Constipation--hard, small stools, passed infrequently--can be very uncomfortable, but it usually doesn't signal disease or a serious problem. The "cure" for constipation consists of correcting the sort of dietary habits that make bowel habits irregular.
- Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. They serve as natural stool softeners, thanks to their fiber content. Some fiber absorbs water like a sponge, turning hard stool into large, soft, easy-to-pass masses.
- Eat other foods high in fiber, like whole-grain breads and cereals and bran.
- Drink plenty of water and other liquids, to give the fiber plenty of water to absorb.
- Get plenty of exercise, to help your bowels move things along.
- Don't resist the urge to eliminate or put off a trip to the bathroom.
- Keep in mind that drugs such as antacids and iron supplements can be binding, and stay away from them if you get constipated easily.
- If necessary, you may need an over-the-counter stool softener, Ask your doctor.
- Try these measures before you consider resorting to laxatives. If you rely on laxatives for a prolonged time, your body loses its natural elimination reflex--the bowel can't evacuate as well on its own. Long-term use of stimulant laxatives can also lead to a mineral imbalance.
- Enemas can relieve a serious case of constipation. But don't use them regularly.
- If you're still constipated no matter what you try, ask your doctor for advice. Constipation can be the side effect of certain medications (including diuretics) or result from a medical problem (such as hemorrhoids, anal fissures, or an underactive thyroid gland) or problems with the large intestine (such as a tumor or diverticular disease).
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