Constipation occurs when you have bowel movements less than 3 times a week or difficulty in passing stool. It’s a common problem that affects everyone. However, it’s more common in women than men. Mostly constipation is mild and easily managed with home remedies and medication. But if you’re experiencing chronic constipation or constipation along with other bowel changes, you should visit your healthcare professional for treatment. You can contact us by visiting our clinic or visiting our website at https://doralhw.org/.

Treatment

To manage constipation, home remedies and prescribed medication are used as a first line of treatment. Increasing your physical activity is the easiest and fastest way to relieve constipation. You can try home remedies like:

• Stay hydrated and drink 1.5 to 2 quarts of water or unsweetened fluids.
• Limit your alcohol and caffeinated drinks consumption, which causes dehydration.
• Add fiber-rich foods to your diet including – raw fruits and vegetables, whole grains, beans, prunes, or bran cereal. The recommended daily intake of fiber is between 20 to 35 grams.
• Cut down on low-fiber foods including meat, milk, cheese, and processed foods.
• You should exercise for at least 150 minutes (about 2 and a half hours) every week, with a goal of 30 minutes per day at least 5 times a week. You can try any activity you like walking, swimming, running, or biking.
• Don’t delay your urge for a bowel movement. The longer you wait, the harder your stool can become.
• Ask your doctor about how to train your mind or body to pass a stool 15 to 45 minutes after having breakfast each day.
• Change your position when passing stool by raising your knees and putting your feet on the footstool to have a relaxing bowel movement.
• Ask your doctor to prescribe laxatives or enemas for a short periodto soften your stools. However, avoid using laxatives for more than 2 weeks without consulting with a healthcare professional, as you might develop a dependence on them.
• When you use the bathroom, give yourself plenty of time to relax your muscles.

If home remedies don’t work, your healthcare provider may recommend you over-the-counter laxatives which include:

• Fiber supplements
• Osmotic agents such as milk of magnesia
• Stool softeners.
• Lubricants such as mineral oil.
• Stimulants

If laxatives don’t work, your healthcare professional may prescribe some other medications to help, including:

• Lubiprostone is a medicine that increases fluid levels in your intestine.
• Linaclotide or plecanatide, helps you to make bowel movements more regular if you suffer from long-term constipation or IBS.
• Prucalopride, which helps the colon to move along the stool.

You can also stop taking certain medications that may cause constipation after consulting with your healthcare professional.

Besides medications and home remedies, other options to treat constipation are:

• Biofeedback, which helps a person to restrain their muscles.
• An enema.
• Surgery to remove a blockage in the rectum or manually remove feces to provide relief.
• Long-term treatment for conditions like IBS.

If you need help with constipation, visit our gastroenterologist in Brooklyn clinic 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.