Contents:
- What is Constipation?
- Constipation Causes and Remedies
- Best Thing for Constipation
- Best treatment for Constipation Caused by Medication
- Immediate Constipation Relief at Home
- Constipation Medicine for Adults
- Constipation Medicine for Kids
- When to Take Constipation Medicine?
- Conclusion
- Also Read About Shilajit Capsules and Multivitamin Capsules
What is Constipation?
Constipation is when you have trouble pooping. You might not be able to go at all or your poops might be hard and dry making them painful or difficult to pass. Constipation happens because as food moves through the digestive system, the body takes out water and nutrients. What’s left becomes poop. If too much water gets taken out, the poop gets dry and hard.
There are a few reasons why your body might be taking too much water out of the poop. Not drinking enough water is one cause. You need water in your body to keep poop soft. Certain medicines like pain pills or iron supplements can also lead to constipation by making the poop too dry. Some health problems like diabetes or thyroid issues can slow down digestion, and that allows more water to get absorbed leading to hard poop.
Lifestyle factors play a role too. Lack of exercise and movement means the muscles in the digestive system don’t contract as much to push poop along. That gives more time for water to get absorbed. Also, some people ignore the urge to go which allows the poop to get drier and harder in the colon. Stress and anxiety can also interfere with the nerves and muscles involved in pooping.
Symptoms of constipation include:
– Having fewer than 3 bowel movements per week
– Hard, dry, or lumpy poop that’s painful to pass
– Feeling like you still need go after pooping
– Straining or pushing hard to try to poop
If you have constipation once in a while it’s usually not serious. But ongoing chronic constipation can be painful and in rare cases may require hospitalization. So it’s important to treat it. Getting more exercise, eating more fiber, drinking more water, and going to the bathroom when you feel the urge can often help resolve constipation. Over-the-counter laxatives and stool softeners may provide relief as well. Talk to your doctor if lifestyle changes don’t get things moving again. They can check for underlying problems and may have additional suggestions for managing chronic constipation.
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Constipation Causes and Remedies
Constipation is a very common condition defined as having fewer than three bowel movements per week. It occurs when stool passes through the large intestine too slowly, becoming hard, dry, and difficult to eliminate. Constipation can cause bloating, discomfort, and generally leave you feeling unwell. Thankfully, there are usually many ways to find relief.
What Causes Constipation?
There are several potential causes of constipation including:
Lack of Fiber – Fiber adds bulk to stool and makes it easier to pass. Not consuming enough fiber from fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, lentils and nuts can lead to constipation.
Dehydration – Water provides liquid to stool so that it can move smoothly through the intestines. If you don’t drink enough fluids, such as water and juices, stool can become dry, hard, and painful to pass.
Lack of Exercise – Being inactive slows digestion, leading to constipation. Regular physical activity helps accelerate the movement of stool through the intestines.
Medications – Many common medications cause constipation, including iron supplements, pain medications, antacids, blood pressure drugs, antidepressants, and others.
Ignoring Bowel Urges – Ignoring the urge to have a bowel movement trains your body to delay defecation and can weaken bowel muscles over time.
Changes in Routine – Traveling, changes in diet, stress, and other disruptions to a person’s normal routine can trigger constipation.
Medical Conditions – Diseases affecting the intestines, such as irritable bowel syndrome or nerve damage caused by diabetes, can cause difficulty defecating.
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Remedies and Treatments for Constipation
If you are experiencing constipation, there are several remedies that can provide relief:
Dietary Changes – Gradually add more high-fiber foods into your diet, like whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans and lentils. Be sure to also drink plenty of fluids. These can help soften stool for an easier bowel movement.
Exercise – Engage in regular physical activity, like walking, yoga positions, or riding an exercise bike. This helps stimulate contractions in the intestines to move stool along.
Establish Bathroom Routines – Take time to try having a bowel movement first thing in the morning or shortly after meals, when the natural movement of the colon is greatest.
Address Medications – If medications are causing constipation, speak to your doctor about alternatives or lowering dosages. Do not change medications or dosages on your own.
