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If you are suffering from mild to moderate constipation (having a bowel movement fewer than three times per week), constipation can be treated at home by making some changes to your diet. The most essential change is to eat a well-balanced diet with plenty of fiber. Fiber and water aid in the process of stool passage through the colon. Some foods high in fiber include fruits, legumes, and whole-grain breads and cereals.
Guidelines for Managing Constipation:
- Increase fluids to at least six to eight glasses per day
- Eat a diet high in fiber
- Eat fresh fruts, fruit juices, and vegetables
- Avoid pasta, pastries, cheese, rice, and foods with white sugar
- Excersize regulary
- Establish a regular time for defacation (best times for evacuations are usually after a meal)
- Drink warm prune juice or other warm beverages one hour before scheduled defacation time to stimulate urge
- Use toilet or bedside commode instead of a bedpan if possible (ideal position is a modified squatting position with feet places on a stool)
- Relax by reading or listening to music in the bathroom
- Allow suffiicent time in the bathroom
- Don’t delay when you have the urge to evacuate
- Avoid laxative and enema use
- Take stool softener, suppositores or laxatices as ordered (overuse of laxatives can cause constipation)
- Use enemas or manaul disimpaction for severe constipation
- Report constipation that frequently reoccurs or that does not respond to treatment to physician
