If you are constipated, you have probably already heard the usual advice:
Eat more fibre. Drink more water. Exercise more.
For some people, that can work extremely well.
But what if you are already doing all of those things and you are still constipated?
Perhaps you wake every morning with a swollen, uncomfortable abdomen and a strong urge to go to the toilet. You manage to pass some stool, but never feel completely empty. Your stomach remains distended and uncomfortable for the rest of the day.
Perhaps you go every day, so you have never even considered yourself constipated.
Or perhaps increasing fibre actually makes your bloating worse.
A functional medicine approach to constipation looks at the different reasons why normal bowel function may have become disrupted.
Could stool be moving too slowly through the colon?
Could the pelvic-floor muscles be failing to relax properly when you try to go?
Could medication, thyroid function or another medical condition be contributing?
Are you eating too little fibre or could large amounts of fermentable fibre actually be aggravating your bloating?
And if constipation occurs together with significant bloating and trapped wind, could intestinal methane or intestinal methanogen overgrowth (IMO) be slowing intestinal transit?
Constipation is not one single condition.
Understanding which type of constipation you have can make a considerable difference to how it is approached.
What Is Constipation?
Most people think constipation means not going to the toilet often enough.
Frequency is certainly part of it, but constipation can also mean that bowel movements are simply difficult or incomplete.
Typical symptoms can include:
hard or pellet-like stools,
straining,
a feeling that you have not completely emptied,
a sensation that stool is stuck,
needing a long time on the toilet,
or having fewer than three spontaneous bowel movements per week.
Functional constipation is generally divided clinically into normal-transit constipation, slow-transit constipation and defecatory disorders, although these patterns can overlap.
This distinction is important because somebody whose colon moves too slowly may require a different approach from somebody whose bowel reaches the rectum normally but who cannot evacuate properly.
Can You Be Constipated If You Poo Every Day?
Absolutely.
This is something many people find surprising.
Imagine you open your bowels every morning, but you have to strain, only part of the stool comes out and you leave the bathroom still feeling full.
You may then remain bloated and uncomfortable for the rest of the day.
You are going every day — but you are not emptying effectively.
Incomplete evacuation is one of the recognised symptoms of functional constipation.
This is why asking only how many bowel movements somebody has each week can miss an important part of the picture.
Key questions I ask my patients are:
How easy is the stool to pass?
Do you have to strain?
Do you feel empty afterwards?
How long do you spend on the toilet?
Do you have the sensation that stool is physically stuck?
And what happens to your bloating once you have been?
Those questions can tell us much more about how the bowel is functioning.
Case Study: “I Go Every Morning, but I Never Feel Empty”
I had a patient, Lucy who described her symptoms like this:
“I am always constipated. Every morning I wake up and my stomach is very distended and feels full of stool. I have the urge to go to the toilet but I am never able to evacuate fully. My stomach then remains distended and bloated and I am usually unable to pass any more stool for the rest of the day.”
At first, Lucy might not appear constipated because they are technically having a bowel movement every morning.
But the important clue is incomplete evacuation.
Stool is reaching the rectum and creating the urge to go, but something may be interfering with effective emptying.
Several possibilities were considered.
One is pelvic-floor or defecatory dysfunction, where the muscles required to pass stool are not relaxing and coordinating properly.
Another possibility was slow intestinal transit, meaning that stool is accumulating because movement through the colon is sluggish.
But as there was considerable bloating and trapped wind alongside the constipation, I recommended investigating whether intestinal methane production was contributing to her symptoms.
And indeed she did conduct a Hydrogen and Methane breath test and the results were positive.
What Causes Chronic Constipation?
Constipation is usually multifactorial.
Potential contributors include diet, intestinal motility, medications, pelvic-floor coordination, metabolic conditions, neurological disease and changes in gut fermentation.
From a functional medicine perspective, I think it is helpful to investigate these possibilities systematically rather than assuming that every person with constipation has the same problem.
Slow Gut Motility and Constipation
The bowel is not simply a passive tube.
Muscular contractions move intestinal contents through the digestive tract and eventually through the colon.
If these movements become slower, stool remains in the large intestine for longer.
The colon absorbs water.
Therefore, the longer stool stays in the colon, the more water can be removed from it.
The result can be increasingly hard, dry stool that becomes difficult to pass.
This pattern is usually described as slow-transit constipation.
