Prevention of Constipation
Prevention of Constipation:
Methods of prevention of Constipation mentioned in various sources
includes those listed below.
This prevention information is gathered from various sources,
and may be inaccurate or incomplete.
None of these methods guarantee prevention of Constipation.
- Drink water
- Eat fiber
- Exercise
- Avoid holding back bowel movement
Medical news about treatments for Constipation
These medical news articles may be relevant to Constipation treatment:
Constipation Prevention: Book Excerpts
Clinical Trials for Constipation
Some of the clinical trials for Constipation include:
Latest Treatments for Constipation
Some of the more recent treatments for Constipation include:
Treatments for Constipation
Treatments to consider for Constipation may include:
Prevention of Constipation:
Why Am I Constipated: NIDDK (Excerpt)
In most cases, following these simple tips will help:
- Eat a variety of foods. Eat a lot of beans, bran, whole grains,
fresh fruits, and vegetables.
- Drink plenty of liquids.
- Exercise regularly.
- Do not ignore the urge to have a bowel movement.
- Understand that normal bowel habits are different for everyone.
- If your bowel habits change, check with your doctor.
(Source: excerpt from
Why Am I Constipated: NIDDK)
Why Am I Constipated: NIDDK (Excerpt)
Changing what you eat and drink and how much you
exercise will help relieve and prevent constipation. Here are some steps
you can take.
1. Eat more fiber.
Fiber helps form soft, bulky stool. It is found
in many vegetables, fruits, and grains. Be sure to add fiber a little at a
time, so your body gets used to it slowly. Limit foods that have little or
no fiber such as ice cream, cheese, meat, snacks like chips and pizza, and
processed foods such as instant mashed potatoes or already-prepared frozen
dinners. The following chart shows you some high-fiber foods.
High-Fiber Foods
| Fruit |
Vegetables |
Breads, Cereals, and Beans |
Apples
Peaches
Raspberries
Tangerines |
Acorn squash
Broccoli, raw
Brussels
sprouts
Cabbage
Carrots, raw
Cauliflower,
raw
Spinach
Zucchini |
Black-eyed peas
Kidney beans
Lima
beans
Whole-grain cereal, cold (All-Bran, Total, Bran
Flakes)
Whole-grain cereal, hot (oatmeal, Wheatena)
Whole-wheat or
7-grain bread |
2. Drink plenty of water and other liquids such as fruit and vegetable
juices and clear soup.
Liquid helps keep the stool soft and easy to pass, so it's
important to drink enough fluids. Try not to drink liquids with caffeine
or alcohol in them. Caffeine and alcohol tend to dry out your system.
3. Get enough exercise.
Doctors are not sure why, but regular
exercise helps your system stay active and healthy. You don't need to
become a great athlete. A 20- to 30-minute walk every day will do the
trick.
4. Allow yourself enough time to have a bowel movement.
Sometimes
we feel so hurried that we don't pay attention to our bodies' needs. Make
sure you don't ignore the urge to have a bowel movement.
5. Use laxatives only if a doctor says you should.
Laxatives
(LAHK-sa-tivz) are medicines that will make you pass a stool. Most people
who are mildly constipated do not need laxatives. However, if you are
doing all the right things and you are still constipated, your doctor may
recommend laxatives for a limited time.
Your doctor will tell you
if you need a laxative and what type is best. Laxatives come in many
forms: liquid, chewing gum, pills, and powder that you mix with water, for
example.
6. Check with your doctor about medicines you may be taking.
Some
medicines may cause constipation. They include calcium pills, pain pills
with codeine in them, some antacids, iron pills, diuretics (water pills),
and medicines for depression. If you take medicine for another problem, be
sure to ask your doctor about it.
(Source: excerpt from
Why Am I Constipated: NIDDK)
Constipation Treatment: Book Excerpts
Prevention Claims: Constipation
Information on prevention of Constipation comes from many sources.
There are some sources that claim preventive benefits
for many different diseases for various products.
We may present such information
in the hope that it may be useful,
however, in some cases claims of Constipation prevention may be
dubious, invalid, or not recognized in mainstream medicine.
Please discuss any treatment, discontinuation of treatment,
or change of treatment plans with your doctor
or professional medical specialist.
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