Side Effects Of Herbal Teas
Some laxative ingredients in teas, such as senna, can cause side effects and increase the risk of additional issues, including diarrhea.
The active ingredients in teas can also interact with some medications.
Before taking a tea to relieve constipation, ask a doctor or pharmacist whether the ingredients will interact with any current medications.
Prunes For Constipation Relief
- Prunes were grandma’s remedy. They could be yours, too. Prunes are high in insoluble fiber as well as the natural laxativesorbitol, which can help you “go.”
- Researchers at the University of Iowa tested dried, pitted plums against psyllium in 40 adults who were constipated. Those given the plums had measurably higher spontaneous bowel movements than those given the laxative.
- Prunes juice is also helpful at relieving constipation in babies.
Medically Reviewed on 3/25/2021Aliment Pharmacol TherJournal of Nutrition
Whole Grain Bread For Constipation Relief
Whole grains have lots of fiber, which is a good choice not only for the bowels, but also the heart.
- Researchers at the University of Finland in Helsinki found whole grain rye bread to be better than wheat bread and laxatives for relieving constipation. They reported their findings in the Journal of Nutrition in 2010. Their subjects ate enough slices to get 30 grams of fiber a day, but you don’t have to eat that much for it to work.
- Arabinoxylan, the main component of dietary fiber in rye, helps keep food moving through the intestine.
- Ezekiel bread is another good choice for relief of constipation. It is bread made of sprouted whole grains and legumes, which provides a good dose of fiber and nutrients.
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How To Prevent Medication
Not everyone will become constipated when using these medications. However, you should be aware of the possible side effects and what you can do to prevent constipation.
In general, you want to make sure you are well hydrated with water, not coffee or carbonated beverages, says Dr. Curtin. You also want to have a healthy amount of fiber in your diet and try to limit processed foods. It is worth asking your doctor if there are alternative agents. Calcium channel blockers, used for high blood pressure, such as diltiazem, for example, are notorious for causing constipation. If there is another class of medication that can treat the underlying health problem, you should at least be given the option.
Fortunately, there are some relatively simple nonpharmacologic approaches to preventing constipation.
What Are The Symptoms Of Constipation
Symptoms of constipation may include:
- Dry, hard, and lumpy feces
- Passing fewer than three stools per week
- Having to strain or push hard when having a bowel movement
- Feeling like something is stuck in your bowel preventing you from having a bowel movement
- Feeling like you cant fully empty your bowels.
Other conditions, such as hemorrhoids or anal fissures may occur as a result of repeated straining to have a bowel motion. Untreated constipation may lead to fecal impaction or a rectal prolapse .
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Drink Plenty Of Water
Every cell in your body needs water to function to its best ability. If you don’t drink enough water, your body will compensate by pulling water out of your intestines. This may result in hard stools that contribute to constipation.
Drink water throughout your day. You will know that you are drinking enough if your urine is clear.
Nuts And Seeds For Constipation Relief
Nuts are a filling food that is also packed with fiber to help ease constipation.
- Almonds, pecans, and walnuts have more fiber than other nuts. Just 1 ounce of almonds contains 3.5 g fiber, 1 ounce of pecans contains 2.7 g fiber, and 1 ounce of walnuts has 1.9 g fiber.
- Seeds are another good fiber-filled choice for constipation relief. A scant 1 tablespoon of sesame seeds contains 1.1 g fiber, while 1 ounce of pumpkin seeds has a whopping 5 g fiber. Sprinkle seeds on top of salads for added fiber and crunch.
Remember that nuts and seeds are high in calories, so keep portions small. Choose nuts and seeds that are raw or dry roasted, rather than roasted in oil.
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How Do Doctors Treat Constipation
If self-care treatments dont work, your doctor may prescribe a medicine to treat your constipation. If youre taking an over-the-counter or prescription medicine or supplement that can cause constipation, your doctor may suggest you stop taking it, change the dose, or switch to a different one. Talk with your doctor before changing or stopping any medicines.
How Should I Use Docusate
Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor.
Drink plenty of liquids while you are using docusate.
Measure liquid medicine carefully. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device .
Do not take the rectal enema by mouth. Rectal medicine is for use only in the rectum.
Wash your hands before and after using the enema.
To use the enema, lie on your left side with your left leg extended and your right leg slightly bent. Remove the cap from the applicator tip and gently insert the tip into your rectum. Slowly squeeze the bottle to empty the contents into the rectum.
After using the enema, lie down on your left side for at least 30 minutes to allow the liquid to distribute throughout your intestines. Avoid using the bathroom, and hold in the enema at least 1 hour, or all night if possible.
Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not understand these instructions.
Docusate generally produces bowel movement in 12 to 72 hours. Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 72 hours.
You should not use docusate for longer than 1 week, unless your doctor tells you to.
Store at room temperature away from moisture, light, and heat. Do not freeze liquid medicine.
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Relief With Fermenting Fruits For Constipation
Fruits do not need any help for digestion. The intestines absorb all the nutrients and vitamins from fruits in less than 30 minutes. If we eat fruits with our intestines filled with stool, they will start to ferment. Also, they will remain blocked and will perturb digestion.
