What Is The Best Over The Counter Treatment For Constipation

What Is Constipation?

Constipation means that a person has three or fewer bowel movements in a week. The stool can be hard and dry. Some people who are constipated find it painful to have a bowel movement and often experience straining, bloating, and the sensation of a full bowel. At one time or another, almost everyone gets constipated. In most cases, it lasts a short time and is not serious. Some people think they are constipated if they do not have a bowel movement every day. However, normal stool elimination may be three times a day or three times a week, depending on the person. Are you sick and tired of being constantly constipated and fed up with quick fix solutions and spending money on remedies that don’t work then continue to read what is the best over the counter treatment for constipation.

Who Gets Constipated?

Constipation is one of the most common gastrointestinal complaints in the United States. More than 4 million Americans have frequent constipation, accounting for 2.5 million physician visits a year. Those reporting constipation most often are women and adults ages 65 and older. Pregnant women may have constipation, and it is a common problem following childbirth or surgery.

What Causes Constipation?

The causes of constipation are multifaceted. Some common causes of constipation are:

A diet low in fiber

You need about 25 grams to 30 grams of fiber every day to soften the stool and encourage proper bowel function. Most American diets contain less than half that amount.

Inadequate fluid intake

To help prevent stools from becoming dry and hard, your daily diet should include at least six to eight glasses of water which acts as natural stool softener. This amount includes fluids found in milk, juice and other beverages, but you also can count the water content in fruits, soups, stews and solid foods.

A sedentary lifestyle

Because regular exercise is necessary to promote normal muscle contractions in the bowel wall, having a sedentary job or rarely exercising puts you at high risk of constipation.

Ignoring the urge to defecate

If you have your bowel movements right after you feel an urge to defecate, this reinforces a normal nerve reflex that helps you to pass stool easily. Sometimes, because of a busy schedule or limited access to restrooms, a person ignores the urge to defecate. If you repeatedly postpone bathroom trips until a more convenient time, this can lead to constipation problems and constipation back pain.

Travel and scheduling factors

Travel can promote constipation by changing your diet, interfering with the normal timing of your meals, and limiting your access to restrooms.

Laxative overuse

Long-term, regular use of laxatives can teach your bowel to rely on these medicines for help with bowel movements. Eventually, a laxative habit can contribute to your constipation, making you dependent upon continued laxative use.

A side effect of medications

Constipation is a side effect of many prescription and nonprescription medications. Common problem medicines include iron supplements and vitamins that contain iron; calcium supplements; antacids that contain aluminum; antidepressants; drugs to treat schizophrenia or hallucinations; narcotic pain killers; general anesthesia; diuretics; muscle relaxants; and certain prescription drugs used to treat seizure disorders, Parkinson’s disease, overactive bladder, and hypertension.

Local pain or discomfort around the anus

An anal fissure or hemorrhoid can make bowel movements painful or uncomfortable. (An anal fissure is a small tear in the skin around the anus, and a hemorrhoid is a bulge from a vein in the anus.) To avoid pain, a person with one of these problems sometimes resists the urge to defecate. This can cause symptoms of constipation.

Constipation Symptoms

Symptoms of constipation include:

• Fewer than three bowel movements per week
• Small, hard, dry stools that are difficult or painful to pass
• The need to strain excessively to have a bowel movement
• A feeling that your rectum is not empty after a bowel movement

Occasionally, long-term constipation develops into fecal impaction, which is a blocked colon from a mass of stool that can’t be moved by colon contractions. Fecal impaction can cause pain and vomiting, and a person with fecal impaction may require emergency treatment or hospitalization. Fecal impaction is a fairly common complication of long-term constipation in the elderly and bedridden, occurring in about 30% of all nursing home residents.

Symptoms of fecal impaction include:

• Liquid stool (the stool is leaking around the impacted mass of feces and can be mistaken for diarrhea)
• Abdominal pain, especially after meals
• A persistent urge to move the bowels
• Nausea and vomiting
• Headache
• Poor appetite, weight loss
• Malaise (a generally sick feeling)

Can Constipation Be Dangerous?

Sometimes constipation can be dangerous and lead to complications. These complications include hemorrhoids, caused by straining to have a bowel movement, or anal fissures—tears in the skin around the anus—caused when hard stool stretches the sphincter muscle. As a result, rectal bleeding may occur, appearing as bright red streaks on the surface of the stool.

