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 and Questions
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Please note: Unfortunately Channel 4 cannot respond to individual inquiries. If you have any concerns, you can check out NHS Choices, but ultimately it is always best to check with a health professional.
My anti depressant tablets cause me to be badly constipated. I eat wheat cereal for breakfast, 3/4 pieces of fruit per day for lunch with a wholemeal sandwich/roll, I swim once or twice per week and am a keen cyclist. Apart from this condition the tablets suit me. Is there anything I can buy from the chemist which would help but I wouldnt come to rely on. I have already had to have piles cauterized, I feel bloated and often have stomach pain.
my partner hasnt been a poo for 16 days , we have been to the hospital 3 times to be sent home with movicol, co , codomal , diclafenic, none of theses things are working . he is suffering abdominal pain . cramps backache ,,what do you suggest .
I would like to ask for your help. Since I was child I have problem with constipation and blown belly and cramps. I go usually wee 8-10 times a day but just once a week to poo. My tummy grows during the week and my skinn gets worst, sometimes I get headake and also I get very tired and feel like full of toxic. I tried everything possible - for example prunes, linseeds, aloe vera, diffrent teas, Kombucha, yogurt, cafe asw. I eat quite healthy, I eat every day fruit and vegetable and drink 1,5-2 l of water and green tea. I do also a bit work out, sometimes swimming or running. I was few years ago at my doctor but she just gave me advice what I had tryed already before. She didn´t send me for any speciall examination. I am just a little bit worried, because I´ll be next year 30, that it can cause in the future some bigger issue. My oncle got guts-cancer, my father got haemorrhoids and also my mother´s mum has the same problem like me all her life. I really would like to know why do I have this problem and if I can have one day nice flat tummy because whatever I eat my tummy is just bloating and hurts.
hi there, i have got IBS but i have been constipated for about a week and feeling bloated and really unconfitable and smelly. i have been to my GP and they have not helped :( its ruining my life and im really worried! hope from hearing from you.. thank you
I am suprised to see that people are asking questions but don't appear to receive answers from the site or anyone connected with the show. In fact, it looks like the answers are expected from other website users. It is not stated anywhere that this is the case - can you explain how this questions section works please as some people look like they need responses even if it is to go and see their GP.
I also have to push out my poo like the lady on the programme. I think there was a name for this condition. I would like to know what it is so I can get some treatment or advise from my G.P. I remember the lady had an operation which helped.
im 28 years of age 4 weeks ago i had my thitd child in 2 and half years since then iv noticed that im not going to empty my bowel as much as i should when i do go im etremely constipated very sore when passing and have noticed im bleeding a lot from my back passage enough for the water to be red im worried about this but to embarrasd to attend the doctors .
my daughter who is 11 has just been admitted to hospital today after being mucked about by doctors she should of been admitted last week but a different doc subscribed suppositories which she wouldnt even let mr try she has suffered from constipation since a baby but this is the longest period (4 wks +) we've done the usual lactulose,movitol etc:- hopefully they will find out why this happens as she always eats plenty of fruit and veg
my daughter is the same and was diagnosed with a slow large intestine on her 1st visit to a pediatritian. ask about it as soon as you can,
I have trouble when opening my bowels. No matter how hard I try I just cant push my poo out even though I can feel it just inside my anus. I have been left with having to put my fingers inside my anus to push my poo out that way. I usually wear gloves but I get very embarrased about this problem and I have feelings of shame too. Having to 'self-evacuate' happens every two out of three times when I open my bowels. I do have a relatively high fibre diet and I suffer from irritable bowel syndrone. Please can you help? Im too embarrased to tell my GP.
why is my poo black
your bowel might have slowed or stopped working as the doctor worried about this with my daughter. go to your gp and explain as it will only get worse if not treated. i hope this helps you.
I get constipated, sometimes the poos too big to flush down loo sometimes like rabbit droppings ,i can cope with tha wha bothers me is every now n then i get like jelly stuff on my poo or sometimes when i wipe my bottom theres a clump of white jelly stuff on the tissue ive been to doctors about it and they said it was nothin to worry about,
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The EB doctors have been looking at your comments and have answered some of the common questions below. Remember that it is always best to check with a health professional if you have any concerns about your health.