If your system feels ‘bunged up’ and you find it hard to open your bowels, you’re probably suffering from constipation. This isn’t a serious digestive condition, but it can often be painful and uncomfortable. It’s also a fairly common complaint, so you don’t need to feel you’re alone. In fact, about 10% of the UK population is regularly constipated, rising to 20% in the elderly.

How do I know if I’ve got constipation?
If you don’t go to the toilet that often, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have constipation - because there’s no rule stating what a ‘normal’ frequency of bowel movements. Some people open their bowels as often as three times a day and others only three times a week. So, if going every other day is your norm, you only become constipated if this regular pattern changes and you start to go less frequently.

To find out more about why constipation happens and how you can treat it, simply click on the links on the left.

Once your food has passed through your stomach and the small intestine, all the vitamins, mineral and fats it contained have been absorbed by your body. At this point, it is in liquid form. It then passes to the large intestine where the water is absorbed and your waste food is turned into a solid (but moist) stool. When too much water is absorbed, your stools will become hard and compacted, leading to constipation. And the longer your stools stay in your large intestine, the more water is absorbed from them - and so the harder they become.

By understanding what’s actually happening to your body, it’s much easier to take control when you DO suffer from constipation.

Constipation is uncommon in children but if your child does have problems, discuss this with your pharmacist. There are certain treatments available for children and they will be able to advise on the right remedy.

There are four main types of constipation remedy (laxative) you can buy from the pharmacy:

Stimulants (bisacodyl and senna)
These increase the speed at which your stomach contents move through the bowel

Osmotics (mineral salts)
These help keep more water in your large intestine, so making your stools softer and easier to pass

Suppositories
These soften the stool and help stimulate the bowel into action

Bulk-forming laxatives (ispaghula husk, methlycellulose and sterculia)
These are fibre preparations which add bulk to the stools which make them softer and easier to pass.

A number of laxative products available over the counter are actually fibre-based and so are natural treatments. There are also some herbal remedies thought to aid constipation but the scientific evidence for their effectiveness is unclear. If you want to try a herbal alternative, consult a homeopath or a natural remedy retailer for further advice.

Laxatives are designed to aid digestion and the secretion of waste products from your system and should only be used when you are constipated. Some people find it tempting to use them as part of a diet, but prolonged use can harm your digestive system. If you find yourself using them often - or for the wrong reason - you should talk to your doctor.

If you don’t go to the toilet that often, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have constipation - because there’s no rule stating what a ‘normal’ frequency of bowel movements. Some people open their bowels as often as three times a day and others only three times a week. So, if going every other day is your norm, you only become constipated if this regular pattern changes and you start to go less frequently.