However, identifying slow transit should then lead to another question:
Why is the bowel moving slowly?
Possible contributors include medication, neurological conditions, physical inactivity, metabolic disorders and abnormalities in gut motility.
In some people, methane production within the intestine may also contribute.
Methane, IMO and Constipation
One of the areas I find particularly relevant in people with constipation accompanied by bloating and gas is intestinal methanogen overgrowth.
You may have heard this called methane SIBO.
Technically, intestinal methanogen overgrowth, or IMO, is a more accurate term.
Methane is produced predominantly by microorganisms called methanogens. These are not bacteria but belong to a group of microorganisms known as Archaea.
Methanogens can also live in both the small intestine and colon, which is another reason we no longer consider this simply a form of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth.
Methane production has been associated with constipation and slower intestinal transit.
Current breath-testing practice therefore measures methane alongside hydrogen when investigating suspected SIBO or IMO.
When Would I Consider IMO?
IMO becomes particularly interesting when I see a combination such as:
constipation,
prominent bloating,
trapped wind,
abdominal distension,
and sometimes worsening symptoms when highly fermentable foods or fibres are introduced.
If I supect IMO, I recommend that my patients use a breath test.
I have written extensively about symptoms such as constipation due to methane overgrowth.
Why Can Fibre Make Constipation Worse?
We have been taught that constipation equals fibre deficiency.
Sometimes it does.
Fibre increases stool bulk, can help retain water and provides substrate for beneficial intestinal microorganisms.
But the relationship is more complicated than simply “more is better”.
If you lready has very slow intestinal transit, adding substantial amounts of bulk may not correct the underlying motility problem.
Some fibres are also highly fermentable.
Gut microorganisms break these carbohydrates down and produce gases in the process.
If you already has bloating or excessive intestinal fermentation, rapidly increasing fermentable fibre can result in even more gas, pressure and abdominal distension.
This does not mean fibre should automatically be restricted.
Instead, I prefer to consider how much fibre my patients currently eat, which types they can tolerate,
whether they are increasing it gradually,
whether stool is actually hard or simply difficult to evacuate,
and whether bloating suggests another underlying problem.
The right fibre for the right person is more useful than simply recommending as much fibre as possible.
Could Your Pelvic Floor Be Causing Constipation?
This is one of the most important causes of constipation — and one that is easily missed.
To open your bowels normally, several muscles have to work together.
You generate pressure in the abdomen and rectum while muscles around the pelvic floor and anal canal relax.
In some people, that coordination does not happen properly.
Instead of relaxing, the muscles may remain contracted or paradoxically tighten when the person tries to push.
This is known as a defecatory disorder or dyssynergic defecation.
Symptoms can include:
feeling stool is stuck at the outlet,
incomplete evacuation,
significant straining,
spending a long time on the toilet,
needing repeated attempts to empty,
and sometimes needing to use the fingers or pressure around the pelvic floor to assist evacuation.
This distinction matters enormously.
If the primary problem is abnormal pelvic-floor coordination, simply increasing fibre or adding another supplement may not solve it.
Current gastroenterology guidance places considerable importance on anorectal manometry and balloon-expulsion testing in people with persistent constipation where a defecatory disorder is suspected. The AGA’s 2026 update also emphasises assessing and treating pelvic-floor dysfunction before constipation is described as truly refractory.
Other Causes of Constipation
Constipation can also occur secondary to another condition.
Potential contributors include hypothyroidism, diabetes, neurological disorders and abnormalities in calcium metabolism.
Medication should also be reviewed carefully.
Common culprits include opioid pain medication and some iron supplements, antidepressants and anticholinergic medications.
If constipation appeared after a new medication was started or the dose was increased, that is an important clue.
Stress, the Nervous System and Constipation
The digestive system has its own extensive nervous system, known as the enteric nervous system, and communicates continuously with the brain.
Stress can influence gastrointestinal sensation, motility and bowel habits.
Some people notice that their bowel becomes considerably slower during periods of anxiety or prolonged stress.
However, I would be cautious about telling someone that constipation is simply caused by “stress” or by an underactive vagus nerve.
Persistent constipation deserves proper assessment.
Stress management, relaxation, sleep and breathing techniques can certainly form part of a wider programme, particularly where symptoms clearly fluctuate with stress, but they should not replace investigation of slow transit, medication effects, IMO or a defecatory disorder when those are suspected.
