constipation

Everyday

Constipation is when you can't poo easily or often, because your poo is hard and dry. tree →

In the lessons

In health lessons pupils learn that drinking water, eating fruit, vegetables and fibre, and being active help prevent constipation. In everyday life it can cause tummy ache. Phrases: suffer from constipation, be constipated.

Examples

• Constipation can give you a tummy ache. tree →
• Eating fruit and vegetables helps stop constipation. tree →
• Drink plenty of water to avoid constipation. tree →
• The doctor said the boy had constipation. tree →
• Fibre in bread and beans helps prevent constipation. tree →
• Being active helps with constipation too. tree →

Note

Uncountable: constipation. Adjective: constipated (I feel constipated). Trap: in Spanish, constipado means having a cold, not constipation. Tell a grown-up or doctor if it lasts or really hurts.