Constipation
Constipation
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Definition
General Information
Lifestyle Causes
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When to Call Your Doctor |
Call Your Doctor Now (night or day) If |
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Call Your Doctor Within 24 Hours (between 9 am and 4 pm) If |
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Call Your Doctor During Weekday Office Hours If |
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Self Care at Home If |
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HOME CARE ADVICE FOR MILD CONSTIPATION |
General Constipation Instructions:
Eat a high fiber diet.
Drink adequate liquids.
Exercise regularly (even a daily 15 minute walk!).
Get into a rhythm - try to have a BM at the same time each day.
Don't ignore your body's signals to have a BM.
Avoid enemas and stimulant laxatives.
High Fiber Diet: A high fiber diet will help improve your intestinal function and soften your BM's. The fiber works by holding more water in your stools.
Try to eat fresh fruit and vegetables at each meal (peas, prunes, citrus, apples, beans, corn).
Eat more grain foods (bran flakes, bran muffins, graham crackers, oatmeal, brown rice, and whole wheat bread). Popcorn is a source of fiber.
Liquids: Adequate liquid intake is important to keep your BM's soft.
Drink 6-8 glasses of water a day (Caution: certain medical conditions require fluid restriction).
Prune juice is a natural laxative.
Avoid alcohol.
Get into a rhythm:
Try to have a BM at the same time every day. The best time is about 30-60 minutes after breakfast or another meal (Reason: natural increased intestinal activity).
Don't ignore your body's signals to have a BM.
Bulk Laxatives:
Metamucil (psyllium fiber): One teaspoon (5 cc) in a glass of water twice daily.
Bulk-forming agents works like fiber to help soften the stools and improve your intestinal function. Long-term use of this type of laxative is generally safe.
Side Effects: Mild gas or a bloating sensation may occur.
Read the package instructions thoroughly on all medications that you use.
Osmotic Laxatives:
Miralax (polyethylene glycol 3350): Miralax is an "osmotic" agent which means that it binds water and causes water to be retained within the stool. You can use this laxative to treat occasional constipation. Do not use for more than 2 weeks without approval from your doctor. Generally, Miralax produces a bowel movement in 1 to 3 days. Side effects include diarrhea (especially at higher doses). If you are pregnant, discuss with your doctor before using. Available in the United States.
Milk of Magnesia (magnesium hydroxide): This is a mild and generally safe laxative. You can use Milk of Magnesia for short-term treatment of constipation. (Research suggests that Miralax may be more effective.) Dosage is 2 tablespoons (30 ml) PO. Do not use if you have kidney disease.
Read the package instructions thoroughly on all medications that you use.
Sitz Bath for Rectal Pain due to Constipation:
Take a twenty-minute bath in warm water (2 oz baking soda per tub). This is also called a "Sitz bath."
A Sitz Bath may help relax the anal sphincter and release the bowel movement.
If the Sitz bath does not work, try 1 or 2 glycerin rectal suppositories, which you can get over-the-counter.
Enemas: Should be used rarely and only after other measures have not worked.
Call Your Doctor If:
Constipation continues (i.e., less than 3 BM's / week or straining more than 25% of the time) after following care advice for constipation for 2 weeks
You become worse
And remember, contact your doctor if you develop any of the "Call Your Doctor" symptoms.
Updated:  
March 22, 2017