Constipation

kwest_4_fitness

For me, an increase in fiber caused me to experience this. I had always thought fiber made you poo, but that's not how it works. If you increased your veggie intake and those veggies are high in fiber, this may be the culprit.

kwest_4_fitness

"Fiber is an essential part of a healthy diet because it aids in maintaining regular bowel movements and producing soft stools for elimination. However, consuming a diet that is either too low or too high in fiber may hinder elimination and lead to constipation. Too little fiber in the body prevents its ability to bind to food and water in the digestive tract, which helps move them through the body.

Furthermore, eating too much fiber or introducing it to your diet too quickly may lead to difficulty in breaking down the food in the digestive tract. This leads to constipation because food is unable to move through the digestive system and remains in the stomach undigested. Finding a healthy balance of appropriate fiber intake as part of a well-balanced diet plan may prevent constipation and digestive upsets"

600racer

Some medications can do the same. I had 3 surgeries in 1 yr and the pain meds put a new meaning to $h**ing a brick. Why they don't just put stool softners in pain meds automaticaly is beyond me. I now have to take Ultram for chronic headaches and even though I've been able to reduce the amount of Ultram I take, I still have to take a stool softner daily.

xcrushx28

#1 cause of constipation is dehydration. At least that's what my professor had told me a couple years ago...

smsavoy

I have had this issues for years, started after i had my daughter. The doctors would just say it was IBS, recently found a great GI doctor that got me going to the bathroom under control. I use to go every two weeks. The dr put me on Miralax every day and cutting out milk producted helped a lot. Then i started eating healty and exercising, now my issues are back. Miralax hasn't been working every since i added the exercise. I am thinking it is because i am not drinking enough water, so my plans is to drink more water this week. If that doesn't work back to the GI doctor i will go.

katiedee2

I had this problem in the past, I was going to WW and the leader told me to eat pears and it didn't matter if fresh or can. This worked for me.

2hobbit1

Just a reminder - there are two kinds of fiber in the foods you eat and you need a balance of the two plus lots of fluids to stay regular.
Soluble fiber is found in lots of fruits/veggies and oat bran. It dissolves in water and will hold onto cholesterol and prevent its absorption. Think of a gooey gel - It slows digestion and keeps you fuller longer. Its what you get a lot of when you kick up the fruit and veggie intake. BUT - It has nothing to do with moving things along!
Insoluble fiber found in wheat bran, whole gains etc has the laxative effect - They increase stool bulk and increase speed of passing.
Psyllium and Metamucil provide insoluable fiber so they can take a while to kick in. Also remember that the insoluble fiber is the one the gut bugs love to ferment. Causing the gas, bloat and cramping common with rapid increases in fiber intake.
The original FiberOne cereal - the twigs are a great source of insoluble fiber and I find it works really well for me. AllBran and bran buds would are about the same - I just like the Fiber one better as a dry snack.
Just be aware that all fiber products are not the same! the Fiber one bars are deadly for me since the fiber source is chicory root extract! I wind up with the bloat and fart issue within an hour or two after eating anything with chicory root extract as the fiber source.
Make sure you check the labels as you try things out so you know what fiber source works or doesn't!

repoman150

you need magnesium citrate. It's what we give patients before they undergo bowel surgery. Works every time.

Take this only if you want to completely clean out....it is just a temporary relief.

secretangel

I have been having a tough month and pretty painful too! So I only drink water now and fresh vegetable+fruit juice once a day and things are getting better

RachNRoll

I suffer from this too.
Some veggies may seem harmless but cause even more constipation.
Like carrots, for example...for me they block me like hell, I had to bann them from my diet.

On the other hand, fiber fiber fiber. But what triggers me are good ol' kiwis. I eat 2 per day and it does wonders. But sometimes I have to take 3 Kiwis, or 2 Kiwis + 1 orange...they're good snacks

edit:
My mom warms up her water (because she says she can't drink it too cold) and she says that she goes to the WC more often and she's happy...you could try that too)

annalee_1

Bump

651055

Easiest natural solution - drink a mug of warm water with a spoonful of honey an an empty stomach in the morning.

Have had issues for years but this did the trick.

KathieSwenson

you need magnesium citrate. It's what we give patients before they undergo bowel surgery. Works every time.

