Results

Cause of your symptoms

Your change in bowel habit may be related to changes in your life style and diet.

Advice

Try the simple treatments outlined below for two more weeks.

Treatments

Eat more roughage and if necessary try a laxative. A pharmacist could advise on suitable treatments.

What now?

If you get better nothing else needs to be done. However, if your constipation persist for two more weeks or recur after stopping treatment, see your GP.


Summary of your symptoms

Date checker completed: Friday 4th October 2024

You are less than 50 years old and have a change in bowel habit to decreased frequency and or to harder drier stools but no abdominal pain or rectal bleeding.

Additional information if you see your GP

Your GP will probably examine your tummy and back passage and do a blood test and if these are normal you are at low risk of having a serious bowel disease and it would be reasonable to advise a further period of treat, watch and wait. However, if your constipation does not settle completely you are likely to be referred to a routine hospital clinic for further investigations and advice on how to manage your constipation.

If you see your GP it might be helpful to take or email a copy of this page:
To obtain a digital copy of this page, please enter your email address.