Constipation
Constipation is common and it affects people of all ages. You can usually treat it at home with simple changes to your diet and lifestyle.
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Common Symptoms
- You have not had a poo at least three times in the last week
- The poo is large, dry, hard or lumpy
- You are in pain or straining when you have a poo
- You have stomach ache and feel bloated or sick
Treatment at home
- Make changes to your diet (drink fluids, avoid alcohol, increase fibre)
- Improve your toilet routine
- Consider increasing your activity
- Get an over the counter laxative (see your pharmacist)
When should I book a GP?
- are not improving with treatment
- are regularly constipated and it lasts a long time
- are bloated and it lasts a long time
- have blood in your poo
- have unexpectedly lost weight
- feel very tired all the time
- are taking medicine that’s causing constipation – such as opioid painkillers
