What are some ways other than laxatives to help get rid of constipation?

Question

Laxatives bother my stomach ALOT, so they are out of the question.

Answer 1

Drink lots of water, eat lots of whole grain food and fresh fruits and veggies. You can also try Metamucil or a bulk fiber laxative. They aren't as stimulating as a regular laxative.

Answer 2

Yes, prune juice (yuk, lol) or you can try some over the counter fiber tablets. Take 2-3 a day or another fiber supplement. Also, there is something called Colace, or Pericolace. Not sure which is still available over the counter. Ask the pharmacist. Only one thing you need to know about taking fiber supplements is that you have to drink a lot of water with them. Can cause worse constipation if you don't. But the Colace is a softener, the pericolace has a bowel stimulant and stool softener in it, but not nearly as harsh as a laxative. Coffee works for some people though or any warm liquid in the morning with your fiber or Colace. Even hot cup of herbal tea.

Answer 3

If you become constipated, first see your doctor to rule out a more serious problem. If test results show no disease or blockage, and if your doctor approves, try these remedies:

¨ Increase fiber by eating more fresh fruits and vegetables, either cooked or raw, and more whole-grain cereals and breads. Dried fruit such as apricots, prunes, and figs are especially high in fiber.

¨ Drink plenty of liquids (1 to 2 quarts daily), unless you have heart, blood vessel, or kidney problems. (But keep in mind that some people can become constipated from drinking large amounts of milk.)

¨ Some doctors suggest adding small amounts of unprocessed bran (“miller’s bran”) to baked goods, cereals, and fruit. Some people suffer from bloating and gas for several weeks after adding bran to their diets. Make diet changes slowly to allow your digestive system to adapt. Remember, if your diet is well balanced and contains a variety of foods high in natural fiber, it may not be necessary to add bran to other foods.

¨ Stay active.

Do not expect to have a bowel movement every day or even every other day. Remember, being regular is different for each person. If your bowel movements are usually painless and occur regularly (whether 2 times a day or 3 times a week), you are probably not constipated.

If you still have concerns about constipation, check with your doctor to find out what you should do.

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Answer 4

Emptying of bowels is one of the functions that your body must undertake daily. When you find it difficult and painful to empty your bowels, it is called constipation. The common symptoms of constipation are: using force to empty the bowels, hard stools, partial emptying of bowels and emptying bowels 2 or less times per week. You experience bloating of the abdomen, pain in the stomach and diarrhea.

Constipation occurs due to improper functioning of bowel. The major causes of constipation are eating plenty of dairy products, insufficient intake of dietary fiber and water, sedentary lifestyle, overuse of laxatives and medications like antidepressants. Problems in nerve and muscle function of intestines can also play a role in constipation. If you are constipated once in a while, do not worry. But if you notice any long-term change in the bowel movement, get medical treatment immediately.

Answer 5

Drink a lot of water (6 to 8 glasses a day) and eat lots of fiber (fruits and veggies especially).

Laxatives are not a good thing for constipation. They are only a temporary fix and you can become dependent on them. I avoid them myself.

Answer 6

prune juice really does the trick... if you can get past the taste :) As well as coconut milk. Another good thing to do is just to drink lots of water every day to help prevent constipation because it helps provide adequate liquid for the soluble fibers to become absorbed and therefore travel through the colon easier.

Answer 7

prunes, raisons, prune juice, apple juice, apples, a whole lot of water, raw veggies, like carrots, broccoli, caulliflour. If all else fails you can take the stool softener called surfax, it will gradually begin to work without the side effects of the laxative. Lots of water should really help alot.

Answer 8

In the long term, you need to regulate your diet to ensure you get enough fibre rich foods.

Drink loads of fluids. Drink 3 - 4 lukewarm glasses of water the first thing in the morning - that works well as any laxative.

Answer 9

Prune juice, stewed prunes, fresh fruit, plenty of water, black licorice...also talk to your pharmacist. There are some good things on the market now that can be added to foods to increase your fiber and help this problem. Good luck...try www.gcn.com. They may have some "natural" ideas for you!

Answer 10

Try mixing a little mineral oil in a glass of juice. Also, Epsom salt boxes have a recipe on the side for this very problem.