For smooth passage bowel motions need to be large enough to help stimulate these gut contractions and also soft enough to slide easily along the bowel. An estimated 14 million sufferers in the UK are struggling with constipation. A lack of dietary fibre and liquid makes the motions dry and hard and difficult to pass. Christmas and summer holidays are times when many people become constipated, particularly if they travel to hot dry climates. Pregnant women, children and the elderly are more prone to constipation, as are people suffering with stress or depression.
Men suffer too but are less likely to admit it.
Apart from the obvious sign of not going at all, straining to pass a motion or passing only rabbit-pellet motions are good indicators. Stomach pains, bloating, wind, nausea, and a feeling of being under the weather, can all be due to constipation. If you're not going as you usually do then there's a good chance you're constipated. With this drink at least eight glasses of water a day. Fruit juice, especially prune juice is good for relieving constipation.