Use Laxatives Judiciously – Osmotic laxatives like polyethylene glycol draw water into the colon and lubricate stool. Stimulant laxatives make muscles contract but should be avoided long-term.
Try Over-the-Counter Remedies – Stool softeners, methylcellulose, psyllium husk, or gentle natural laxatives can effectively relieve temporary constipation.
Consider Prescription Medications – If OTC options fail, prescription laxatives may be needed. These include lubiprostone, linaclotide, and prucalopride.
Try Probiotics – Some people have success preventing constipation by taking supplements with healthy digestive bacteria. Common options are lactobacillus and bifidobacterium. Check with your doctor before starting probiotics.
See Your Doctor – If home remedies don’t relieve constipation within a few days, seek medical advice. Chronic constipation may require testing to look for underlying problems.
By paying attention to diet, activity levels, bathroom routines and the medications you take, you can often prevent or treat constipation through lifestyle measures. Quick home remedies like laxatives can provide additional relief when needed. However, if you frequently have issues passing stool, be sure to consult your physician to rule out potential medical conditions that may require specialized treatment. Staying proactive about your digestive health can help minimize the frustrating symptoms of constipation.
Best Thing for Constipation?
Dealing with constipation can be uncomfortable and frustrating. While there are many options available to help get things moving again, identifying the best remedies can take some trial and error. When choosing a constipation aid, effectiveness, safety, and convenience should be key considerations.
Increase Fiber Intake
One of the best first steps for constipation relief is upping your intake of dietary fiber. Fiber adds bulk to stool, helping it absorb water and move smoothly through the intestines. Good sources include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, lentils, and nuts. Raspberries, pears, prunes, kale, and oatmeal are especially high in fiber. Be sure to increase high-fiber foods gradually over a few weeks to allow your digestive system to adapt and avoid issues like gas or bloating. Drinking more fluids with a fiber boost is also important.
Exercise More
Physical activity can stimulate contractions along the intestines that push stool through for elimination. Getting in some form of moderate daily exercise, like brisk walking, yoga, or riding a bike, can help establish regular bowel patterns. Even just getting up to walk around for 5-10 minutes periodically throughout the day can spur some intestinal activity when you’re feeling “backed up”.
Drink Warm Beverages
Sipping on warm liquids like coffee, tea, or warm water with lemon in the morning helps activate digestion through gentle stimulation. The warmth seem to coax the intestines into motion. This sparks a “gastrocolic reflex” where your colon is triggered to contract and move out its contents. Herbal teas with properties that relax muscle spasms may be especially useful for getting things moving.
Try Gentle Laxatives
Over-the-counter laxatives and stool softeners can provide effective short-term constipation relief by helping stool retain moisture and pass more easily through the colon. Polyethylene glycol oral solutions help soften stool while also allowing water to penetrate and hydrate dry, hard feces. Stimulant laxatives induce intestinal contractions but should be used sparingly to avoid diarrhea. Always follow dosing guidelines on any laxative products.
Use Abdominal Massage
A gentle abdominal massage can help relieve constipation by coaxing stagnant stool through the intestines. Use mild pressure while massaging your abdomen in circular clockwise motions. Start near your right hip and work up towards your ribs, across your abdominal area, then down the left side. Repeat this pattern several times using 5-10 minutes to lightly stimulate the intestines.
When dealing with persistent or severe constipation, taking quick action to get your system back on track is important, both for relief in the short-term and maintaining long-term digestive health. Pay attention to diet, physical activity, hydration, bathroom routines and occasional over-the-counter aids based on your individual needs. Know when to seek medical advice if at-home approaches fail to provide adequate relief. Staying proactive can help minimize the chances that constipation slows you down.
Best treatment for Constipation Caused by Medication
It’s not uncommon for medications prescribed for various health conditions to have constipation as a side effect. Opiate pain relievers, antidepressants, iron supplements, antacids, blood pressure medications, and anticonvulsants are some major culprits. Dealing with bothersome symptoms on top of an existing health issue can be highly frustrating. Thankfully, there are ways one can find relief and restore regular bowel function when constipation is caused by your necessary prescriptions.