What Tests Can Help Find the Cause of Constipation?
One of the principles I use in practice is:
A test should answer a question.
More testing is not automatically better.
The appropriate investigations depend on the symptoms and medical history.
Blood Tests
Blood testing may sometimes be appropriate when there are clinical reasons to investigate underlying conditions such as thyroid dysfunction, anaemia or abnormalities in calcium or glucose.
Hydrogen and Methane Breath Testing
Where constipation is accompanied by substantial bloating, gas or abdominal distension, hydrogen and methane breath testing can sometimes be useful.
The aim is not simply to determine whether somebody has “SIBO”.
Measuring methane can help identify a pattern consistent with intestinal methanogen overgrowth.
This can be particularly relevant in constipation because methane production is associated with slowed intestinal transit.
Anorectal Manometry and Balloon-Expulsion Testing
Where the main problem is:
incomplete evacuation,
significant straining,
the sensation of blockage,
or feeling that stool reaches the rectum but will not come out,
I would consider whether pelvic-floor assessment is more relevant than another microbiome test.
Anorectal manometry examines pressure and coordination within the rectum and anal canal.
A balloon-expulsion test assesses the ability to expel a small balloon from the rectum.
These can help identify defecatory disorders.
Colonic Transit Testing
If constipation remains persistent, specialist investigations can measure how quickly material passes through the colon.
This can help distinguish slow-transit constipation from normal transit and from problems predominantly involving evacuation.
What About Stool and Microbiome Testing?
Comprehensive stool tests can sometimes provide useful additional information about the gastrointestinal environment, including candida and parasites digestive markers, inflammation and friendly gut flora.
We offer comprehensive stool testing
A Functional Medicine Approach to Constipation
For me, functional medicine does not mean giving everyone a long supplement protocol.
It means trying to understand the physiology behind the symptom.
With constipation, I therefore want to build a picture.
I want to know what the stool looks like.
How often you go.
Whether you strain.
Whether you feel empty.
Whether you have bloating or trapped wind.
Whether fibre improves or worsens symptoms.
Whether there is an urge but an inability to evacuate.
Whether medication could be contributing.
Whether your symptoms began after illness, antibiotics or another significant change.
Whether there are signs suggesting IMO.
And whether a pelvic-floor problem needs to be investigated.
Once we have that information, treatment becomes much more individual.
Diet for Constipation: Where Should You Start?
There is no single constipation diet.
But there are some useful principles.
For uncomplicated constipation, increasing plant foods and appropriate fibre can help.
Good sources include:
vegetables,
fruit,
oats,
pulses,
nuts,
seeds,
whole grains,
flaxseed,
and psyllium.
The important word is appropriate.
Someone who eats very little fibre and has small, hard stools may benefit enormously from gradually increasing it.
Someone who already eats 30–40 g of fibre every day, is extremely bloated and feels unable to empty may need a completely different strategy.
Kiwifruit and Constipation
Kiwifruit deserves particular attention because it has surprisingly good clinical evidence.
An international multicentre randomised trial involving people with functional constipation and IBS-C found that eating two green kiwifruit each day improved complete spontaneous bowel movements and gastrointestinal comfort.
Other trials have also shown benefits from gold kiwifruit.
Kiwifruit contains fibre but also water, polyphenols and the enzyme actinidin, so its effect may not be explained by fibre alone.
For people who tolerate it, it can be a very practical food-based intervention.
Flaxseed for Constipation
Ground flaxseed — or linseed — is another food I frequently consider.
It contains both soluble and insoluble fibre and forms a gel when mixed with liquid.
This can help increase stool bulk while retaining moisture.
In a randomised study of 90 adults with functional constipation, flaxseed flour increased bowel frequency and improved constipation scores over four weeks.
Other randomised research has also found improvements in constipation symptoms with flaxseed.
I normally prefer fibre to be increased gradually, particularly in somebody who already experiences considerable bloating.
Does Drinking More Water Help Constipation?
Yes — if you need more water.
Hydration is important because dehydrated stool becomes harder to pass.
Fluid is also particularly important when fibre intake is being increased.
However, if somebody is already adequately hydrated, drinking litres and litres of extra water is unlikely to correct:
a pelvic-floor disorder,
significant slow-transit constipation,
or methane-associated constipation.
