Constipation; Symptoms, Causes, Treatment & Prevention

It’s thought that the best time to go is minutes after eating. With the majority of doctors recommending a trip to the loo in the morning, about 20 minutes after eating breakfast. 2011 study also advocated for abdominal massage which in individual patient cases had been effective for those with constipation. It’s thought that the oil works to stimulate your digestive system and get things moving through your colon. So try knocking back a tablespoon first thing – you can add a little lemon juice to disguise the flavour.

When you fail to eat adequate amounts of fiber, things can get backed up. Fiber is the non-digestible component of plant foods, such as fruits, veggies, whole grains, pulses, nuts and seeds. If lifestyle approaches don't help, you can turn to over-the-counter laxatives, such as Benefiber or Dulcolax, says Politi. Get in touch with your primary care provider if you've been constipated for more than three weeks and your bowel movements are accompanied by severe pain and blood. Fiber supplements, such as Benefiber, Citrucel, or Metamucil, increase the amount of fiber in your body, which draws water to make stool softer and bulkier.

Ask your pharmacist or doctor for help in making a choice. Do not use laxatives for more than two weeks without calling your doctor. Damage to your pelvic floor muscles from straining to move your bowels. Too much straining for too long a period of time may cause urine to leak from the bladder .

Making sure you drink enough fluids such as water may help some people with constipation. Fluids make bowel movements softer and easier to pass. Essential for regular bowel movements, exercise stimulates the contraction of the intestinal muscles, speeding the passage of stools. Constipation is defined as passing hard, dry stool or having fewer than three bowel movements a week. One of the most common digestive complaints in the United States, constipation affects most people at some point in their lives.

Chances are it has affected you or a loved one at some point, so we’ve all got some experience with constipation in one form or another. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never ignore professional medical advice in seeking treatment because of something you read on the internet. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Set a regular meal schedule.Eating is a natural stimulant for the bowels, so regular meals may help you develop routine bowel habits.

These include lubiprostone (Amitiza®), prucalopride (Prudac®, Motegrity®), plecanatide (Trulance®), lactulose (Cephulac®, Kristalose®) and linaclotide (Linzess®). Your doctor will pick the drug that might work best for you based on the results of your tests. If needed, take a very mild 便秘解消 over-the-counter stool softener or laxative (such as docusate [Colace®] or Milk of Magnesia®). Mineral oil enemas, like Fleet®, and stimulant laxatives, like bisacodyl (Dulcolax®) or senna (Senokot®), are other options.

This test also can diagnose problems that can cause constipation, such as rectocele or rectal prolapse. In this procedure, your doctor inserts a narrow, flexible tube into your anus and rectum and then inflates a small balloon at the tip of the tube. The device is then pulled back through the sphincter muscle. This procedure allows your doctor to measure the coordination of the muscles you use to move your bowels. Drinking enough water helps your gastrointestinal tract create the right consistency of stool.

Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Dr. Lin has two recommendations when it comes to heat therapy.