Diet and Hydration Adjustments
Increasing fiber and fluid intake is typically the first recommendation for relieving medication-related constipation. Adding high fiber foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, beans and lentils can help give stool more bulk to pass through the intestines. Be sure to ramp up fiber gradually while also drinking more water, fruit juices and herbal teas. Proper hydration allows stools to retain moisture and move smoothly. Prunes, pear juice, raw broccoli and raspberries are great options.
Exercise When Possible
Physical movement stimulates contractions along the colon, encouraging stools to progress through the system. Something as simple as taking short, frequent walks can rouse intestinal activity enough to produce a bowel movement. For those with mobility challenges, practicing deep breathing exercises or sitting abdominal twists can also help wake up the bowels. However, check with your doctor first regarding appropriate exercises based on your medical status.
Establish Bathroom Routines
Since prescription drugs often cause sporadic bowel activity, it helps to take proactive measures after eating or first thing in the morning. Schedule time to sit on the toilet and attempt bowel movements when gut motility tends to be highest. Relax, breathe deeply, and give yourself adequate time to allow things to progress. Avoid straining. Place feet on a stool to get knees above hips for ideal positioning.
Ask About Prescription Therapies
If unrelenting constipation persists despite lifestyle adjustments, ask your medical provider about prescription therapies that target different areas of the gut. These include:
– Lubiprostone – helps intestinal fluid secretion
– Linaclotide – improves fluid flow and transit
– Prucalopride – reduces gut contractions
– Plecanatide – boosts fluid accumulation
Such medications help soften stools while spurring gut motility. They are specifically designed for chronic constipation cases.
Consider Bowel Cleansing Formulas
Utilizing OTC laxatives formulated with a combination of stool softeners, gentle fibers and osmotic agents can provide more complete bowel cleansing. Try those containing polyethylene glycol and sodium picosulfate to effectively hydrate hardened stools, lubricate the intestines, and stimulate gentle contractions. Strictly follow dosing guidelines and correct usage is important when using such products.
Rather than resign yourself to ongoing constipation problems from necessary medications, know that there are options to explore for relief. Be proactive with dietary adjustments, activity, bowel routines and talk to your doctor regarding the latest prescription treatments to get your system functioning comfortably again. Stay positive knowing it is possible to counteract the gastrointestinal effects certain drugs can impose.
Immediate Constipation Relief at Home
When constipation strikes, you probably want relief fast. Thankfully, there are simple remedies you likely have at home right now that can get things moving:
– Drink Warm/Hot Liquids – Sipping warm water with lemon, hot tea, or coffee stimulates movement in your digestive tract to prod stools along. The warmth seems to coax your intestines into motion.
– Take a Bath – A warm (not hot) bath can help relax gastrointestinal muscles, allowing stool to pass more easily. Soaking for around 20 minutes lets the water soothe tightened muscles.
– Massage Your Abdomen – Use circular motions to gently massage and compress the abdomen. This stimulates intestinal contraction to push stool through. Start on your right side below the ribs and work downwards before repeating on the left.
– Move Your Body – Getting in some physical activity, like going for a walk or jog, doing yoga stretches, or riding a stationary bike stimulates intestinal activity to relieve stuck stools.
– Eat High Fiber Foods – Fiber-rich foods add bulk to stool while retaining moisture, allowing it to slide through the colon more smoothly. Prunes, pears, berries, whole grains, and cruciferous veggies are great options.
These at-home approaches provide immediate relief by spurring gut motility when you’re feeling stopped up. They get stool moving using natural stimulation for freedom from discomfort fast.
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Constipation Medicine for Adults
When at-home remedies fail to provide lasting relief from constipation woes, turning to over-the-counter medicines can help get regular bowel movements back on track. Some of the most effective OTC options for adults include:
Polyethylene Glycol – This osmotic laxative solution softens stool while drawing water into the intestines to allow stools to pass easier. Brand names include MiraLAX and ClearLax.
