Did you know that more than 4 million Americans suffer from constipation regularly? Constipation is a condition that makes it difficult to get 3 bowel movements in a week and makes your stools hard, dry, and small. It is painful and difficult to pass. The good news is it is manageable. Learn the best strategies to manage constipation in adults and children in this article. Log on to www.doralhw.org for a consultation.
Strategies for constipation relief in adults
Constipation is prevalent in adults; however, it can be managed with these preventive strategies:
- Add fiber to your diet:
To relieve constipation, firstly you need to add fiber to your diet. Fiber amounts can vary depending on your age and sex but usually, adults should consume 22 to 34 grams of fiber a day. There are two types of fiber – soluble and insoluble. Both types of fiber are good for health, digestion, and preventing diseases. However, they act differently in the body.
Soluble fiber can absorb water from the food which turns into gel, which slows digestion. It also helps to lower cholesterol and the risk of heart disease. Good sources of soluble fiber are:
- Oat bran
- Barley
- Beans
- Nuts
- Seeds
- Lentils
- Peas
- Some fruits and vegetables
Insoluble fiber doesn’t absorb water and can add bulk to your stool. However, it can help the food pass quickly through the stomach and intestine, relieving constipation. Good sources of insoluble fiber are:
- Wheat bran
- Vegetables
- Whole grains
Prunes and bran cereal are popular fibers to relieve constipation.
- Stay hydrated:
Staying hydrated is another common way to relieve constipation by making stool softer and easier to pass. Here are some good fluid choices you can try:
- Water
- Naturally sweetened fruit juices
- Vegetable juices
- Clear soups
If you stay hydrated in the first place you can prevent constipation before it occurs. Most people need to drink around 4 to 6 cups of plain water every day to stay hydrated. But it can vary from person to person.
- Try coffee:
While coffee and alcohol can make you dehydrated, some evidence shows that a cup of coffee or tea in the morning may help you poop.
- Stool softeners:
These medications can add moisture to the stools to make them softer and easier to pass. The most common stool softener is docusate. Generally, stool softeners are recommended for people who avoid straining, such as people with hemorrhoids or who have recent abdominal surgery.
- Enema:
Enemas are used to relieve constipation as they mechanically flush stool from the rectum and lower part of the large intestine. An enema works by loosening the stool in the rectum by triggering the rectal muscles to squeeze as a reaction to getting stretched.
A traditional enema is made with a bag of liquid (usually a mixture of salt and water) attached to a plastic tube with a tapered tip. The tips should be inserted into the anus, and the enema fluid empties into the rectum. The fluid then washes stool out of the intestine.
- Stimulant laxatives:
Stimulant laxatives can relieve your constipation by stimulating your intestines to contract more frequently or more forcefully encouraging stool or movement through the colon. These medicines are recommended if you have severe constipation or other treatments don’t work for you. However, it also has side effects, which increase the possibility of the large intestine becoming dependent on their use. That’s why stimulant laxatives are only recommended for brief periods.
Stimulant laxatives are available in the form of a pill or inserted into the rectum as a suppository. When taken as a suppository, it can work for 15 to 60 minutes. Taken by mouth, it starts working in 6 to 8 hours.
- Exercise more:
Many research studies show that exercise can improve the symptoms of constipation. Studies also show that sedentary lifestyles can increase the risk of constipation. That’s why doctors recommend increasing exercise to get the stool moving. However, not all studies show the same results. So, more research is needed.
Strategies for constipation relief in children
Not only adults, but constipation is also common in children as well. Here are some strategies you can use to manage constipation in children:
- Change toilet posture:
Generally, children have a bad posture on the toilet such as, they slump their waist and don’t sit straight, crossing their legs, or their legs dangling in the air or clinching their bottom cheeks together.
One tool that can improve toilet posture is the defecation posture modification device, a potty stool. This can improve their toileting posture by promoting relaxation of the puborectalis muscle and straightening the anorectal angle to make the poop easier. A recent study showed this potty stool is safe and effective in treating functional constipation in toilet-trained children.
- Try a suppository:
Rectal suppositories are inserted into the rectum to soften stool to encourage bowel movements. The most common types of suppositories are glycerin or bisacodyl suppositories.
- Osmotic laxatives:
This is a class of medicine that includes products like milk of magnesia. These laxatives use natural salts, magnesium salts, and undigested sugars which draw water into the large intestines which soften and loosen the stool. For children, polyethylene glycol 3350 (PEG) is recommended.
Besides these strategies, other strategies like staying hydrated, eating fiber, exercising regularly, and stool softeners are similar to adult strategies. Laxatives and edemas are not given to children who are younger than 4 years old and only some specific types of these medications are given to children. Your doctor first diagnoses your child and prescribes them only if other home remedies fail to improve their condition.
Constipation can be discomforting and painful for both adults and children. With the above-mentioned strategies, you can manage your constipation and stool easily. In case your constipation doesn’t get better, you should visit a doctor for treatment.
If you need help with your constipation or any other digestive problems, visit our gastroenterology clinic in Brooklyn for professional medical treatment. You can schedule an appointment with Doral Health and Wellness Gastroenterology Center’s best gastro doctors in Brooklyn. If you are looking for treatments, you can also talk to our specialists and inquire with them. To schedule an appointment, please visit us at 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11212 or call 1-347-384-5690.
