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DownloadMany things cause constipation, such as:
Constipation can make it painful to pass stool and may make you bloated, sluggish or have stomach cramps. You are more likely to develop other problems, such as haemorrhoids or piles (swollen blood vessels in your back passage).
Rarely, stool can block your bowels. This is known as faecal impaction and can cause abdominal pain, confusion or lead to problems passing urine.
Constipation can also contribute to urinary incontinence by
There are a number of ways that you can prevent or treat constipation.
General support
• For general medical advice please use the NHS website, the NHS 111 service, walk-in-centres, or your GP.
• NHS website provides online health information and guidance
• There are walk-in and urgent treatment services at Brighton Station, Crawley Urgent Treatment Centre, Lewes Victoria Hospital, Horsham Minor Injuries Unit and Bognor Regis War Memorial Hospital.It is important to drink well to ensure your urine is light (unless you have a restriction to your fluid intake for example due to heart failure).
The information in this article is for guidance purposes only and is in no way intended to replace professional clinical advice by a qualified practitioner.
Publication Date: July 2022
Review Date: April 2025