Take this only if you want to completely clean out....it is just a temporary relief.

I was going to say the same thing and if you take it for temporary relief don't plan on going anywhere. It will start about 30 mins to and hour after you drink it and generally the "results" will not stop for 24 hours. You have to stay close to a bathroom. I know because this is what they prescribed me (it's over the counter). For my severe constipation once.

For upping your water intake, I had the same problem. I've never been able to drink more than about two cups of water a day because I wasn't thirsty. What I did is we buy Nestlé pure life bottle water, it's 16.9 oz per a bottle so ruffle 2 cups of water. I drink one full bottle of water at breakfast lunch and dinner. It is part of the dinner and helps with flushing the system also. Then I try to drink a full one at work during the day. If I do that I get my full 8 glasses of water. If I just do the meals I get 6. So right now as long as I strive to finish each bottle at the meal time I get close to if not my slotted amount of water and nestle pure life is cheaper than most bottled water so pretty in expensive. I have a water filter at work so I just use the same bottle and fill it up at lunch and drink it and then my during work ours water as well. It helps me maybe that will help you?

Curvy1taliana

3 magnesium caps at night, @250mg a piece, works like a charm when you wake up in the morning, and most Americans are deficient in it.

nickyfm

ground flaxseed!
Works a charm

nikkillane

High fiber is fantastic, but you have to remember to increase your water accordingly. I know all too well..

Anisima

My cousin with similar problems told me that he found on http://constipationtreatments.info/ the help for his problems.I heard the tips from here are very goo to combat constipation problems.
I hope this helps.

Soozie1978

Prunes people, prunes!!!

This! Worked for me!

CallmeSbo

bump

frumpytofit

bump

TracyAnn625

Miralax is the answer......i mix it with my cream and baileys for a night time drink!!!

QueenJayJay

Never in my adult life have I been regular.

This year, I finally went to a gastro doc. Despite eating better, drinking water, exercising, I was still irregular.

We have ruled out any blockage of the colon (colonoscopy) as I was having some stomach pains that we now are thinking could be my ovaries so now seeing by gyn.

In November, I started using Miralax per the doc. I have been the most regular I have ever been. I think there have only been a few days where I haven't gone.

Long story short, definitely go to the doc. There are so many reasons why you might not be regular. For me, it is just my body's way...no medical reason why.

Same symptoms here. Miralax didn't work. Fiber made things worse. Turns out I had Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Most people think of diarrhea when they think of IBS, but it can also manifest itself in constipation. I take Amitiza for it. It's not a laxative. It's a muscle relaxer that specifically targets my colon, and it works wonders!

lind3400

ummm bump lol

wftiger

Lots of water. Dried pluots work for me (when I don't want them to). Also try to up the fiber, maybe try chia seeds?

I would say depending on how long, you should probably discuss with your MD.

ilbdaycakesli

Yeah, one would think starting this new healthy eating thing would smooth out tummy troubles! Now I'm taking a capsule probiotic and belladonna-phenobarbital to stop the constipation-diarrhea-gas-cramps cycles I've been going through. >_< RE: original poster have you tried probiotic capsules? Make sure they are enteric coated so that they make it to where they need to be and store in the fridge.

LydiaAlb

Had a friend who had this problem and heard on Dr. Oz show to drink peppermint tea, she claims it worked for her after years of trying over the counter products...Good Luck!

Pifflesmom

When people tell me I'm full of s**t, they really know what they're talking about...my dietician recommended ground flax seed and my sister said to up my magnesium intake, so I'm trying that right now. It's hit and miss at the moment...red wine USED to keep me nice and regular, but that had to go bye bye when I started my new healthy eating plan!

demitraknows

A hot cup of sea salt water first thing in the morning helps out alot. A elderly person advised me on this about 2yrs ago and I use it at least once a week. Stay close to home when you do it though..

doubglass

It isn't just how much fiber you consume but also when you eat it. Try balancing fiber intake with every meal.

sonyalear2012

I have chronic constipation from taking years of pain meds...the best thing is to eat fiber one, lots of fruits and vegetables and if that doesnt work Miralax i put 2 cap fuls in sugarfree lemonade about 6 oz late at night and i go really good by morning...