and it is having huge effects on my health. My periods are worse, I suffer from obsesity, I'm constantly tired, sick and have almost a constant headache. I went to the doctors to see if there was actually a medical condition. The first time they laughed at me but about 2 years later the problem got so bad I had to go to hospital. I've recently had a sigmoidoscopy which was humiliating and am waiting to hear the results. In the meantime they have given me lactulose, movicol and another strong laxative I can't exactly remember the name of. I've been through councilling but I'm still terrified of passing a bowel movement. I fear the pain so badly it stops me going. I average about 1 or 2 bowel movements a month and they are usually extremely painful and unflushable. There is lts of blood and afterwards I have been known to faint, have shortness or breath and have extremely bad cramps in my legs and back.
I was wondering if there is anyone out there of a similar age who I can talk to about this. I feel so alone. People are trying to help me but they just dont know what it feels like. Please help! Sarah x
hi, for the past five years i have suffered from the same, no matter what medication, and all the tests, came up with nothing. they all came up with the same. WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS WRONG. I have tried everything movicol, picolax which worked temporarily herbal colonic irrigation, ChANGED MY DIET COMPLETLY
i eat lots of high fibre food and veg but i am still hving toilet troubles
I had constipation for 3 years and have litterally have just sorted it out, i have tried a range of medicines but mainly Movicol and Senokot. Movicol isnt a laxative, it is just a drink with salts that cannot be absorbed into the bowel so ur stools are soft.
I had to have an enima which was uncomfortable but it did work. Now i am going every day and sometimes every other day.
It was horrible and as i didnt go very often at all, i started to leak liquid poo into my underwear and i had to wear sanitary protection.
i had a bad case but i am glad that other people get it too, i found i was sort of scared of going in case it hurt and that was the problem!
i only tend to pooh about once every two weeks and i have been to my GP about it she give me some medicine and it didnt help what so ever. I am scared in case i have a bowle problem and dont want to go to my GP to get it checked out!
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