Why constipation happens and tips on relief, from what to eat and drink to staying on the move
There are few things more frustrating than not being able to go when you really need to go. We spoke to a doctor, a dietitian and a nutritionist on the causes of constipation and the best ways to stay regular
Despite the modern-day scourge of too much fast food, constipation is by no means a contemporary affliction. It has dogged humanity for centuries.
It was described on Egyptian papyrus texts, with relief prescribed in the form of castor oil, aloe and senna. The Greeks advised on various means to evacuate the intestine, including a large square-shaped syringe to perform enemas.
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In the 16th and 17th centuries, sufferers dealt with the problem by swallowing capsules of antimony, a metallic chemical. These irritated the gut as they passed through the intestine, acting as a purgative. They could also – both helpfully and economically – be fished out of the chamber pot, washed and reused, giving them the name Perpetual Pills.
These pills were treated as family heirlooms; after quite literally passing through one generation, they were passed on to the next. And they could pass through generations speedily – antimony is toxic (it is believed Mozart died as a result of his habit of drinking a hangover cure containing antimony).
While many of the roots of constipation remain unchanged today, the cures prescribed, thankfully, are much more safe and efficient.
