Page 117 - (DK) Home Doctor: Providing practical advice on home treatments

COMMON CONDITIONS: CHEST AND ABDOMINAL PROBLEMS 115

Constipation

The normal frequency of bowel movements can vary from 3 times a day to 3 times a week, and most people
have a regular habit. However, if you pass hard stools less than 3 times a week, you are probably constipated.
Other symptoms include bloating, nausea, and cramping in your lower abdomen. Eating a diet that is low in
fiber, not drinking enough fluids, having a sedentary lifestyle, and/or repeatedly ignoring the urge to go to the
bathroom can contribute to constipation. Some medicines, such as certain analgesics and iron supplements,
may cause or aggravate the problem. Occasionally, constipation is caused by an underlying illness.

See your doctor first
NATURAL REMEDIES
Arrange to see your doctor if you have
unexplained changes in your bowel habit, or: Fiber supplements (see LAXATIVES, p.185)
make stools softer, bulkier, and easier to pass. The
● You are passing blood, mucus, or pus
most common type is bran, which can be mixed with
● You have severe pain in your abdomen
cereal, soup, or fruit juice. Start with a small amount
● You are losing weight
and increase gradually. If bran is unpalatable, try a
product containing methylcellulose.
What you can do yourself

There are various ways to treat a mild bout DRUG REMEDIES
of constipation and prevent it from recurring.
Stimulant laxatives (see LAXATIVES,
● Some foods, such as prunes and figs, have
p.185), such as senna, can be used for temporary
natural laxative properties, so include these with relief, but long-term or excessive use of stimulant
your meals. Don’t skip breakfast. Having a hot laxatives may make you more constipated because
drink with breakfast helps to stimulate the bowels. your bowels no longer move efficiently without them.

● Drink at least 8 glasses of water and/or fruit
juice a day. Cut down on tea, coffee, and cola,
which can make you dehydrated.
PREVENTION
● Try to get 20–30 minutes of exercise, such as
walking, cycling, or swimming, every day, since Avoiding constipation The following
activity helps stimulate the bowels. measures will ensure that constipation doesn’t recur.
● Go to the bathroom when you have the urge; don’t
● If other measures have not helped, try taking
wait. Allow adequate time for bowel movements.
a fiber supplement (see NATURAL REMEDIES, right).
● Increase your fiber intake by gradually adding foods
● Use a stimulant laxative if constipation is severe such as muesli, whole-grain bread, vegetables, and
or persistent (see DRUG REMEDIES, right). nuts to your diet. Drink plenty of fluids with the fiber.

Seek further medical advice
Arrange to see your doctor if: Healthy
breakfast
● Constipation has not cleared up after 7 days
Add fresh fruit to
● You have not had a normal bowel movement
muesli for a high-
but have had leakage of feces or diarrhea fiber breakfast.
● You get recurrent bouts of constipation