How can I relieve my constipation?
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Dr. Amir Bastawrous of Swedish answered:Dietary fiber, or bran, consists of nondigestible plant products, which should be part of a healthy diet and can help relieve constipation. The amount of dietary fiber can be readily increased by use of a fiber supplement, such as Konsyl.
Though often referred to as bulk laxatives, fiber supplements are not laxatives at all, and are neither harmful nor habit-forming. Fiber has many beneficial effects in addition to the relief of constipation; it may help lower cholesterol, diminish the chance of polyps or cancer of the colon, and diminish the frequency and severity of symptoms in individuals with diverticular disease, irritable bowel syndrome, or hemorrhoids.Helpful? 2 people found this helpfulDietary fiber, or bran, consists of nondigestible plant products, which should be part of a healthy diet and can help relieve constipation. The amount of dietary fiber can be readily increased by use of a fiber supplement, such as Konsyl.Though... More -
Dr. Lawrence Friedman answered:People suffering from constipation should start by boosting fiber and fluid intake and increasing physical exercise. Drinking more fluids may reduce the need for the colon to rehydrate stools and is, in any case, harmless. Exercise, which is widely believed to promote regularity (although few studies have investigated this), has many other health benefits as well.
Bowel training is another option. In order to retrain your bowel, you attempt to defecate at a regular time each day, when bowel movements are most likely to occur (first thing in the morning, following exercise, or after a meal, for example). The idea is to repeat the routine until the body adopts the bowel movement as part of its daily rhythm. Although bowel training is harmless and does help some people, it has not been widely tested.Helpful? 1 person found this helpfulPeople suffering from constipation should start by boosting fiber and fluid intake and increasing physical exercise. Drinking more fluids may reduce the need for the colon to rehydrate stools and is, in any case, harmless. Exercise, which is widely... More -
Shelley Peterman Schwarz answered:To relieve constipation:
- Drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water every day.
- Add one cup of unprocessed bran cereal to your daily diet or add bran powder to non-bran cereals, applesauce, or soup.
- Sit comfortably on a low commode with knees drawn up to help the abdominal muscles pass the stool.
- Discuss other possible remedies with your doctor; this is important because the frequent use of laxatives, suppositories, and enemas can cause additional health problems.
To relieve constipation: Drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water every day. Add one cup of unprocessed bran cereal to your daily diet or add bran powder to non-bran cereals, applesauce, or soup. Sit comfortably on a low commode with knees... More -
Dr. Khalouck Abdrabbo of Sanford Health answered:Constipation is slow moving feces through the intestine that is hard and difficult to pass. Constipation can be relieved from increasing fluid intake, as well as increasing fiber (increase fiber slowly to prevent bloating). Exercising regularly can also help the bowels to move regularly. Taking over the counter products such as stool softeners or Miralax can also aid in passing the stool. These products work best if used regularly.
Constipation is slow moving feces through the intestine that is hard and difficult to pass. Constipation can be relieved from increasing fluid intake, as well as increasing fiber (increase fiber slowly to prevent bloating). Exercising regularly can... More -
RealAge answered:Gradually increasing your dietary fiber and fluid intake should be your first line of treatment for constipation. The extra fiber will help keep things moving because fiber absorbs water and swells in the bowel, creating bulkier stools, which stimulate the contractions in the bowel that push stool along. If dietary measures alone aren't sufficient, nutritional supplementation, over-the-counter laxatives, and bulk-forming fiber supplements are also effective forms of self-treatment.
Gradually increasing your dietary fiber and fluid intake should be your first line of treatment for constipation. The extra fiber will help keep things moving because fiber absorbs water and swells in the bowel, creating bulkier stools, which... More
