CONSTIPATION
Dietary and lifestyle changes will
help relieve symptoms
of constipation and help prevent constipation from recurring.
| Diet A diet with enough fiber (20 to 35 grams each day) helps the body form soft, bulky stool. High-fiber foods include beans whole grains bran cereals fresh fruits vegetables asparagus cabbage, and carrots. For people prone to constipation, limit foods that have little or no fiber: ice cream cheese meat processed foods |
Lifestyle Changes Other changes that may help treat and prevent constipation include drinking enough water and other liquids, such as fruit and vegetable juices and clear soups, so as not to become dehydrated, engaging in daily exercise, and reserving enough time to have a bowel movement. In addition, the urge to have a bowel movement should not be ignored. |
Laxatives |
Prolonged or improper use of
constipation may result in an
electrolyte imbalance, too much or too little of certain nutrients.
Sometimes constipation can lead to hemorrhoids, caused by straining to have a
bowel movement, or anal fissures (tears in the skin around the anus) caused when
hard stool stretches the sphincter muscle. As a result, rectal bleeding may
occur, appearing as bright red streaks on the surface of the stool or observed
in the toilet. Treatment for hemorrhoids may include warm tub baths, ice packs,
and application of a special cream to the affected area. Treatment for anal
fissures may include stretching the sphincter muscle or surgically removing the
tissue or skin in the affected area.
Sometimes
straining causes a small amount of intestinal lining to push out from the anal
opening. This condition, known as rectal prolapse, may lead to secretion of
mucus from the anus. Usually eliminating the cause of the prolapse, such as
straining or coughing, is the only treatment necessary. Severe or chronic
prolapse requires surgery to strengthen and tighten the anal sphincter muscle or
to repair the prolapsed lining. Constipation may also cause hard stool to pack
the intestine and rectum so tightly that the normal pushing action of the colon
is not enough to expel the stool. This condition, called fecal impaction, occurs
most often in children and older adults. An impaction can be softened with
mineral oil taken by mouth and by an enema. After softening the impaction, the
doctor may break up and remove part of the hardened stool by inserting one or
two fingers into the anus.
Constipation affects almost everyone at one time or another. The most common
causes of constipation are poor diet and lack of exercise. Other causes of
constipation include medications, irritable bowel syndrome, abuse of laxatives,
and specific diseases. Eat a well-balanced, high-fiber diet that includes beans,
bran, whole grains, fresh fruits, and vegetables. Drink plenty of liquids.
Exercise regularly. Set aside time for undisturbed visits to the toilet.
Do not ignore the urge to have a bowel movement. Black, tarry stools
may indicate bleeding - whenever a significant or prolonged change in bowel
habits occurs, check with a doctor.
Most
people who are mildly constipated do not need laxatives. If constipated,
eat: prunes prune juice canned pears
mashed yams sweet potatoes Try Milk of
Magnesia. Only after trying these remedies should you
use laxatives like: Metamucil Bisacodyl (Duculax) Ex Lax
Colace Phillips MO. Follow directions.