How do you fight constipation?

Answer 1

I put on my gloves and give it the old one-two.

You have to keep your guard up, constipation has been known to fight dirty.

Answer 2

I have to take a lot of medications and a lot of them cause constipation. A nurse once told me that the GI track is last on the list of the body’s systems that gets water. So you need to increase the water intake. If your urine comes out pale yellow then you are receiving enough water, if it is darker then you should increase the water intake. If it comes out clear then you are getting more than enough water.

Prune Juice also has a liquefying nature, which is why it is popular with older people. I have found that Fig Newton’s work well for me, and taste better.

You also need to increase the amount of fiber in your diet. Whole Grains and lettuce help. I take fiber pills myself. There are fiber sources that can be chewed, put into a drink, or just swallowed as pills. Fiber won’t hurt your stomach; it’s just more of the stuff that you normally eat.

Medically I have been prescribed Docusate Sodium; it is also available over the counter. It is a safer than laxatives for the long-term use. I have been taking it for years and I haven’t had any problems with it yet. You can also pick up an enema kit in the drug store. They work pretty promptly, and will give you stomach pain though.

A little GI bleeding is normal, but too much can cause problems. If the blood gets into the feces it’s clotting agents can make it hard. Then hard stools can cause tears in the GI track, which could cause more intestinal bleeding, and increase your problem. So prompt attention to this problem is necessary. If you see blood in your stools, or if you have tarry stools, or those with black streaks then that could be a sign of intestinal bleeding.

Check out this Wikipedia article for more information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constipation

Answer 3

Keep yourself well hydrated, drink lots of water, eat lots of fiber and grain and keep up a good exercise routine. Also know that too much cheese and certain medications will cause constipation, so if needed purchase an over the counter stool softener. If you are known to have problems with constipation on a regular basis mayber you should get some metamucil or generic brand of the powder that you just mix into a beverage each day.

Answer 4

Lots of fiber in your diet. Bran cereal for breakfast, for example. Follow a high fiber diet and you can usually eliminate constipation. If you are having current problems, I would suggest using a stool softener to begin with. Take at least three pills at night until you get relief. Constipation is painful. For overall prevention, diet with fiber, exercise and drink at least three large glasses of water a day. Fill your glass with ice, it's easier that way.

Answer 5

Drink a glass of metamucil every day. If you have other symptoms, perhaps you need to have your thyroid checked. Constipation is a common symptom of an underactive thyroid. Are you cold natured, and do you eat little but still gain weight? Do you get tired easily?

Answer 6

Prune Juice

Answer 7

Lots of fiber, water & real juice (none of that crap that contains tons of sugar or high fructose corn syrup). Try taking a stool softener to help but not too much. Whatever you do....DO NOT FORCE IT! It could cause a lot of pain, damage & bleeding.

Answer 8

I take 4 fiber geltabs in the morning and there are also these Metamucil bars that work very well. They taste pretty decent too.

Answer 9

You can add a little dark corn syrup to your diet. Mix it with sweet foods, or a drink like milk. Also I have heard of using soap shavings as suppositories...can't say if it will work or not.

Answer 10

1. Don't expect medication to solve the problem
2. Re: increase of fibre - easy way, become a vegetarian!
3. Re: increased exercise - easy way, renounce the car and become a cyclist!