Introduction: Constipation and Natural Remedies for Constipation
Constipation commonly refers to infrequent bowel movements, but it may also refer to a decrease in the volume or weight of stool, the need to strain to have a movement, a sense of incomplete evacuation, or the need for enemas, suppositories or laxatives in order to maintain regularity. There may be several, possibly simultaneous causes for constipation, including inadequate fiber and fluid intake, a sedentary lifestyle, and environmental changes. There are many natural remedies for constipation described here. Constipation may be aggravated by travel, pregnancy or change in diet. It can be successfully treated by a number of options as described below.
Constipation and Exercise:
Encourage exercise daily and utilize physical therapy services if deconditioning is a factor for inadequate activity levels. See aerobic exercise and resistance training sections in Preventive Health Advisor for further information.
Constipation and Fluid Intake:
Unless fluid restriction is necessary, increase water intake throughout the day to change urine color from yellow to slight hint of yellow shade with urination. Water intake should be at minimum of 1-2 liters daily.
Constipation and Daily Regularity:
Bowel movement regularity is generally established naturally by the body at the same time daily or sometimes every other day. Patients should be encouraged to attempt bowel movements at approximately the same time every day and establish timed toilet training. Patients should be educated to attempt a bowel movement at least twice a day, 30 minutes after meals, and should not strain more than five minutes.
Laxative Choices in Constipation:
Initial laxative choice should include the bulk forming fiber supplements psyllium ( Metamucil®), glucomannan, calcium polycarbophil (FiberCon®), methylcellulose (Citrucel®), wheat dextran (Benefiber®), or bran. If response to these fiber laxatives fail, the next choice is
an osmotic laxative, polyethylene glycol (Miralax) preferred at a dose of 17-34 grams in liquid of choice daily. Other osmotic laxatives include sorbitol and lactulose. Sorbitol is better tolerated than lactulose, is less expensive and is similarly efficacious. Magnesium citrate is also a reasonable second choice. The next choice would be a stimulant laxative such as senna or bisacodyl. A stool softener may benefit patients which typically experience hard impacted stool or hard pellet-type stool. Suppositories with glycerin or enemas with tap water or sodium phosphate would be the next choice.
Fiber Treatment of Constipation:
To help treat and prevent constipation, patients should be advised to start a high-fiber diet which should include 20 to 25 grams of fiber per day. Increase fiber in the form of fruits and vegetables throughout the day.
A Superior Fiber, Laxative and Stool Softener for Constipation:
Psyllium husk is a naturally derived fiber which may be used to reliably and routinely add enough fiber to the diet over simply increasing high fiber foods to produce constipation relief. Psyllium may also be used to produce more immediate results until dietary habits with higher fiber intake are established.
