What is Constipation?
Constipation is the presence of hard, dry stool in the rectum that is difficult to pass. Constipation is not a disease in itself and is rarely harmful, though it can be a symptom of another health problem.
What Causes Constipation?
Most often, constipation results for the following reasons:
- Medications. If you are taking opioid medications, constipation is a side effect that will not resolve on it's own. You may need to take a stool softener and bowel stimulant along with your medication to prevent constipation.
- Not drinking enough fluid
- Not having a bowel movement when you have the urge
- Being inactive
- Not eating enough fiber
- Not eating regularly enough to stimulate the intestines to move food along
- Laxative dependency
If I Don't Have a Bowel Movement Everyday, Am I Constipated?
Frequency of bowel movements varies from person to person. You may have a bowel movement twice a day or twice a week and still not be constipated. Constipation is not defined by the frequency of bowel movement, but by the difficulty in passing them. If your bowel movements are soft and easy to pass, you are not constipated no matter how often your bowels move.
What Can I Do to Prevent Constipation?
Changing some of your habits can resolve your constipation without having to use medication. Here are some rules to prevent constipation:
- Eat three meals a day. Frequent feeding keeps your intestines contracting and moving the stool along
- Drink at least 32 oz. of fluid everyday, not counting what you drink at mealtime.
- Avoid caffeine and alcohol as they both act as diuretics and deplete the body water stores
- Increase your dietary intake of fruit, vegetables, and whole grains. If you cannot do this, take a bulk fiber supplement daily or try using "millers bran" which can be purchased at a health food store. Begin by mixing 1 or 2 tablespoons of bran in a glass of juice or water, and gradually increase up to 3 times a day with meals or until your bowel movements pass easily. Start slowly to let your body adjust to the extra fiber. This will minimize abdominal discomfort and gas. You can also sprinkle the bran on your food.
What Can I Do About Constipation Now?
If your constipation occurs occasionally, you may relieve it by trying one of the following methods:
- Drink 8 oz. of warm prune juice
- Eat a big bowl of bran cereal or a bran muffin
- Mix equal parts of bran with applesauce and mix with a little prune juice
If constipation is severe, consider these laxative groups as a temporary measure. Remember, the consistent use of laxatives can become a cause of future constipation.
- Bulk fiber laxatives such as Metamucil. They add bulk to the stool and prevent too much water reabsorption by the body. They may take three days to be effective.
- Stool softeners. They are mainly a preventive medication but may resolve your constipation by adding moisture to the stool. They may also take up to three days to be effective.
- Bowel stimulants such as Senekot. These medications stimulate bowel contractions but do not soften the stool. It is best to use stool softeners and stimulants together to resolve constipation.
Should I See My Doctor About My Constipation?
If your constipation is so severe that the stool will not pass no matter what you do, you will need to contact your doctor immediately. A build-up of stool in the rectum is called an impaction, and an impaction can lead to bowel obstruction, hospitalization, and even surgery.
