Relieving constipation in adults and babies often involves dietary interventions like prune juice, olive oil, and fiber powders. Learn the differences between laxatives and stool softeners for safe, effective relief.
Constipation is a common digestive ailment that results when a person has infrequent or difficult bowel movements. Bowel movements vary between individuals; however, constipation is generally classified as having fewer than three bowel movements a week with excretions consisting of small, hard stools.
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For years, bacteria have been added to milk products to create yogurt. These bacteria are not harmful to your body, but instead help to create the consistency and flavor you enjoy in yogurt. One example of a bacteria-containing yogurt is Activia.
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Even if you don't have chronic constipation, you’ve probably experienced random bouts of bowel irregularity. The food you eat, the medications you take and the amount of time you spend moving your body can all affect digestion, as can anxiety and illness. Drinking apple juice may provide some relief.
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Fiber bars contain ingredients such as dried fruit, bran, granola, rolled wheat, seeds and psyllium fiber. These ingredients provide several health benefits, including improving satiety, keeping blood glucose stable and improving bowel movements.
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High-fiber fruits act as natural laxatives when you experience mild irregularity. Safer and less habit-forming than drugstore laxatives, fruit also gives you the essential nutrients you need for a healthy diet.
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Constipation occurs when you go an abnormally long period of time without a bowel movement. Constipation can be caused by a lack of fiber in your diet, as a result of dehydration or due to certain medications. One treatment for constipation is magnesium citrate, a laxative that can be purchased without a prescription.
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The National Institutes of Health defines constipation as having a bowel movement fewer than three times per week. People with constipation typically report dry, hard, compact stools that are difficult to eliminate.
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Metamucil, or psyllium, is a bulk-forming fiber laxative. This medication absorbs water in the intestines to create a softer bulkier stool that is easier to pass, states Drugs.com. Metamucil is recommended for patients with constipation, but may also be used to lower cholesterol levels.
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If you have to strain on the toilet to have a bowel movement or if you have a bowel movement fewer than three times a week, you may be one of the 4 million Americans that regularly suffer from constipation.
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Dulcolax, known generically as bisacodyl, may be used to stimulate the movement of the bowels and is sold over the counter, meaning no prescription is necessary. Dulcolax also may be used before a colonoscopy, surgery, X-rays and other intestinal type procedures performed at a physician’s recommendation.
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When your baby is constipated, you want to do whatever you can to make her feel better. If your infant has trouble passing stools, talk to her pediatrician. Some doctors may suggest giving your infant a small amount of water to help ease the passage of stools.
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Every child differs in regularity. If you notice your toddler is having less frequent bowel movements than usual or expresses discomfort when passing stool, she might be constipated. Flaxseed meal and oil are natural treatments for constipation that many toddlers tolerate well.
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According to Drs. Michael Camilleri, M.D. and Joseph A. Murray, M.D. in the 2008 edition of “Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine,” chronic constipation afflicts nearly 20 percent of American adults.
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Much of what’s called “licorice” actually contains little to no licorice. Licorice, produced from the roots of the plant Glycyrrhiza glabra, contains the active ingredient glycyrrhizin, which has properties similar to aldosterone, a hormone released by the adrenal glands to regulate blood pressure.
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Although children have different bowel patterns, your child is considered to have constipation if she has difficulty passing stools or hasn’t been able to have three or more bowel movements a week, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. Large, dry, hard stools are also indicative of constipation.
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Your grandmother’s remedy for constipation – prunes – is still an effective remedy today. In fact, prunes may work better for alleviating this condition than fiber supplements like psyllium, according to a study reported in April 2011 in “Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics."
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The main ingredient in Metamucil, owned by Procter & Gamble, is psyllium husks. Psyllium fiber comes from the seed of the husk of plantago ovata, also called plantago isphagula, and is mainly present in bulk laxatives but now is also used as a non-systemic cholesterol-lowering agent.
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Increasing your fiber intake can have a positive impact on your health, but initially you may develop digestive side effects. Metamucil is brand of soluble-fiber products, including powder supplements, pills and wafers, that contain psyllium husk.
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Your coffee may greet you in the morning and get you through the day. However, depending on how much coffee you drink and how sensitive you are to caffeine, you may experience side effects that are not so pleasant.
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Constipation is a common gastrointestinal problem, especially among women and adults age 65 and older. In many cases, you can reduce and prevent constipation by consuming more fiber, which is found in fruits such as kiwis.
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