Fruits offer immediate constipation relief only because of fermentation. The process creates gas and forces the stool nearby to move towards evacuation. Also, the gas will evacuate itself without delay and warning. This thing is called flatulence. It can sometimes create embarrassing situations, as mentioned in the last chapter.
Sometimes you can hear the sound of gas moving towards the large intestines. Not to mention when we âaccidentallyâ fart without warning.
The effect over the stool evacuation takes less than 1 hour. Fruits digest quickly . If they stay blocked in the intestines, they will start to produce gas. The longer they stay blocked, the higher the chances are fruits turn into alcohol.
Could Laxatives Cause Problems With Any Medicines Or Supplements I Take
Laxatives can get in the way of how your body absorbs certain medicines and nutrients. Dont take any other medicines within 2 hours of taking a laxative. If youre taking a prescription medicine of any kind, talk to your doctor before taking a laxative. You also shouldnt mix different types of laxatives. This includes oral laxatives and suppositories. Dont take bisacodyl within 1 hour of taking antacids or drinking milk.
Mineral oil and castor oil are sometimes used as laxatives. They shouldnt be used often. If mineral oil is used often, it can cause deficiencies of vitamins A, D, E, and K. Castor oil is a stimulant laxative. Using it a lot can cause you to lose muscle tone in your bowel. This can lead to long-term constipation. Mineral oil and castor oil also interact with some medicines. These include blood-thinners, antibiotics such as tetracycline, and certain heart and bone medicines.
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Black Tea Green Tea Or Coffee
Stimulating teas and coffee also have a laxative effect.
Black tea, green tea, and coffee naturally contain caffeine, a stimulant that speeds up bowel movements in many people.
People often drink these beverages in the morning to wake themselves up and encourage a bowel movement.
Caffeine can have negative side effects in people who are sensitive to it, however.
Here Are Some Examples Of Everyday Situations When An Immediate Relief Is Recommended:
1. When having Exams
You need to let your brain focus on what`s important when having an exam. Signals of constipation and pain split your attention, especially when having a small amount of time to pass a certain test. We do not need pain, intestinal pressure or the need to go to the toilet when trying to pass an exam. We should have a normal healthy state, and our intestines/abdomen area relaxed.
2. When going for an Interview
Interviews create anxiety and frustration most of the time. Dealing with anxiety and nervousness creates lots of tension around the nervous system. Because the abdomen area is so sensitive to an emotional stimulus, it will be on in alert mode. This thing causes abnormal digestion and stool evacuation. It can also lead to fast dehydration.
3. When Learning or Studying
Maybe immediate relief for constipation might be risky and harmful for an exam or an interview. But this can be beneficial before or after long periods of studying. Learning and assimilating information can put us stationary on a chair in front of a desk. Staying on a chair for long periods of time is not beneficial to digestion, not to mention muscles and blood circulation.
4. When going on a Date
5. When you Drive for long periods of time
Similar to studying, driving puts us in our seats with the seat belt over. In this position, we put pressure over the intestines and let the blocked stool remain in its position.
6. When Practicing Sports
7. After eating Rotten Food
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Eating When You Have Constipation
Try these things to relieve your constipation:
- Do not skip meals.
- Avoid processed or fast foods, such as white breads, pastries, doughnuts, sausage, fast-food burgers, potato chips, and French fries.
Many foods are good natural laxatives that will help you move your bowels. High-fiber foods help move waste through your body. Add foods with fiber to your diet slowly, because eating more fiber can cause bloating and gas.
Drink 8 to 10 cups of liquids, particularly water, every day.
Ask your health care provider how much fiber to take each day. Males, females, and different age groups all have different daily fiber needs.
Most fruits will help ease constipation. Berries, peaches, apricots, plums, raisins, rhubarb, and prunes are just some of the fruits that may help. Do not peel fruits that have edible skins, because a lot of the fiber is in the skin.
Choose breads, crackers, pasta, pancakes, and waffles made with whole grains, or make your own. Use brown rice or wild rice instead of white rice. Eat high-fiber cereals.
Vegetables can also add fiber to your diet. Some high-fiber vegetables are asparagus, broccoli, corn, squash, and potatoes . Salads made with lettuce, spinach, and cabbage will also help.
Legumes , peanuts, walnuts, and almonds will also add fiber to your diet.
Other foods you can eat are:
- Fish, chicken, turkey, or other lean meats. These do not have fiber, but they will not make constipation worse.
- Snacks such as raisin cookies, fig bars, and popcorn.
Here Are A Few Examples Of Vegetables That Contain Fructose And Act Similar To Fruits:
- beets, radishes, tomatoes, carrots
- cabbage, red onions, potatoes, pumpkins
- sweet corn, sweet peppers, zucchini
- radicchio, red beets
Fruits for constipation improve digestion because they clean the intestines using dietary fiber, only if we eat them alone. Fiber helps clean the intestine walls and receptors.
