It may not be the sexiest of topics, but constipation affects MILLIONS of us and it really can be debilitating. We all feel better after a good morning poop, don’t we? I know you know!
On a serious note, being constipated can have a big impact on our health and quality of life. And if you think you’re alone, think again. The latest stats show…
- 1 in 7 adults and 1 in 3 children suffer from constipation at any one time.
- £168 million was spent by NHS in 2018-19 on treating constipation.
- 200K GP visits per week in the UK are about constipation.
- 211 people EVERY day are admitted to hospital in England for constipation, 3/4 of those are emergencies.
That’s why getting rid of the taboo and understanding our bowels better is SO important. We need to give our bowels just as much care and attention as we would our hearts and brains.
So what can you do if you’re suffering with constipation? There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, as it’s about finding your culprit – I talk you through this in my book with a full flow diagram (link in my bio ? ) personalizable just for you.
Here are some things to think about.
- Are you moving your body regularly?
- Are you drinking 2 litres of water a day?
- Are you getting 30g a day of fibre? What about the types of fibre, is it coming from wholegrains too? (there are good quality clinical trials supporting prunes, kiwi and psyllium husk- prescription detailed in the book)
- Are you getting your pooping position right for a smooth departure? Time to get squatting. (Something I was fortunate enough to demonstrate on @Chrisevanshowtowow podcast ?)
- Have you tried giving yourself a bowel massage? Try the step-by-step guide in my book.
It’s always best to be on the safe side, so remember to check-in with your GP if you’re seeing any blood in your poop, unintended weight loss, low iron levels, fever, family history or new symptoms if you’re over 50.
