regular constipation-the best way to handle it?

Answer 1

prunes, dried apricots, yogurt, apples with peel on, Bran flakes, bran muffins., wheat bread
LESS - white bread, sugar, pasta (whole wheat is ok)

basically, change eating habits.

Answer 2

Try to incorporate more fruits and vegetables, whole grains and other high fiber foods into your diet, like beans. You should be getting at least 25 grams of fiber a day. Along with the fiber you need to stay hydrated. I would drink at least 6 - 8 8 oz glasses of water a day or the equivalent of that. You should notice a big difference after you do this for about a week or so. If the constipation persists, I would see your doctor.

Answer 3

Drink 2 to 3 lit water per day. Do not drink 30 minutes before and 60 minutes after food. Take more of fibrous food. If you are a chapati eater, add two spoons of Castor oil while making the dough. Take two spoons of isabgol powder in milk with sugar for taste at bed time.

Answer 4

Prune Juice

Answer 5

Try adding fiber supplements to your diet.
You can get some in powder form, mix it into a glass of cold juice, and you're set.

Or possibly, take a look at what you've been eating. Make sure you're getting enough fiber from fruits and breads.

Answer 6

You have to increase your water intake, eat foods rich in fiber, exercise daily, and maintain a healthy diet. Following those natural tips may help you to correct the slow moving of foods through your digestive system.

Answer 7

Prunes and or prune juice and rhubarb.Eat plenty of fruit or mix in a blender all the types of fruit you can find or like and drink a glass full every morning.

Answer 8

Bowel movements may vary for each individual and across cultures depending on the intake of fibre in the diet. Normal bowel movements may vary from 3 per day to 3 per week. When a person has infrequent or hard stools or has to exert considerable effort while passing stool, he may be said to have constipation.

What are the causes?

Constipation may be due to various physiological and psychological conditions. Most people experience constipation that may be due to dietary changes, but this is temporary and corrects by itself. If it continues over a long period of time and recurs often, permanent dietary modification might be needed. Some of the common causes of constipation are:
Poor diet – diets rich in animal meats but low in fibre are the most common cause of constipation. Fibre helps bowel movements to be easy and regular.

Poor bowel habits - this is a common cause especially in children. Once children are toilet trained, they must be encouraged to go to the toilet regularly everyday. Adults usually suffer from the problem when they ignore the urge to evacuate over a long period of time. This may be because of lack of time or some other reason. After some time they stop getting the urge to use the toilet leading to progressive constipation.

Fissures or haemorrhoids– certain painful conditions like anal fissures or haemorrhoids may prevent a person from wanting to evacuate. Such people have chronic constipation.

Inadequate physical activity.

Hormonal changes as during pregnancy.

Anxiety, depression and other emotional conditions may sometimes cause constipation.

Medications – certain medications such as those given for pain relief, depression and some narcotics cause constipation.

Laxatives – many people who become used to taking laxatives for inducing bowel may become dependent on it and may have difficulty in evacuation without a laxative.

What are the symptoms?

The most common symptoms a person with constipation may experience are:
Infrequent passage of stool

Difficulty in bowel movement

Bloated feeling in the stomach after a meal

Feeling of incomplete evacuation

General feeling of discomfort and malaise.

How is it diagnosed?

There are no specific tests to diagnose constipation. The patient comes to know himself when he has trouble in passing stool. The doctor is then informed who will prescribe medications.

How is it treated?

The doctor will first try to identify an underlying cause. If none is found, then dietary changes are made so that the individual’s diet contains more fibre and fluid. He is encouraged to include leafy vegetables, fruits with skins and whole wheat flour (atta) in his diet. The person is advised to drink lots of water and juices, and to begin the day with a warm glass of water.

If the person is leading a sedentary lifestyle, the doctor will delineate an exercise regime to regulate activity of the alimentary tract. Bowel habits may also need to be improved to prevent another bout in the future.

In most cases of temporary constipation, the doctor may prescribe a laxative so that passage of stool becomes easier. This is also done in painful conditions like anal fissures and haemorrhoids. A balanced dietary pattern, regular exercise and good bowel habits will help to prevent constipation in the future. If there is an underlying cause for constipation, the treatment is directed towards it. In children, Hirschsprung's disease may need to be excluded. In the elderly, a recent change in bowel habits may be the first indication of cancer in the large intestines.
Dietary modifications

Fibre: The fibre intake should be increased. High fibre foods like whole grain cereals, whole dals, green leafy vegetables and fruits should be consumed in increased amounts.

Fats: Fatty foods are useful for some because of their lubricating effect and stimulating action on the mucous lining.

Fluids: it is advised to drink plenty of fluids as it helps to soften the stools. An intake of 8-10 glasses of water or fluids in a day is a must. A glass of lukewarm water with lemon juice taken early in the morning also helps.

Sample diet plan

Meal Menu
Early morning Warm water with lemon
Breakfast Milk / tea
Bread (preferably brown bread) with omelette / dalia / vegetable sandwich
Apple
Lunch 3 chapattis
Whole dal e.g. Rajmah, whole moong, kala chana etc
Carrot and peas subzi / mixed vegetable / any other subzi
Raita
Cucumber and tomato salad
Evening tea Tea / coffee / milk shake / lemonade
Fruit chat / sprouts chat
Dinner Vegetable soup
Vegetable noodles / vegetable pulav
2 chapatti
Peas and mushroom curry / whole dal
Mixed vegetable salad
Bedtime Milk


To remember



Eat lots of high fibre foods

Drink 8-10 glasses of water and fluids

Take laxatives if necessary, but do not develop a habit

Exercise

Avoid refined foods

Answer 9

a low dosage of laxitives may work, but a natural way is prune related foods, spinach, and fiber

Answer 10

Regular fibre.