Some people only pass a normal motion every couple of days while others may pass two or three a day. Constipation is almost always caused by a lack of dietary fibre in the diet. Irregular eating patterns and dieting add to the problem and help explain why constipation is common in women and teenage girls. Many women also become constipated just before their period and this may be due to the interactions between the female hormones and some of the hormones secreted by the gastrointestinal tract. It is also common in some elderly people with poor abdominal muscle tone.
Constipation is common in Australian children.
It can be avoided by increasing the fibre content of the diet and gently encouraging regular bowel habits. The exact amount of fibre depends upon the size and age of the child. If not, talk to your doctor or dietitian. The Gut Foundation, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick NSW 2031, also has move information. If food takes too long to pass along the intestine, they may undergo excessive fermentation, resulting in gas, pain and bloating.