Water matters.
But it is rarely the whole explanation.
Magnesium for Constipation
Magnesium can be particularly useful for people whose stool is hard or difficult to pass.
Certain magnesium salts have an osmotic effect, meaning that they retain water within the intestine.
This can soften stool and help increase bowel movements.
Magnesium oxide is specifically included in the joint American Gastroenterological Association and American College of Gastroenterology guideline for chronic idiopathic constipation.
The recommendation is conditional, whereas stronger recommendations were made for polyethylene glycol and several prescription treatments.
Magnesium citrate is also commonly used in clinical practice for its stool-softening properties, although evidence should not automatically be extrapolated from one magnesium preparation to every other form.
Too much magnesium can cause diarrhoea, urgency and abdominal cramping.
Particular caution is required in people with significant kidney impairment.
Can Vitamin C Help Constipation?
Vitamin C is sometimes used as a gentle osmotic strategy.
There is a limit to how much vitamin C can be absorbed from the intestine.
At higher intakes, unabsorbed vitamin C remains in the intestinal lumen and can draw water into the bowel.
This is why taking too much vitamin C can result in loose stools or diarrhoea.
Some people deliberately make use of this effect when constipated.
However, I would not describe vitamin C as an evidence-based primary treatment for chronic constipation.
Evidence is stronger for interventions such as appropriate fibre, polyethylene glycol, magnesium oxide and several prescription medications.
Vitamin C may be a useful adjunct in selected people rather than the answer to persistent constipation.
Which Probiotics May Help Constipation?
Probiotics are one of the areas where marketing frequently gets ahead of the science.
It is not enough for a product simply to contain Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium.
Probiotic effects are strain specific.
This means research on one bacterial strain cannot automatically be applied to another strain from the same species.
Limosilactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938
One strain I find particularly interesting in constipation is Limosilactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938, previously known as Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938.
Studies in adults with functional constipation have suggested improvements in bowel frequency and some constipation symptoms.
There is also an intriguing methane connection.
A small retrospective study investigated 20 constipated adults who produced methane on lactulose breath testing.
After four weeks of L. reuteri DSM 17938, average methane production fell from approximately 20.8 ppm to 8.9 ppm.
Methane became undetectable according to the study’s threshold in 11 of the 20 participants.
This is interesting — but it is important not to exaggerate what it tells us.
The study involved only 20 people, was retrospective rather than a large randomised controlled trial and used a methane threshold that differs from contemporary IMO interpretation.
It therefore does not prove that L. reuteri treats IMO.
It simply provides an interesting signal that deserves further investigation.
Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis HN019
HN019 has historically been promoted for bowel regularity and intestinal transit.
Some earlier studies were encouraging.
However, more recent larger clinical trials have been considerably less convincing, with no clear improvement in the primary constipation outcome compared with placebo.
I therefore would not describe HN019 as a guaranteed constipation treatment.
This is a good example of why probiotic recommendations should evolve as newer research becomes available.
Lacticaseibacillus paracasei Shirota
The probiotic traditionally known as Lactobacillus casei Shirota is now classified as Lacticaseibacillus paracasei Shirota.
Some clinical studies have reported improvements in constipation symptoms and stool consistency, although results have not been consistent across all trials.
Again, choosing the exact strain is much more meaningful than simply choosing the probiotic containing the highest number of billions.
What About Saccharomyces boulardii?
Saccharomyces boulardii is a beneficial probiotic yeast rather than a bacterium.
It has considerably stronger evidence for conditions such as antibiotic-associated diarrhoea than for chronic constipation.
I would therefore not choose S. boulardii primarily because someone is constipated.
It may have other uses within an individual gut programme, but constipation alone is not its strongest indication.
Exercise and Gut Motility
Movement can support bowel function.
For somebody who spends much of the day sitting, even something as straightforward as regular walking may help.
Exercise should not be thought of as a cure for serious slow-transit constipation or pelvic-floor dysfunction.
But regular physical activity is a sensible component of a broader constipation programme.
Walking after meals can be particularly easy to incorporate into everyday life.
Bowel Routine and the Gastrocolic Reflex
The bowel naturally becomes more active following a meal through something known as the gastrocolic reflex.
This response is often strongest after breakfast.
For this reason, allowing yourself time to use the toilet after breakfast rather than repeatedly ignoring the urge to go can sometimes help establish a better bowel routine.
