Constipation

  • Make sure you have plenty of fibre (roughage) in your diet. Good sources of fibre include wholewheat breakfast cereals like Weetabix, Shredded Wheat, or muesli; wholemeal bread and flour; brown rice; wholemeal pasta; fresh fruit and vegetables with skins on.
  • Favourite natural remedies for constipation are syrup of figs, prunes and prune juice.
  • Make sure you drink plenty of fluids. Hot or cold drinks will be helpful. Aim to drink at least two litres a day.
  • Gentle exercise will help to keep your bowels moving.
  • If the constipation is due to medicines that you are taking (such as painkillers or anti-sickness drugs) you will need to take laxatives. Your doctor can prescribe these for you.

Condition-specific information

Further information on conditions that may be affecting you or those around you:

Support Groups

Visit the NHS inform Support Services Directory to search for local organisations that may help with the issues you are facing:

Last updated: 15 January 2012

This content was supplied by Macmillan Cancer Support.