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Best Fruits For Constipation
Fruits are a great option for easing constipation. Most are an excellent source of dietary fiber, along with providing you with a whole host of other nutritional benefits. Although there is no hard science on the matter, you may find that your body responds better to fruit that has been cooked or dried, as opposed to raw.
Here are some fruits that are thought to be helpful in easing constipation.
- Raisins
Sweet Potatoes For Constipation Relief
- One medium baked sweet potato with skin has 3.8 grams of fiber, which can help get things moving along. This high fiber content in sweet potatoes helps prevent and relieve constipation. The skin contains most of the fiber so leave it on for the biggest benefits.
- Regular baked potatoes are also a good source of fiber, with 3 grams in a small baked potato. Leave the skin on, and high-calorie toppings such as butter or sour cream off.
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Medical Treatment For Constipation
Medicine
If over-the-counter treatments donât do the job, your doctor may prescribe a different kind of medication.
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Prescription laxatives such as linaclotide, lubiprostone, and plecanatide work by increasing the amount of water in your intestines and speeding up the movement of stool. Note that Amitiza is approved for use only in women.
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Serotonin 5-hydroxytryptamine 4 receptors. Prucalopride is a powerful stimulant thatâs used for chronic constipation without a known cause.
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PAMORAs. This is a shorter way of saying âperipherally acting mu-opioid receptor antagonists.â These work on constipation thatâs caused by opioid pain medicines. These drugs include methylnaltrexone and naloxegol
Surgery for constipation treatment
Sometimes constipation is caused by a structural problem in your colon or rectum. Your colon may be blocked or unusually narrow, or you may have a partial collapse or a bulge in the wall of your rectum. In that case, surgery can correct the problem.
Surgery may also be a last resort if your colon just works too slowly and treatments havenât helped. You may need to have a section of your colon removed.
What Counts As Constipation Anyway
Its a myth that a daily bowel movement is essential to good health, Wald says. But having fewer than three bowel movements per week, excessive straining, a sense of not being finished, or having hard, lumpy stools are signals you may have constipation.
About 15 percent of Americans suffer from the condition for months and even years, studies show. Women are three times as likely as men to experience constipation, and seniors are also at high risk.
Occasional constipation is quite common, says Brian Lacy, MD, a gastroenterologist at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla., and co-editor in chief of The American Journal of Gastroenterology. Many patients note a change in their usual bowel habits when they change their daily routine, travel, change their diet , or reduce their level of activity.
But for some people the condition becomes chronic, with uncomfortable symptoms lasting three months or longer.
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Best Ayurvedic Medicine For Constipation In India 2022
Do you know nearly 22% of our population suffers from constipation on a regular basis? Are you one of those?
Constipation is quite common nowadays. But, if not treated well, it can get awful.
There are quite remedies that can be tried for constipation but Ayurvedic medicines stand apart.
Ayurvedic treatments for constipation are gaining popularity. These treatments not only solve the problem with their instant and effective relief, but they also are free from any side effects.
If you too are interested in finding the best Ayurvedic medicine for constipation, then here are some of the names that you can try.
Summary: The Best Laxatives For Constipation
Laxatives are an important and effective treatment option for those suffering from constipation.
However, its important to recognize potential harms and safety practices as they are typically not intended for ongoing use. Always speak with your doctor first.
Start with bulk-forming laxatives like psyllium husk fiber to bulk and soften stool in cases of mild constipation. If this doesnt work, seek more aggressive treatments, like polyethylene glycol , which is safe for daily use.
Improving your diet and lifestyle by eating fiber-rich foods, staying hydrated, exercising regularly and taking probiotics are also important ways to prevent and treat chronic constipation.
With the right treatment you can get back to feeling like your old self once more.
About Erin Peisach
Erin Peisach, RDN, CLT attended the University of Maryland, College Park for her Bachelor’s degree in Dietetics. She is now the owner of Nutrition by Erin, a San Diego-based virtual nutrition private practice specializing in gastrointestinal disorders.
Learn more about her on the About page.
Joe Leech, Dietitian
Recent Posts
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Aesculus Hippocastanum And Collinsonia Canadensis For Constipation With Piles
Aesculus Hippocastanum and Collinsonia Canadensis have shown the most remarkable recoveries in cases of constipation with piles. Aesculus Hippocastanum is a medicine for constipation advised in case of dry, hard, knotty stool with painful piles. There is a sensation of small sticks stuck in the rectum. Pain may worsen while walking. Aesculus Hippocastanum is useful for piles that are bleeding or blind type. A severe lower back ache attends piles complaints, which it also treats. The characteristic features to look out for using Collinsonia Canadensis are protruding piles with hard stool. Itching or constriction at the anus may also be noticed. The medicine for constipation is well indicated for constipation during pregnancy.
Recommendations On Safe Laxative Use
Safe laxative practices are important to avoid potential harms.
First, always follow the advice of your medical professional regarding product type, dosing and duration. Most laxatives are not intended for long-term use.
Laxatives are generally safe for people over the age of 12, but be sure to avoid certain laxatives not intended for specific populations .
Be sure to use laxatives with at least six to eight cups of additional water to avoid dehydration.
Summary: Use laxatives as instructed and stay adequately hydrated.
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