Try to avoid sitting and straining for long periods.
A small footstool that raises the knees above the hips can also place the pelvis in a more favourable position for evacuation.
But if you continually feel that stool is stuck despite changing position, I would investigate rather than simply push harder.
Are Laxatives Bad for You?
Laxatives have an important role in constipation management.
They should not automatically be regarded as harmful.
Different laxatives work in different ways.
Polyethylene Glycol / Macrogol
Polyethylene glycol, known commonly as macrogol in the UK, is an osmotic laxative.
It retains water within the bowel and helps soften stool.
It has strong guideline support for chronic idiopathic constipation.
Lactulose
Lactulose also draws water into the intestine.
However, it is fermented by intestinal microorganisms.
For some people, particularly those already struggling with bloating and gas, this fermentation can increase symptoms.
Stimulant Laxatives
Stimulant laxatives include bisacodyl, sodium picosulfate and senna.
They stimulate intestinal secretion and bowel activity.
Common side effects of laxatives can include:
abdominal cramping,
bloating,
urgency,
and diarrhoea.
Excessive use can also contribute to dehydration or electrolyte abnormalities.
However, claims that appropriately used laxatives inevitably “damage” or permanently “weaken” the bowel are too simplistic.
The 2023 AGA/ACG guideline gives strong recommendations to polyethylene glycol and sodium picosulfate/bisacodyl in appropriate adults and conditional recommendations for fibre, lactulose, senna and magnesium oxide.
The more interesting question is therefore:
Why does somebody continually need the laxative?
Sometimes the answer is simply chronic idiopathic constipation.
But sometimes there is a treatable contributor such as medication, pelvic-floor dysfunction or methane-associated constipation that also deserves attention.
What Is Prucalopride?
Prucalopride is different from a conventional laxative.
It is a selective 5-HT4 serotonin receptor agonist and acts as a prokinetic medication.
In simple terms, it helps stimulate propulsive movement through the colon.
It can therefore be particularly useful where impaired intestinal motility is part of the constipation picture.
Prucalopride receives a strong recommendation in the AGA/ACG guideline for adults with chronic idiopathic constipation who have not responded adequately to over-the-counter treatment.
Potential side effects include headache, nausea, abdominal discomfort and diarrhoea, particularly when treatment is first started.
Prucalopride is prescribed medically.
For the right patient it can be extremely useful.
I do not see medication and a functional medicine approach as mutually exclusive.
Sometimes the most sensible approach is to use an effective medical treatment while simultaneously addressing diet, bowel routine and other identifiable contributors.
When Should Constipation Be Medically Investigated?
Constipation should not automatically be assumed to be a functional problem.
Seek medical advice if there has been a significant unexplained change in bowel habits, particularly with:
rectal bleeding,
unexplained weight loss,
anaemia,
persistent or severe abdominal pain,
or vomiting.
If severe abdominal pain occurs together with significant swelling and an inability to pass either stool or wind, urgent medical assessment is required.
How I Approach Constipation
When someone comes to see me with constipation, my first question is not:
“Which supplement should we use?”
It is:
“Why might your bowel not be functioning normally?”
We look at the pattern in detail.
Are stools hard?
Are they infrequent?
Is there an urge but an inability to empty?
Is bloating the dominant symptom?
Does fibre make things worse?
Did symptoms begin after medication, illness or antibiotic treatment?
Could intestinal methane be contributing?
Could a pelvic-floor problem be involved?
Would conventional medical testing be more appropriate before considering functional testing?
This allows us to build a much more individualised plan.
For one person, relatively simple measures such as flaxseed, kiwifruit, fluid and movement may make a substantial difference.
Another person may require investigation for intestinal methanogen overgrowth.
Someone who goes every morning but cannot empty may benefit more from assessment for a defecatory disorder than from another probiotic.
And somebody with significant slow-transit constipation may require conventional gastroenterology treatment or medication such as prucalopride.
The aim is not simply to make the bowel move today.
It is to understand why constipation is happening and what can realistically be changed.
When Might a Consultation Be Helpful?
You may wish to consider a consultation if you have persistent constipation despite trying the usual advice, particularly if you also experience:
significant bloating,
trapped wind,
incomplete evacuation,
constipation despite eating plenty of fibre,
suspected methane SIBO or IMO,
or digestive symptoms that repeatedly return.
