How can I relieve constipation quickly at home?

Short-term relief usually involves gentle measures such as increasing fluid intake, using warm drinks, adding fibre gradually, walking or light movement, and in some cases using a mild osmotic laxative like macrogol under guidance. If pain, bleeding or persistent symptoms occur, you should seek medical advice rather than repeatedly self-treating.

Constipation Treatment in Dubai | Chronic Constipation Specialist

Q: Why do some people get constipated while others do not?

The colon is designed to absorb water. The longer stool stays inside the large bowel, the more water is removed and the harder and drier it becomes. On top of that, factors such as low fibre intake, dehydration, medications and slow bowel transit all increase the chance of constipation in some people more than others.

Q: What are the new laxative options for chronic constipation?

Beyond traditional stimulant and osmotic laxatives, newer prescription options for chronic constipation include secretagogues such as linaclotide and lubiprostone, and prokinetic agents such as prucalopride. These medicines act on fluid secretion and bowel motility and can be very helpful for the right patient after specialist assessment.

Q: Can thyroid problems cause constipation?

Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) is a well-recognised cause of constipation. It slows many body processes, including gut motility. For this reason thyroid function tests are often part of the blood work-up when a patient presents with chronic constipation.

Q: When should I see a gastroenterologist for constipation in Dubai?

You should see a gastroenterologist if constipation is persistent, is associated with abdominal pain or bloating, there is any rectal bleeding, weight loss, change in stool calibre, or a family history of bowel disease. You should also seek advice if standard home measures and over-the-counter remedies are not helping.

Q: Is there an expert for treatment of constipation in Dubai?

There are several specialists who manage constipation in Dubai. Dr Pranab Gyawali is a UK-trained consultant gastroenterologist with over 25 years of experience, and is very familiar with modern approaches to chronic constipation, IBS-C and complex bowel motility problems. He combines lifestyle, dietary and microbiome-focused care with evidence-based medications and appropriate investigations.

Why do some people get constipated while others seem completely fine? A big part of the answer lies in how the colon works. Its main job is to absorb water – so the longer stool stays in the bowel, the more water is removed and the harder and drier it becomes. That is when you start to feel bloated, sluggish and uncomfortable.

I’m Dr Pranab Gyawali, consultant gastroenterologist practising in Dubai. I see constipation every day – from simple, short-term problems to chronic constipation linked with conditions such as IBS-C, thyroid disease or inflammatory bowel disease. This page explains why constipation happens, when it needs investigation, and the treatment options I use in Dubai.

Why Some People Get Constipation

Why Constipation Happens in the First Place

The large intestine (colon) forms the last part of the digestive tract. As partly digested food passes through the colon, water and salts are absorbed. If the passage is slow, more water is absorbed and stool becomes progressively firmer: softer and mushier in the right (ascending) colon, more formed in the transverse and descending colon, and often pellet-like by the time it reaches the sigmoid colon and rectum.

Diagram of the colon showing soft stool in the ascending colon and harder stool in the sigmoid colon as water is absorbed. — As stool moves slowly through the colon, more water is absorbed – soft stool in the ascending colon can become hard and pellet-like in the sigmoid colon.

What Causes Constipation? The 5 Key Triggers

Lifestyle and Diet Factors

The most common causes I see in Dubai are related to lifestyle and diet:

Low fibre intake – few vegetables, fruits and whole grains.
Low fluid intake – particularly in hot weather, where mild dehydration is common.
Sedentary routine – long hours sitting at a desk or in a car.
Ignoring the urge – delaying going to the toilet regularly.

Medications That Can Lead to Constipation

Several medicines used commonly in Dubai can slow the bowel and cause constipation:

Painkillers, especially opioid-based medicines.
Iron tablets (often prescribed for iron deficiency or in pregnancy).
Certain antidepressants and other neurological medications.

Underlying Medical Conditions I Often See in Dubai

Sometimes constipation is a symptom of an underlying condition that needs to be addressed:

IBS-C treatment in Dubai – irritable bowel syndrome with constipation as the main bowel pattern.
Slow-transit constipation treatment – where the colon’s movement is sluggish and stool progresses very slowly.
Constipation and thyroid issues – particularly with underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism).
Constipation in patients with well-controlled Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.

In fact, even when inflammatory bowel disease is quiet, the bowel can sometimes become “too slow”. Just the other day in clinic, I started a patient with well-controlled ulcerative colitis on a gentle osmotic laxative. It is not unusual – the key is recognising it early and managing it appropriately.

Symptoms of Constipation and When to Worry

For many people, constipation simply means not going as often as usual. However, medically, we also think about:

Hard, dry or pellet-like stools.
Straining or feeling that emptying is incomplete.
Bloating, abdominal discomfort or pain.
A sense of “backed up” or sluggish bowels.

