Treatment FAQ

what is constipation treatment

by Allen Reilly Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
image

Treatment for Constipation
  • Change what you eat and drink. Changing what you eat and drink may make your stools softer and easier to pass. ...
  • Get regular physical activity. ...
  • Try bowel training. ...
  • Stop taking certain medicines or dietary supplements. ...
  • Take over-the-counter medicines. ...
  • Prescription medicines. ...
  • Biofeedback therapy. ...
  • Surgery.

What is the best thing to relieve constipation?

Treatment. When nonpharmacologic management does not improve symptoms, then laxatives should be added to the management of constipation. The choice of initial laxative has been developed on the basis of whether constipation is “slow transit” or “normal transit.” 4 However, given the burden of radiographic testing and inconvenience to the patient, laxative therapy can …

How to make yourself poop immediately and relieve constipation?

Dec 09, 2021 · making changes in his or her diet to prevent constipation using an over-the-counter enema or laxative suggested by your child’s doctor having him or her take warm tub baths to soothe the area Changing your child’s bowel movement patterns and behaviors may help treat constipation. How do doctors treat the complications of constipation in children?

How to relieve and avoid constipation naturally?

Constipation occurs when bowel movements become less frequent and stools become difficult to pass. It happens most often due to changes in diet or routine, or due to inadequate intake of fiber. You should call your doctor if you have severe pain, blood in your stools, or constipation that lasts longer than three weeks.

How do you cure constipation?

May 13, 2020 · Some osmotics include: Magnesium hydroxide ( Milk of Magnesia) Magnesium citrate Lactulose ( Kristalose) Lactitol (Pizensy) Polyethylene glycol ( Miralax)

See more

Aug 31, 2021 · The following can help you avoid developing chronic constipation. Include plenty of high-fiber foods in your diet, including beans, vegetables, fruits, whole grain cereals and bran. Eat fewer foods with low amounts of fiber such as processed foods, and dairy and meat products. Drink plenty of fluids.

image

What is the best medication for constipation?

While all the new prescription products provide more treatment options, Wald says, most people don't need them. Instead, over-the-counter drugs such as polyethylene glycol (Miralax and generic), bisacodyl (Dulcolax laxative tablets and generic), or senna (Ex-Lax, Senokot, and generic) are a far better choice.Sep 26, 2021

How can constipated be cured?

Gradually increase the amount of fiber in your diet until you're getting at least 20 to 35 grams of fiber daily. Good sources include whole grains found in cereals, breads, and brown rice, beans, vegetables and fresh or dried fruits. Prunes and bran cereal are tried and true constipation remedies.Aug 20, 2020

Is banana good for constipation?

Bananas are a fairly good source of fiber, which may help relieve constipation in some people.Oct 10, 2019

What are the signs of constipation?

Constipation Signs and SymptomsThe inability to have a bowel movement for several days or passing hard, dry stools.Abdominal bloating, cramps or pain.Decreased appetite.Lethargy.

How to get rid of constipation?

Your doctor may recommend the following changes to relieve your constipation: Increase your fiber intake. Adding fiber to your diet increases the weight of your stool and speeds its passage through your intestines. Slowly begin to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables each day.

What tests are used to diagnose constipation?

In addition to a general physical exam and a digital rectal exam, doctors use the following tests and procedures to diagnose chronic constipation and try to find the cause: Blood tests. Your doctor will look for a systemic condition such as low thyroid (hypothyroidism) or high calcium levels. An X-ray.

Can you have surgery for constipation?

Surgery may be an option if you have tried other treatments and your chronic constipation is caused by a blockage, rectocele or stricture. For people who have tried other treatments without success and who have abnormally slow movement of stool through the colon, surgical removal of part of the colon may be an option.

What is the best way to soften stool?

Enemas and suppositories. Tap water enemas with or without soapsuds can be useful to soften stool and produce a bowel movement.

How does biofeedback help you pass poop?

Biofeedback training involves working with a therapist who uses devices to help you learn to relax and tighten the muscles in your pelvis. Relaxing your pelvic floor muscles at the right time during defecation can help you pass stool more easily.

How to get rid of a swollen intestine?

Slowly begin to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables each day. Choose whole-grain breads and cereals.

How to get rid of bloating and gas?

A sudden increase in the amount of fiber you eat can cause bloating and gas, so start slowly and work your way up to your goal over a few weeks. Exercise most days of the week. Physical activity increases muscle activity in your intestines. Try to fit in exercise most days of the week.

What is the best medicine for constipation?

These drugs include methylnaltrexone (Relistor) and naloxegol (Movantik.) Surgery for constipation treatment. Sometimes constipation is caused by a structural problem in your colon or rectum. Your colon may be blocked or unusually narrow, or you may have a partial collapse or a bulge in the wall of your rectum.

How to get rid of constipation fast?

Gradually increase the amount of fiber in your diet until you're getting at least 20 to 35 grams of fiber daily. Good sources include whole grains found in cereals, breads, and brown rice, beans, vegetables and fresh or dried fruits. Prunes and bran cereal are tried and true constipation remedies. Stay hydrated.

