Stay up to date on all things constipation. Sign up and we’ll send you the latest news, resources, scientific breakthroughs, events, tips, and much more.
So what about home remedies? The mineral oil as your grandmother might recommend, can be effective. However, you have to be very careful if a patient consumes mineral oil, because suppose it goes down the wrong way. It goes down and their windpipe, that that can cause significant problems as far as inflammation and irritation of the lung. And so mineral oil by mouth is probably not preferred. A better method would be a mineral oil enema. So basically you're lubricating the tract, making it easier for the patient to pass a stool.
So what about home remedies? The mineral oil as your grandmother might recommend, can be effective. However, you have to be very careful if a patient consumes mineral oil, because suppose it goes down the wrong way. It goes down and their windpipe, that that can cause significant problems as far as inflammation and irritation of the lung. And so mineral oil by mouth is probably not preferred. A better method would be a mineral oil enema. So basically you're lubricating the tract, making it easier for the patient to pass a stool.
So what are other things that patients can do? Well, naturally, if they've noted that prune juice or consuming raisins help them, that's natural, is a good source of fiber to get things going. So we oftentimes will recommend that. Now, if there are certain types of herbal remedies, certain types of medications that are used by other disciplines that you're not familiar with the ingredients, it's probably best to avoid those.
What about treatments? Initially when we see patients who have constipation, we'll recommend pretty much dietary intake, fluid intake. Now, if that doesn't help, then we also encourage folks to make sure that they have increased fiber in their diet. Let's say, they've tried it, doesn't work, then we would move on to stool softeners. But let's say patient tried it, didn't work. What else? Well, you want to make sure that when you've done your assessment of the patient that hey, are they taking pain medications? Are they taking certain types of anti-histamines things which can dry the patient out? And so therefore, constipation is a natural consequence. You have to try to eliminate and remove all those types of things. And then, let's say, you've done that. Patient still has constipation. There are some new agents such as linaclotide, which can be used for patients who have significant chronic constipation. And one other thing I should mention, in the case of patients who have to take chronic opioids, there are also new medications which can help with constipation and still allow the patient to have the pain-relieving effect of medication.
In reference to what type of fiber should one consume? Well, it's actually your choice. It's ideal if you have enough fiber in your diet, fresh fruits, vegetables, a salad a day is great, but if that's not possible or feasible for whatever reason, then yes, fiber powder, supplement, or capsule will do the trick just as well.
So what can you do to prevent constipation? Well, as we mentioned, consume appropriate amounts of fluid, make sure you have enough fiber in your diet, get eight hours of sleep at night, because that'll help you if you can, and also exercise within your limits.
Send this to a friend