Constipation Treatment in Brisbane

If you have constipation, you may:

• Have hard, lumpy bowel motions
• Need to strain to pass a bowel motion
• Only pass a small amount when you go to the toilet
• Not have a bowel motion very often
• Feel as if you haven’t completely emptied your bowels after going to the toilet.

Constipation may be caused by:

• Not eating enough fibre, often found in fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains
• Not drinking enough water
• Being inactive
• Holding on for too long rather than going to the loo when needed
• Stress
• Pregnancy
• Certain medications (iron tablets are a common culprit)
• Medical conditions that cause a blockage or narrowing of the rectum or affect the nerves around the colon and rectum
• Pelvic muscle problems
• Digestive tract disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome, coeliac disease or diverticulitis.

• Asking you many questions about your symptoms, medical history and medications
• Feeling your abdomen
• Taking blood tests
• Colonoscopy to examine your colon and rectum
• A range of other tests depending on your presentation.

Treatment for constipation can involve:

• Improving your diet and activity levels to help speed up your digestion
• Going to the toilet when you feel the urge to pass a bowel motion
• Physiotherapy to improve your ability to control or relax your pelvic floor muscles
• Improved management of any underlying conditions that may be influencing your constipation
• Taking laxatives or other medications to make it easier to open your bowels.