Constipation is characterised by hard, dry bowel motions (stools) that may be difficult or painful to pass.

You may also be considered constipated if you’re experiencing fewer than three bowel movements a week, or have the feeling that not all of your bowel has properly emptied when you go to the toilet.

Other symptoms of constipation can include bloating, abdominal cramps, straining to pass stool and/or having to sit on the toilet for longer than usual to pass stool.

You can refer to the Bristol Stool Chart to see what a healthy bowel movement should look like.

Constipation can be caused by a number of different factors, however, some common ones include:

• Dehydration

• Not eating enough fibre

• Holding in a bowel movement/not going to the toilet when you need to

• Stress

• A change in routine

• Lack of exercise

• Medications

• Pregnancy

• Other health conditions and illness

If you’re experiencing ongoing, regular bouts of constipation it’s important you seek medical assistance from your GP as soon as possible to ensure it doesn’t cause any further health issues, such as faecal incontinence and haemorrhoids.

You can also try these tips, alongside your GP’s advice, to safely relieve constipation.

Drinking enough water has so many health benefits, including maintaining healthy bowel movements. Aiming to drink a minimum of 2-2.5 litres of water a day will ensure you’re helping your digestive system break down food in the gut.

The large intestine draws water out of the stool before it leaves the body. So the more dehydrated you are, the harder, drier and more difficult to pass your stool could be. So drink up!

Doing a poo in the correct posture can be a game-changer for constipation.

Using a toilet stool, also known as a squatty potty, helps get your body in the optimal position for passing stool. How, you ask? Well, it relaxes your puborectalis muscle and straightens out the colon, meaning the stool has a straighter, easier exit.

When you simply sit on the toilet normally, it actually keeps a kink in your lower bowel, which can lead to straining to get all the stool out. It can also lead to that feeling of incomplete emptying after using the toilet.

Fibre is extremely important for your gut health. Eating the right amount of fibre helps increase the size and softness of your stools so they’re easier to pass. This will ensure you have regular bowel movements and avoid constipation.

As for how much fibre is the right amount, generally speaking, it is 30g a day for men and 25g for women. For children, the general rule of thumb is taking their age and adding 10 to it, so if they’re five years, add 10, and then you’ll know they require around 15g of fibre daily.

Different medical conditions can alter a person’s required fibre intake so always speak to your GP and/or a dietitian to be sure what you’re consuming is right for you.

High fibre foods that can help relieve constipation include:

• Fruits like bananas, pears and apples

• Vegetables like leafy greens, carrots and broccoli

• Beans and lentils

• Brown rice

• Oats

• Chia seeds

• Nuts like walnuts, pecans and almonds

When upping your fibre intake to aid in relieving constipation, just make sure that you’re limiting any high-fat, processed foods rich in the likes of oil and butter.

These foods can slow down your digestion and reduce the frequency and ease of your bowel movements.

Avoid the likes of:

• Processed meats

• Cheese

• Fried foods

• Lollies and other processed snacks

A stool softener isn’t a long-term solution for constipation, but in the short term, it can be effective in relieving it.

Taken in a tablet or liquid form, stool softeners moisten the stool by pulling water from your intestines, making it easier to pass the stool from your body. This isn’t to be confused with a laxative, which stimulates and squeezes the intestines to force a bowel movement.