CONSTIPATION

 

Symptoms | When to call | Homecare Advice

 

HOME CARE ADVICE FOR MILD CONSTIPATION

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. Bulk-forming laxatives: This type of laxative is generally safe and works like fiber to help soften the stools and improve your intestinal function.
    • Metamucil - One tsp (5 cc) in a glass of water BID.
    • Occasional side effect: mild gas or bloating sensations.
  6. Stimulant laxatives: Generally, you should try to avoid using these over the counter medications. Occasional use is probably OK. Read the package instructions carefully. Milk of Magnesia (MOM) is a mild stimulant laxative. The dosage is 2 tablespoons (30 cc) by mouth. Do not use if you have kidney disease.
  7. First Aid 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." It often helps relax the anal sphincter and release the BM. If the Sitz bath doesn't work, try 1 or 2 glycerin rectal suppositories, which you can get over the counter.
  8. Enemas: Should be used rarely and only after other measures have not worked.
  9. 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 or develop any of the "Call Your Doctor" symptoms

Disclaimer: This information is not intended be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information.

Adult SelfCareNavigator. Copyright © 2000-2004 David Thompson, M.D. FACEP

Reviewed 8/2004

Revised 8/2004

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