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Different people experience constipation
in different ways. It's important to understand the nature of the
constipation you suffer, so that you can choose the solution that's best for
you. Dulcolax® always recommends that you speak to your health care
professional if you have any questions about your digestion, especially if
you experience any unexplained changes, or if you are in pain. |
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| The occasional problem: acute constipation |
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Acute constipation is constipation that is
temporary, occurs suddenly and is usually a reaction to a particular
cause.
The colon is a very sensitive organ and can react to many different external
influences by temporarily slowing or stopping its normal peristaltic motion.
This can happen when one experiences a change in lifestyle - such as going
on holiday or changing jobs or even a change in diet such as at Christmas
time. It can also happen when one takes a new medication as some medications
can cause constipation as a side effect. The colon also reacts to the body's
own hormones, so women often experience constipation problems around the
time of menstruation or their menopause. More seriously, constipation also
can occur as a result of a physical obstruction somewhere in your intestines.
If you are suffering from acute constipation, your body will very often be
able to return to a normal rhythm in a few days. If you feel the need for
support in bringing your colon back to its natural rhythm, Dulcolax®
laxatives can provide gentle yet effective relief from constipation. Please
refer to the "Dulcolax®" section of this website for more
information.
If you are experiencing stomach pains along with constipation, or if you
see traces of blood or mucus on your stools, please consult your health care
professional immediately. |
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| The persistent problem: chronic constipation |
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In some people, the colon is not able to
fully perform its task of digesting and eliminating waste matter as it
should. There can be a number of causes of this. Some diseases can cause
chronic constipation. Some illnesses such as high blood pressure, depression
or chronic pain, need to be treated with long-term medication that can also
slow the natural function of the colon. Sometimes, however, it is also
caused by elements of a person's lifestyle: a person with an office job, for
example, may not get the opportunity to exercise enough, and their colon
function may suffer as a result.
If you find that constipation persists for a longer time, e.g. for more than
one week, or returns soon after treating it, please see your doctor. It is
important to understand why your colon is not eliminating waste as it should,
and to find the best treatment. You doctor will be able to advise you about
the best treatment for you. |
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| Constipated or normal? What is regular
for you? |
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Sometimes, people worry about being
constipated, but in fact they are not constipated at all. It is simply the
body following its natural rhythm, which may include days of no bowel
movements. This is perfectly natural: it is not necessary to move your
bowels every day. Some healthy people only move their bowels three times a
week.
Sometimes after taking a laxative, such as Dulcolax®, you may experience some
time without needing to move your bowels. This is because the colon will
have been emptied of waste matter, after the laxative has taken effect. It
will usually require one to two days before the colon will need to eliminate
waste matter again. |
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>> What is normal?
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Daily? Several times a day? Or only a few times a week? Click here to read the answer to these important questions.
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