Lactulose/Sorbitol – These sugar-based laxatives pull water into the colon through osmosis to ease stool movement gently. Products with sorbitol tend to work faster.
Sodium Picosulfate – As a stimulant laxative, this activates receptors in intestines to increase muscle contractions and bowel movement frequency. Brand names are Dulcolax and Fleet.
Senna/Docusate – Containing stimulant (senna) and stool softener (docusate) agents, these provide dual-action relief. Examples are Senokot-S and Surfak.
Bisacodyl – Available as tablets or suppositories, bisacodyl stimulates the colon to induce bowel movements generally within 6-12 hours. Common brands are DulcoEase and Correctol.
These OTC constipation aids work through various mechanisms, allowing adults to find suitable options that offer effective, temporary relief. Always carefully follow dosing instructions provided.
Constipation Medicine for Kids
To relieve constipation in children, pediatricians typically recommend a few OTC laxatives and stool softeners that are safe and gentle:
Polyethylene Glycol Powder – Mixed with water or juice, this tasteless powder draws fluid into the intestines to soften stool for easier passing without cramping. Brands include MiraLAX and ClearLax.
Mineral Oil – Coating the stool allows it to slide freely through intestines without straining. Give prior to bed to take effect overnight when possible. Avoid for kids under 1 year.
Docusate Sodium – As a fast-acting stool softener, this agent lets water penetrate stool so it doesn’t dry out and get stuck. Brand names are Surfak and Colace.
Glycerin Suppositories – These lubricating laxatives stimulate the rectum to induce a bowel movement within 15 to 60 minutes, providing rapid relief. Dulcolax and Pedia-Lax make popular versions.
Senna Syrup – This natural stimulant makes muscles contract to move stool along, working in 12 hours or overnight. Senokot and Ex-Lax offer kid-friendly senna syrups.
These pediatric laxatives gently encourage stool movement through various moisturizing, softening, and stimulating actions to get kids’ bowels back on track comfortably and safely.
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When to Take Constipation Medicine
Determining when to take laxatives or stool softeners depends on the type you choose:
Stimulant Laxatives – Take stimulant laxatives like senna, bisacodyl, or sodium picosulfate in the morning or night to produce effects generally within 6-12 hours. They’re best suited for short-term relief.
Stool Softeners – Choose stool softeners like docusate when experiencing hard, painful stools. Take these laxatives as needed to moisten and ease passage. Prevent dehydration by drinking more fluids.
Osmotic Laxatives – Take osmotic agents like polyethylene glycol remedies with a full glass of water. Drink plenty of fluids afterward as well to prevent dehydration. MiraLAX can be taken daily for more lasting effects.
Lubricant Laxatives – Use lubricant laxatives like mineral oil 30 minutes to an hour before bedtime. Effects take 6 to 8 hours to soften stool overnight.
Suppositories/Enemas – Insert lubricating glycerin suppositories after breakfast and dinner when oral laxatives fail to produce bowel movements. Retain for up to 30 minutes.
Knowing when to take different constipation aids ensures you get timely relief. Always read labels carefully and take as directed for best results.
Conclusion
Whether constipation results from dehydration, poor diet, lack of exercise, medication use, or other issues, prompt relief is likely readily available from home remedies and over-the-counter laxatives. Pay attention to warning signs like straining, abdominal pain, bloating, and reduced bowel movements so you can take action before things get painfully backed up.
Combining increased fluids, a fiber-rich diet, exercise, and gentle stool softeners and laxatives can get bowels back on track. For kids, seek pediatrician advice and use only child-approved constipation aids. If relieving symptoms takes over a week at home, make an appointment to see your healthcare provider for an assessment, especially if you take medications that commonly cause gastrointestinal effects.
Staying proactive with healthy lifestyle habits combined with fast-acting laxatives when needed can help minimize the chances constipation leaves you feeling stopped up. Get over-the-counter relief tailored to your personal needs today!
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