You should seek medical advice if constipation is:

Persistent over several weeks.
Associated with significant pain or bloating.
Accompanied by rectal bleeding or blood mixed with stool.
Linked with weight loss, fatigue or a change in stool shape or calibre.
Occurring in someone with a strong family history of bowel disease or polyps.

My Approach to Constipation Treatment in Dubai

Step 1 – How to Relieve Constipation Quickly (Foundational Care)

Treatment usually starts with simple, consistent measures:

Fibre – increased gradually through vegetables, fruits and whole grains.
Hydration – regular water intake, and sometimes warm drinks.
Movement – even daily walking can help stimulate the colon.
Bathroom habits – responding to the urge promptly and allowing unhurried toilet time.

Step 2 – New Laxative Options for Chronic Constipation

When lifestyle measures alone are not enough, we consider medication. Osmotic laxatives (such as macrogol/Movicol) draw water into the stool and are often a gentle first step. Stool softeners and suppositories may also be useful in selected cases.

For ongoing or more severe constipation, newer prescription options are available, including:

Secretagogues (e.g. linaclotide, lubiprostone) – which increase fluid in the bowel and ease passage of stool.
Prokinetic agents (e.g. prucalopride) – which stimulate bowel motility in slow-transit constipation.

I generally try to minimise long-term stimulant laxative use, but these newer agents can be genuinely helpful for the right patient after a proper assessment.

Step 3 – Advanced Diagnosis for Chronic Constipation

If constipation is persistent or severe, we may need to investigate further to understand what is happening:

Blood tests – including thyroid function, iron studies and other markers.
Colonoscopy – to exclude structural causes such as strictures, narrowing or polyps.
Transit studies – to assess how quickly or slowly stool moves through the colon.
Anal sphincter and pelvic floor evaluation – to look for dyssynergia or pelvic floor dysfunction.

Step 4 – Specialised Treatments for Complex Constipation

For a small number of patients with complex or structural problems, more specialised treatments may be needed. These can include:

Biofeedback therapy for pelvic floor dysfunction.
Specialised enemas or antegrade colonic enemas in selected cases.
Surgical options for severe, refractory slow-transit constipation or obstructed defaecation, after careful multidisciplinary assessment.

Not everyone will need this level of intervention, but it is important that chronic or complicated constipation is properly assessed so that the safest and most effective treatment plan can be chosen.

Frequently Asked Questions about Constipation in Dubai

Why do some people get constipated while others do not?

The colon’s job is to absorb water. When stool stays in the colon for longer, more water is removed and it becomes harder and drier. On top of this, low fibre intake, dehydration, medications and slow bowel transit all increase the chances of constipation in certain people.

How can I relieve constipation quickly?

In many cases, short-term relief comes from simple measures: drinking more water, using warm drinks, gentle movement, and – if needed – a mild osmotic laxative. However, if constipation keeps returning, it is safer to look for the cause rather than repeatedly treating the symptom.

What are the new laxative options for chronic constipation?

Newer medicines such as linaclotide, lubiprostone and prucalopride target fluid balance and motility in the bowel. They can be effective for chronic constipation and IBS-C, but should be prescribed after an assessment by a specialist who understands your overall health and bowel history.

Can constipation be related to IBS-C or slow-transit constipation?

Yes. IBS-C describes irritable bowel syndrome where constipation and abdominal discomfort are key features, often with symptom relief after a bowel movement. Slow-transit constipation is where the colon simply moves more slowly than usual. The treatment approach, and the need for tests, can differ between the two.

Can thyroid problems cause constipation?

An underactive thyroid is a common and often overlooked cause of constipation. It slows down the body’s metabolism and gut motility, which is why thyroid tests are part of the standard work-up for chronic constipation.

When should I see a gastroenterologist for constipation in Dubai?

You should see a gastroenterologist if constipation persists, is accompanied by pain, bloating, bleeding, weight loss or a change in your usual bowel habit, or if you have a family history of bowel disease. It is also sensible to seek advice if over-the-counter remedies are no longer helping.

Is there an expert for treatment of constipation in Dubai?

There are several doctors who treat constipation in Dubai. My own background is as a UK-trained consultant gastroenterologist with over 25 years of experience looking after patients with constipation, IBS-C and complex bowel motility problems. My approach is to combine careful assessment with practical lifestyle changes, microbiome-aware diet advice and evidence-based medications, so that treatment is tailored to each person rather than one-size-fits-all.

If constipation persists → get help.

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Constipation Treatment in Dubai – Why It Happens and How an Expert Gastroenterologist Can Help