We can review your symptoms, diet, medications, previous investigations and bowel pattern and consider whether further testing — including hydrogen and methane breath testing where appropriate — may help.
The aim is not to order unnecessary tests or give everybody the same supplement programme.
It is to identify the most likely contributors to your constipation and create a practical, individual strategy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Functional Medicine and Constipation
What does functional medicine recommend for constipation?
There is no single functional medicine treatment for constipation. A useful approach first considers the type of constipation and potential contributors, including stool consistency, fibre intake, hydration, intestinal motility, medications, pelvic-floor function and, in selected people, methane/IMO. Treatment can then be individualised.
Can you be constipated even if you poo every day?
Yes. Daily bowel movements do not necessarily mean that the bowel is emptying normally. Persistent straining, hard stools, a sensation of blockage or incomplete evacuation can all occur despite going every day.
Why am I constipated even though I eat healthily?
A healthy diet does not prevent every cause of constipation. Slow intestinal transit, medication, pelvic-floor dysfunction, methane production and certain medical conditions can all contribute even in someone eating a high-quality diet.
Why does eating more fibre make my constipation and bloating worse?
Some fibres are highly fermentable and can increase gas production. Large increases in fibre may therefore worsen bloating in susceptible people. Fibre can also increase stool bulk without correcting an underlying evacuation or motility problem.
Can methane SIBO cause constipation?
Higher intestinal methane production is associated with constipation and slower intestinal transit. The preferred term is intestinal methanogen overgrowth, or IMO, because methane-producing methanogens are Archaea rather than bacteria and can occur throughout the intestinal tract.
What tests are used for constipation?
Depending on the symptoms, investigations may include selected blood tests, hydrogen and methane breath testing, anorectal manometry, balloon-expulsion testing and colonic transit studies. Not everybody requires all of these tests.
Which magnesium is best for constipation?
Magnesium oxide has specific clinical-trial evidence and is included in constipation treatment guidelines. Magnesium citrate is also frequently used because of its osmotic stool-softening effect. The most appropriate product and amount depends on the individual.
Does flaxseed help constipation?
Yes, there is clinical evidence supporting flaxseed. Randomised trials have found improvements in bowel frequency, stool consistency and constipation symptoms. Ground flaxseed is generally easier to incorporate into the diet than whole seeds.
Is kiwi good for constipation?
Yes. Several randomised clinical trials have found that regular kiwifruit consumption can improve bowel frequency and gastrointestinal comfort in people with functional constipation or IBS-C.
Which probiotic is best for constipation?
There is no universally “best” constipation probiotic. Effects are strain specific. L. reuteri DSM 17938 is one strain with interesting clinical data, while evidence for other commonly recommended strains such as HN019 is inconsistent.
Can L. reuteri reduce methane?
A small retrospective study found a substantial reduction in breath methane after four weeks of L. reuteri DSM 17938. However, the study involved only 20 people, so this is preliminary evidence rather than proof that the probiotic treats intestinal methanogen overgrowth.
Is it bad to take laxatives regularly?
Not necessarily. Several laxatives have evidence supporting longer-term management of chronic constipation. The appropriate treatment depends on the person, and persistent symptoms should still be assessed to determine whether another contributor is present.
What is the difference between constipation and incomplete evacuation?
Someone with constipation may have infrequent stools, hard stools, straining or difficulty passing stool. Incomplete evacuation specifically describes the persistent sensation that stool remains after a bowel movement. It can sometimes be associated with a defecatory or pelvic-floor disorder.
When should constipation be investigated urgently?
Seek urgent medical assessment for severe abdominal pain associated with vomiting, marked abdominal swelling or inability to pass stool or wind. Rectal bleeding, unexplained weight loss, anaemia or a significant unexplained change in bowel habits should also be medically assessed.
Disclaimer
This article is for educational purposes and is not intended to diagnose or treat a medical condition or replace advice from your GP, gastroenterologist or other healthcare professional.
Persistent or unexplained constipation should be medically assessed, particularly if accompanied by rectal bleeding, unexplained weight loss, anaemia, severe or worsening abdominal pain, vomiting or a significant change in bowel habit.
Supplements, probiotics and dietary interventions are not appropriate for everybody and may interact with medication or medical conditions. Testing and supplementation should therefore be considered in the context of your individual health history.
References
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