Constipation and Bowel movement - PART - II

 

Constipation treatment

Most cases of constipation are easy to treat at home with diet and exercise. Some cases require doctor recommendations, prescription medicine, or a medical procedure.

 

At home treatment includes:

• Diet: Eating a healthy diet with fiber and drinking plenty of fluids (water is the most helpful) can usually clear up constipation.

ü  High fiber foods include beans, dried fruits, fresh fruits and vegetables, whole-grain foods (choose brown rice or whole wheat bread instead of white), flaxseed meal, and powdered products containing psyllium. For example, 3 cups of popped popcorn has a little more than 3 grams of fiber. One cup of oatmeal has 4 grams of fiber. Adding fiber to each meal and snack will help you reach your goal for the day. Fiber supplements are helpful. Processed foods, such as desserts and sugary drinks, only make constipation worse.

ü  Men over the age of 50 should get at least 38 grams of fiber per day.

ü  Women over 50 should get 25 grams per day.

ü  Children ages 1 to 3 should get 19 grams of fiber per day.

ü  Children between 4 and 8 years old should get 25 grams per day.

ü  Girls between 9 and 18 should get 26 grams of fiber each day. Boys of the same age range should get between 31 and 38 grams of fiber per day.

• Bowel training: Teach your children to go to the bathroom when they have to. Holding it can lead to constipation. This also may be necessary for your elderly parents, if you are caring for them.

• Laxatives: This is over-the-counter medicine that helps you have a bowel movement. Laxatives should only be used in rare instances. Do not use them on a regular basis. If you have to use a laxative, bulk-forming laxatives are best. These work naturally to add bulk and water to your stools so they can pass easily. Bulk-forming laxatives can cause some bloating (when your stomach feels full) and gas.

·        Doctor recommended treatments:

• Mineral oil: Do not use this without your doctor’s recommendation. Your doctor may recommend using it if you recently had surgery and should not strain for a bowel movement. Do not use it regularly. It causes your body to lose important vitamins A, D, E and K.

• Enema: This is a liquid medicine. It is inserted into your anus to help with constipation. It is often used after a surgery or before some medical procedures.

• Prescription medicine. Your doctor will prescribe a medicine based on the reason for your constipation.

• Medical procedures. This is done to help remove stool from the intestine.

• Surgery: This is rare. It might involve removing a damaged intestine for serious reasons.

GOOD NEWS - Natural Remedies

Making smart food choices and adopting good habits can make a difference. Foods high in fiber may help keep your bowels working regularly.

 

Choose a Variety of Foods with Dietary Fiber

Dietary fiber may help promote health in a variety of ways. Fiber may help manage both cholesterol and blood glucose levels. Fiber may also speed up the transit of stool through the digestive system, which can help keep you regular.

 

 

The daily recommendation for dietary fiber is 14 grams for every 1,000 calories, which is about 25 grams for women and 31 grams for men per day.

 

Sources of dietary fiber include:

- Fruits, such as blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, pears, apples with skin on, prunes (dried or

  stewed) and raisins.

• - Unsalted nuts and seeds, such as almonds, peanuts, pecans and walnuts, as well as 
•    pumpkin, sunflower, flax and chia seeds.
• - Vegetables, such as green peas, broccoli, sweet potato, winter squash and pumpkin.
• - Whole grain foods such as brown rice, whole grain bread and rolls, whole grain pastas,
•    wheat bran and bran cereals.

In contrast, a low fiber eating pattern may contribute to constipation. Foods low in dietary fiber include refined grains, such as white bread and rolls, white rice, spaghetti and other pastas, cereals and baked goods made from white flour.

 

Become a Label Reader:

The amount of fiber in foods is included on the food label under the “Carbohydrates” heading. Your goal is to eat 100% of the recommended daily value of fiber. When selecting products:

1. Aim for foods with over 5% daily value dietary fiber per serving.
2. High fiber foods contain 20% or more dietary fiber per serving.

Increase Your Fiber Intake Slowly

Adding fiber too quickly may cause abdominal discomfort. If you have not been eating foods high in fiber, slowly increase your fiber intake. Increase your fiber intake slowly across five days. Be careful not to increase it by more than 5 grams each day. Follow this practice until reaching your desired intake.

Pair High Fiber Foods with Fluids

Drink plenty of water or other unsweetened beverages throughout the day. Fluids help keep your stool soft, which makes them easier to pass. Including prune juice in your daily eating plan may also help keep you regular. Starting the day with a warm beverage can be helpful, too.

 

If you don't consume enough fluids, high fiber foods may increase your risk of constipation. How much fluid you need depends on many factors including your age, gender, activity level and the climate where you live.

 

Get Moving

Being active may also help to keep your bowel movements regular. Individuals who do not participate in regular physical activity may be more likely to become constipated. Short, 10 to 15 minute walks after each meal can help keep your bowels working normally.