Constipation may also cause hard stool to pack the intestine and rectum so tightly that the normal pushing action of the colon is not enough to expel the stool. This condition, called fecal impaction, occurs most often in children and older adults. An impaction can be softened with mineral oil taken by mouth and by an enema. After softening the impaction, the doctor may break up and remove part of the hardened stool by inserting one or two fingers into the anus.

Can Constipation Cause Back Pain?

Most people often associate constipation with back pain. Constipation can trigger back pain. Usually this pain subsides as soon as the person gets rid of constipation. So, can constipation cause back pain? It can. The reason behind constipation back pain is when an individual gets bowel movement he tries to pass the hard and dry stool which results in strained back muscles. These strained muscles can cause lower back and abdominal pain. Constipation back pain can be a very distressing condition, since it may affect the daily routine. If this condition aggravates, it may lead to some unwanted complications. The good news regarding constipation back pain issue is that it is treatable if you know how to prevent constipation. For constipation back pain issues, drink plenty of water and regular exercise will do the trick. Exercise will keep your muscles toned. It will also stimulate healthy bowel movement ideal for constipation and back pain relief.

Points to Remember About Constipation

• Constipation affects almost everyone at one time or another.
• Many people think they are constipated when, in fact, their bowel movements are regular.
• The most common causes of constipation are poor diet and lack of exercise.
• Other causes of constipation include medications, irritable bowel syndrome, abuse of laxatives, and specific diseases.
• A medical history and physical exam may be the only diagnostic tests needed before the doctor suggests treatment.
• In most cases, following these simple tips will help relieve symptoms and prevent recurrence of constipation:
• Eat a well-balanced, high-fiber diet that includes beans, bran, whole grains, fresh fruits, and vegetables.
• Drink plenty of liquids.
• Exercise regularly.
• Set aside time after breakfast or dinner for undisturbed visits to the toilet.
• Do not ignore the urge to have a bowel movement.
• Understand that normal bowel habits vary.
• Whenever a significant or prolonged change in bowel habits occurs, check with a doctor.

How To Treat Constipation?

Although treatment depends on the cause, severity, and duration of the constipation, in most cases dietary and lifestyle changes will help relieve symptoms and help prevent them from recurring.

Use Healthy Diet

A diet with enough fiber (20 to 35 grams each day) helps the body form soft, bulky stool. A doctor or dietitian can help plan an appropriate diet. High-fiber foods include beans, whole grains and bran cereals, fresh fruits, and vegetables such as asparagus, brussels sprouts, cabbage, and carrots. For people prone to constipation, limiting foods that have little or no fiber, such as ice cream, cheese, meat, and processed foods, is also important. A healthy, high fiber diet and proper fluid intake will give you instant constipation relief. Remember, to reduce the quantity of alcohol and caffeine from your diet.

Lifestyle Changes

Other changes that may help treat and prevent constipation include drinking enough water and other liquids, such as fruit and vegetable juices and clear soups, so as not to become dehydrated, engaging in daily exercise, and reserving enough time to have a bowel movement. In addition, the urge to have a bowel movement should not be ignored.

Laxatives

Most people who are mildly constipated do not need laxatives. However, for those who have made diet and lifestyle changes and are still constipated, a doctor may recommend laxatives or enemas for a limited time for instant and fast constipation relief. These treatments can help retrain a chronically sluggish bowel. For children, short-term treatment with laxatives, along with retraining to establish regular bowel habits, helps prevent constipation. However, research has proven over the years that while laxatives are highly effective in the short term, they have long term adverse effects.

Alternative Approaches

According to the Mayo Clinic, alternative approaches such as massage and acupuncture can stimulate the intestines and treat constipation. Massage,

including acupressure, can help to relax the muscles in the abdomen and can help intestinal function. Acupuncture, which involves using very fine needles to treat various condition, can also be an effective constipation remedy. Some people also recommend reflexology for constipation relief.

Foods That Help With Constipation

The American College of Gastroenterology states that constipation is usually the result of stool moving slowly through the large intestine and losing water there. By adapting what you eat and drink, you can help soften your stools and overcome constipation. If you are intending to start reducing the occurrence of constipation, then you need to know the foods that help with constipation effectively. The starting point to relieving yourself of constipation is a major change in diet. If you’ve got constipation, you can eliminate it as fast as possible eating certain foods that help with constipation which are as follows:

Figs and Dates

These are fruits high in fiber content. They take about twenty four hours before results can be seen. Because of its nature, figs enhance the process of digestion and are a rich source of fiber and minerals. This is not to mention the fact that they – figs and dates – produce serotonin.