What are some foods that help with constipation?

Supplements or foods containing prebiotics, like bananas and oatmeal, and probiotics, like yogurt and fermented foods, may help.

How many people have constipation?

A lot of Americans -- more than 4 million by some estimates -- deal with constipation on a regular basis. Women have constipation more often than men. This may have to do with the slower movement of food through a woman's intestines, as well as with the effects of female hormones on the GI tract.

How many bowel movements do you have in a week?

According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, part of the National Institutes of Health, constipation is a condition in which you have fewer than three bowel movements in a week, and your stools are hard, dry, and small, making them painful and difficult to pass.

Can laxatives help with constipation?

Laxatives for constipation treatment. A box of laxatives shouldn' t be the first place you turn to relieve constipation. Reserve laxatives for constipation that doesn't improve after you've added fiber and water to your diet.

Can fiber supplements cause gas?

Although they are safe to use regularly, fiber supplements can interfere with your body's ability to absorb certain medicines, and they may cause bloating, cramps, and gas. Drink a lot of water with them. Lubricant laxatives, including Zymenol, help the stool pass more easily through the colon.

What are stimulant laxatives?

Stimulant laxatives vary widely in clinical effectiveness, and some patients with severe constipation are not helped by stimulant laxatives. Anthraquinones . Anthraquinones, such as cascara, senna, aloe, and frangula, are produced by a variety of plants.

Where does Ispaghula come from?

Ispaghula comes from an Asian plant that has high water-binding capacity and is fermented in the colon. In an observational study with psyllium, the response to treatment was poor among patients with slow colonic transit, whereas 85% of patients without abnormal physiology improved or became symptom-free.

Is peg good for constipation?

PEG has been shown to be effective in the treatment of chronic constipation. A study with 70 patients followed for 4 weeks treated with a PEG-electrolyte solution, 250 mL once or twice daily, there was marked improvement in bowel frequency, stool consistency, and straining on defecation.

Is peg better than lactulose?

The lowest dose of PEG produced the most normal stool consistency, whereas if PEG was used in higher doses it produced more liquid stools. Low-dose PEG has been shown in studies to be more effective than lactulose in the treatment of chronic constipation.

Does colchicine cause constipation?

Colchicine. Colchicine is commonly used for constipation in practice . Again though, there is limited evidence in the form of quality clinical trials to support its use. One study did demonstrate increased bowel movement frequency, but patients treated with colchicine had more abdominal pain than controls.

Is sodium picosulfate a laxative?

Like anthraquinones, the action of sodium picosulfate is confined to the colon, and its activity is unpredictable because its activation depends on the bacterial flora. The effects of bisacodyl, and presumably sodium picosulfate, on the colon are similar to those of the anthraquinone laxatives.

Where does castor oil come from?

Ricinoleic Acid (Bisacodyl and Castor Oil) . Castor oil comes from the castor bean. After oral ingestion, it is hydrolyzed by lipase in the small intestine to ricinoleic acid, which inhibits intestinal water absorption and stimulates intestinal motor function by damaging mucosal cells and releasing neurotransmitters.

How to help a child with constipation?

Changing your child’s bowel movement patterns and behaviors may help treat constipation . Ask your potty-trained child to use the toilet after meals to build a routine. Use a reward system when your child uses the bathroom regularly. Take a break from potty training until the constipation stops.

How to make your child's stools softer?

Changing what your child eats and drinks may make his or her stools softer and easier to pass. To help relieve symptoms, have him or her. Read about what your child should eat and drink to help relieve constipation. Have your child drink plenty of water and other liquids to help prevent constipation.

How to train a child to use the toilet?

Change your child’s behavior 1 Ask your potty-trained child to use the toilet after meals to build a routine. 2 Use a reward system when your child uses the bathroom regularly. 3 Take a break from potty training until the constipation stops.

Can you give a child a laxative?

You should not give a child a laxative unless told to do so by a doctor. If your child is taking an over-the-counter or prescription medicine or supplement that can cause constipation, your child’s doctor may recommend stopping it, changing the dose, or switching to a different one.

How to help with constipation?

Some recommendations to help relieve your constipation include: Drink two to four extra glasses of water a day. Avoid caffeine-containing drinks and alcohol, which can cause dehydration. Add fruits, vegetables whole grains and other high-fiber foods to your diet. Eat fewer high-fat foods, like meat, eggs and cheese.

What is the best medicine for constipation?

A few prescription drugs are available to treat constipation. These include lubiprostone (Amitiza®), prucalopride ( Prudac®, Motegrity®), plecanatide (Trulance®), lactulose (Cephulac®, Kristalose®) and linaclotide (Linzess®). Your doctor will pick the drug that might work best for you based on the results of your tests.

Why does my stool get hard?

If you have constipation, food may move too slowly through the digestive tract. This gives the colon more time – too much time – to absorb water from the waste. The stool becomes dry, hard, and difficult to push out. Pathway of food waste through colon, rectum and anus.

What causes constipation in the body?

Common lifestyle causes of constipation include: Eating foods low in fiber. Not drinking enough water ( dehydration ). Not getting enough exercise. Changes in your regular routine, such as traveling or eating or going to bed at different times. Eating large amounts of milk or cheese.

