Part 6: Lifestyle Choices

Not drinking enough water is one of the most common causes of constipation.

Encourage your patient to increase their water intake to assist them to relieve and prevent constipation.

Physical activity helps the gut muscles to work harder to push out the stool.If the patient sits or lies for long periods, then standing up and walking will also enable gravity to assist them to pass a stool.

Lack of fibre in the diet is one of the most common causes of constipation. Encourage your patient to increase the amount of fibre in their diet.

High levels of fibre are found in vegetables, fruit, whole grain foods, legumes, nuts and seeds