Constipation is a common condition where there is difficulty emptying the bowels.
Stomach ache and feeling bloated or sick are the usual symptoms, and there are many possible causes.
The most common causes are not eating enough fibre, not drinking enough fluids and ignoring the urge to go to the toilet.
But there are six things you can do to treat constipation, according to the NHS.
The first three are changes to your diet – you can make your poo softer and easier to pass by drinking plenty of fluids and avoiding alcohol, increasing the fibre in your diet and adding some wheat, bran, oats or linseed to your diet.
The next three are to do with increasing your activity and improving your toilet routine.
A daily walk or run can help you to poo more regularly, and keeping to a regular time and place and giving yourself plenty of time to use the toilet are both recommended. You should also not delay if you feel the urge to poo.
To make it easier to poo, try resting your feet on a low stool while going to the toilet. If possible, raise your knees above your hips.
If you are looking for medical advice, a pharmacist can offer their help. They can suggest a suitable laxative – a medicine that can help you poo more regularly.
Most laxatives work within three days and should only be used for a short time.
The NHS says laxatives are not recommended for children unless they are prescribed by a GP.
Prolonged constipation can result in haemorrhoids, also known as piles.
Piles does not always cause symptoms, and some people may not even know they have them. But for those who do experience discomfort there is treatment available and ways to prevent it from happening again.
The symptoms of piles includes bleeding after passing a stool, a lump hanging down outside of the anus, a mucus discharge after passing a stool and soreness, redness and swelling around the anus.
Small haemorrhoids can clear up without any help after a few days, but you should see your GP if you have persistent or severe symptoms.
But if you are looking for some home remedies, Boots Web MD recommends the following.
