What Is The Cause And Treatment For Constipation?

Posted on Fri, 14 Mar 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 14 Mar 2014 Answered on

Thu, 3 Apr 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi. i'm confused about how to approach constipation. Some people say eat more fruits and vegetables, and I do, I eat a lot. Some say eat more whole grain cereals and some say stay away from them. I've been off grains for a while but have made some cereal with oat XXXXXXX linseed, chopped dates and nuts, and slippery elm powder. Does that sound good? I used to eat brown rice, is it good to go back to that? Some say I need more protein, fats and oils, and I've been vegan but now I'm starting to eat fish. But what kind of fish? I'm not keen to have fresh fish in the fridge, is it OK to open a tin of sardines? I do have heart healthy oils like olive and flaxseed. I've also been told to take pro-biotic supplements, well I got one product and it seems to be making my constipation worse. But I have pro-biotic punch and kombucha, and some miso soup, do you think that's enough if I ditch the supplement? What about herbal laxatives? Are they really bad? I use a Caruso's product called 'Bowel Clear' which contains various herbs. And Senokot. Is there something you can recommend? Some days I go OK, but other times I get bound up no matter what I do. Would love to have your advice Regards XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (2 hours later)

Brief Answer: constipation is a chronic problem Detailed Answer: I have studied your case and I agree with you that constipation is really a frustrating disease. As you are thinking that modifying food habit can correct your constipation , you are only partially correct. Bowel movements and digestion system is different in every body , and that is not correctable just by changing food. So i have theses advice for you. 1. Take more fibres, salad, and whole wheat flour.Avoid fast food like burgar . 2. Take 2 TSF cremmaffin syrup daily at bed time. 3. Do not eat after 10 o clock,as frequent eating changes bowel rythem. 4. Drink lot of water,and walk for half an hour before going to bed. 5. There should be minimum gap of 1 hour between dinner and sleep. 5. Try to form a routine about time, when you go to toilet. Never be lazy about this. 6. If despite that you had constipation , take 2 tab dulcolax, you will pass stool in 2 to 4 hours. Please let me know if you want to ask any thing else. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E