1 Eat more fibre
High-fibre foods give the bowels more to work on, so eat fruit, veg, bran, cereals, pasta, rice, nuts, seeds, oats, pulses and wholegrains.
2 Drink plenty
When dehydrated, the body absorbs water from the diet, making stools drier and harder to pass. Up your fluids.
3 Get more active
Immobility makes our bowels sluggish, too, so make an effort to be more active. Take more exercise, even if it’s only getting up and walking around more than usual.
4 Ask for advice
Your pharmacist can tell you whether your medication could cause constipation, and advise on laxative use. Consult your GP if your symptoms are new or persistent.…