Grapes

Eating one or two pounds of grapes in a day will greatly reduce the incidence of constipation. Grapes contain a high quantity of minerals and vitamins, high fiber content, and manganese. They are a great laxative and bring instant relief to the stomach.

Pawpaw

Pawpaw also known as Carica papaya is a well known fruit containing the enzyme papain. But not many know it for its qualities as a food for constipation. The high mineral content of the pawpaw reduces cell waste, gets rid of stomach mucus and colon mucus. To use them effectively, you can eat in between meals or add to smoothies.

Persimmon

Another important food for constipation, Persimmons have been reputed to be as highly nutritious as an apple and some claim it may yield better results for the heart. This is because of the high content of fiber and minerals like potassium, calcium, manganese, sodium, iron et.c These minerals including phenolic compounds are anti-oxidants and as a result, colon cleaners. For quick results, eat two to three of it daily.

Plums

These are fruits with high mineral content in addition to having a gentle laxative property. They are very effective in clearing gas from the bowels.

Prunes

These are plums that are dried. So the both of them can be used interchangeably. But prunes are generally more effective food for constipation than plums and provide instant constipation relief. Because of the high iron content prunes are generally considered one of the best ways to relieve constipation.

Raspberry

The raspberry is a fruit rich in Vitamin A and C. It is also rich in minerals such as calcium, iron, and magnesium. Eating them during the day in copious quantities will give instant constipation relief.

Mangos

This fruit is very popular in Africa. I works wonders in the treatment of constipation. It has never failed anyone who has used it as a natural remedy for constipation. Unfortunately, it is not available in this part of the world as it is a fruit found only in the tropics. One in the morning and last thing at night, and you have yourself an easy bowel movement.

Bael Fruit

This works exceedingly well in the treatment of constipation. To commence treatment, consume the fruit on a daily basis for three months.

Pear

Eat a medium-sized pear at breakfast or after dinner. It has been said that it is an effective home remedy in relieving constipation.

Guava

Eat guava with the seeds. Take two on a daily basis. It helps with bowel evacuation.

Foods That Cause Constipation

In order to help prevent constipation you should avoid or limit your intake of dairy products, foods that are high in fat content, foods that are high in cholesterol content, and processed foods. Prepared meals that come in boxes is one type of food that causes constipation. Some common foods that cause constipation are cheese, ice cream, chips, pizza, instant mashed potatoes, pastries, cakes, cookies, fried foods, processed foods, wheat-based foods, red meat and dried beans.

Constipation in Infants and Newborn Babies

Constipation in infants is a common problem that many parents face. While constipation is practically unheard of in infants who are exclusively breastfed, formula-fed babies and infants who eat solids may experience hard and difficult-to-pass bowel movements. If you suspect constipation in your newborn, contact your pediatrician for advice on treatment. Prune juice is a natural laxative that works for many babies to promote soft, easy-to-pass stools. Prune juice may work more quickly for some babies than others. Talk with your child’s pediatrician if constipation is a problem for recommendations, evaluation and advice. Please not that you should give prune juice to your newborn only if recommended by your pediatrician. It is also important to note that if you allowed to give prune juice for the constipation, it should not replace any of the liquid provided by breast milk or formula. Depending on the severity of your infant’s constipation, prune juice may take a little longer to work, or may produce a result in as little as an hour. For a baby who is only mildly constipated, prune juice may work in two to four hours. For other babies who are severely constipated, prune juice may not work at all. If your baby has gone several days without producing a bowel movement, or is crying in pain while trying to pass stool, contact your doctor for alternative recommendations. While prune juice does often work to maintain regularity and promote a bowel movement for mildly constipated babies, it will not be effective for a baby who has a very hard bowel movement in the colon.

What Is The Best Over The Counter Treatment For Constipation

Constipation is a common complaint that affects most people at one time or another. Constipation is a health issue that can be traced to medications, medical conditions or simply ignoring nature’s call. There are many over the counter treatments and it is difficult to identify what is the best over the counter treatment for constipation. Though over-the-counter laxatives will help your bowels move, they can also produce aggressive, unpleasant side effects such as diarrhea. Home and natural remedies for constipation are much gentler on your digestive tract, allowing the condition to relieve itself in a natural fashion.