How many times a week do you have bowel movements?

However, how often you “go” varies widely from person to person. Some people have bowel movements several times a day while others have them only one to two times a week. Whatever your bowel movement pattern is, it’s unique and normal for you – as long ...

How many people see their doctor for constipation?

Constipation is one of the most frequent gastrointestinal complaints in the United States. At least 2.5 million people see their doctor each year due to constipation. People of all ages can have an occasional bout of constipation.

How long does constipation last?

You have severe pain with bowel movements. Your constipation has lasted more than three weeks. You have symptoms of outlet dysfunction constipation. Remember, talk openly and honestly with your doctor about your bowel movements and any questions or concerns you may have.

What is the best treatment for constipation?

Medications. If your constipation is caused by irritable bowel syndrome or chronic idiopathic constipation, your doctor may prescribe you a chloride channel activator such as lubiprostone ( Amitiza ). It works by turning on switches in your cells that tell more fluid to come into your gastrointestinal tract.

How to stop bowel movement?

If your constipation is caused by irritable bowel syndrome or chronic idiopathic constipation, your doctor may prescribe you a chloride channel activator such as lubiprostone ( Amitiza ). It works by turning on switches in your cells that tell more fluid to come into your gastrointestinal tract. That can help: 1 Ease stomach pain 2 Soften your stool 3 Keep you from needing to strain when you go 4 Increase the number of times you need to go to the bathroom

Can you take Cytotec while pregnant?

Depending on the cause of your constipation, your doctor may suggest one of these drugs: Misoprostol ( Cytotec) works as a stimulant to get your bowels working faster. You shouldn't take it if you're pregnant. Colchicine / probenecid ( Col-Probenecid) helps you have more bowel movements.

Can you take Senna for constipation?

Senna -sennosides oral ( Senokot) Laxatives aren't right for everyone with constipation. You should only use them under a doctor's care, for a short amount of time. They're not meant for long term (aside from fiber supplements, which add fiber to your diet). Taking laxatives for too long can cause other issues.

How to get rid of a swollen stomach?

our plate with lots of veggies, fruits, and whole grains and don't eat too many low-fiber foods like dairy and meat. Drink more water . Your digestive system needs water to help flush things out. Exercise. This helps the muscles in your digestive system work better, so solids can move through more smoothly.

How does a physical therapist help you relax?

Your physical therapist inserts a small tube called a catheter into your rectum. It measures muscle tension. As you go through the exercises, a machine can tell you when you're relaxed and when you've tightened your muscles. This can help you learn how to relax when you need to pass a stool.

Is constipation a chronic condition?

When constipation goes on for months at a time, it's considered chronic. Your doctor will need to find out what's causing it. But before they suggest medications to treat it, they may first suggest you make some changes in your daily life. They may recommend you:

How to prevent constipation?

Include plenty of high-fiber foods in your diet, including beans, vegetables, fruits, whole grain cereals and bran. Eat fewer foods with low amounts of fiber such as processed foods, and dairy and meat products. Drink plenty of fluids.

How to get rid of a swollen bowel?

Eat fewer foods with low amounts of fiber such as processed foods, and dairy and meat products. Drink plenty of fluids. Stay as active as possible and try to get regular exercise. Try to manage stress. Don't ignore the urge to pass stool. Try to create a regular schedule for bowel movements, especially after a meal.

Why is my stool hard and dry?

Causes. Constipation most commonly occurs when waste or stool moves too slowly through the digestive tract or cannot be eliminated effectively from the rectum, which may cause the stool to become hard and dry. Chronic constipation has many possible causes.

Can constipation cause bowel movement?

Though occasional constipation is very common, some people experience chronic constipation that can interfere with their ability to go about their daily tasks. Chronic constipation may also cause people to strain excessively in order to have a bowel movement.

image

Diagnosis

Treatment

Self-treatment: Self- care steps that may be helpful in some less- serious cases:
  • Regular exercise for example swimming, walks
  • Increase the content of fiber in food, choose higher fiber cereals and legumes
  • Desist from waiting or holding in the urge to defecate
  • Avoid processed or fast foods, white bread, doughnuts, pastries
  • Drink more fluids, especially water
  • Eat more fruits as they help relieve constipation. For those with edible skins, do not peel them as they are rich in fiber
See a doctor if you notice:
  • Abdominal pain and fever
  • That the last bowel movement was more than 3 days ago
  • Leaking stool
  • Recurrent bleeding from the rectum

See a doctor immediately if you notice:
  • Vomiting occurs and the vomitus has a bright yellow or green coloration (bile)
  • Vomiting and swelling or unusual abdominal distention
  • Severe pain in the rectum
  • Melena or black/tarry stool
  • There are no bowel movements at all

Clinical Trials

Alternative Medicine

Preparing For Your Appointment

  • Treatment for chronic constipation usually begins with diet and lifestyle changes meant to increase the speed at which stool moves through your intestines. If those changes don't help, your doctor may recommend medications or surgery.
See more on mayoclinic.org

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9