How to get rid of constipation

Constipation Treatment

In this Article

There are a few effective constipation treatments.

What is Constipation?

If you can’t go, it’s often because there isn’t enough water in your stool, a problem that occurs when you don’t drink enough fluids.

According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, part of the National Institutes of Health, constipation is a condition in which you have fewer than three bowel movements in a week, and your stools are hard, dry, and small, making them painful and difficult to pass. Some people naturally have a bowel movement a few times a day, while others go just a few times a week. You don’t need constipation treatments unless you’re going to the bathroom a lot less often than usual.

Constipation Treatments

You have a lot of options for treating constipation. What you choose will depend on why you’re blocked, and whether it’s a new or a long-term problem for you.

Constipation Home Remedies

You may be able to solve your constipation problem yourself, without your doctor’s help. It may seem obvious, but your diet has a big impact on how you poop.

Eat more fiber. Fiber makes stool bulkier and softer so it’s easier to pass. Gradually increase the amount of fiber in your diet until you’re getting at least 20 to 35 grams of fiber daily. Good sources include whole grains found in cereals, breads, and brown rice, beans, vegetables and fresh or dried fruits. Prunes and bran cereal are tried and true constipation remedies.

Stay hydrated.В Water is important for preventing constipation, too. Try to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day.

Try coffee. While caffeinated drinks and alcohol can make you dehydrated, there’s evidence a cup of coffee of tea in the morning may help you poop.

Limit high fat/low fiber food.Cheese and other dairy products, processed foods, and meat can make constipation worse.

Watch your FODMAPs.Certain carbohydrates cause digestive problems, including constipation, in some people. The names of the carbohydrates are abbreviated “FODMAPs.” Foods that contain them include dairy, apples, broccoli, wheat, and lentils. You might try cutting individual foods from your diet, but do it carefully. A lot of them are good sources of fiber and other nutrients you need.

Other things you can do to relieve constipation include:

Exercise regularly. Moving your body will keep your bowels moving, too.

Adjust your toilet posture. It may be easier to poop if you squat, raise your legs, or lean back.

Check your meds.В Many prescription drugs can cause constipation. Ask your doctor if this might be the problem and if there’s an alternative.В В

Biofeedback. Some people get constipated because they unconsciously clench their muscles when they try to poop. A therapist can help you train your pelvic floor muscles to relax.

Massage.В Massaging your own abdomen in a certain pattern can help encourage bowel movements.

Enemas.В You can irrigate your colon with either tap water or an over-the-counter preparation to soften and flush out the contents.

Suppositories.В Some over-the-counter constipation medications are meant to be inserted directly into the rectum. They typically work faster than laxatives you take by mouth.

Prebiotics and probiotics. You may have digestive issues, including constipation, because of an imbalance in the bacteria that live naturally in your intestines. Supplements or foods containing prebiotics, like bananas and oatmeal, and probiotics, like yogurt and fermented foods, may help.В В В В В В В В В В В

Laxatives for constipation treatmentВ

A box of laxatives shouldn’t be the first place you turn to relieve constipation. Reserve laxatives for constipation that doesn’t improve after you’ve added fiber and water to your diet.

If your doctor recommends laxatives, ask what type is best for you, and for how long you should take them. Laxatives are best taken short-term only, because you don’t want to start relying on them to go to the bathroom. Also ask how to ease off laxatives when you no longer need them. Stopping them too abruptly can affect your colon’s ability to contract.

Laxatives come in several forms:

Bulk-forming fiber supplementsВ include calcium polycarbophil (Equilactin, Fibercon), methylcellulose fiber (Citrucel), and psyllium (Fiber-Lax, Konsyl, Metamucil), and wheat dextrin (Benefiber). Unlike other laxatives, you can take these every day. They make the stool bigger and softer. Although they are safe to use regularly, fiber supplements can interfere with your body’s ability to absorb certain medicines, and they may cause bloating, cramps, and gas. Drink a lot of water with them.

Lubricant laxatives, including Zymenol, help the stool pass more easily through the colon. In general, doctors do not recommend using mineral oil or castor oil. Mineral oil can cause problems such as vitamin deficiencies, and castor oil can lead to long-term constipation.

Osmotic laxativessuch as lactitol (Pizensy), lactulose (Kristalose), magnesium hydroxide (Milk of Magnesia), polyethylene glycol (Miralax), and Sorbitol help fluids move through your intestines. If you have diabetes, ask your doctor before taking osmotics because they can cause electrolyte imbalances.

Stimulant laxativessuch as bisacodyl (Correctol, Dulcolax, Feen-a-Mint) and sennosides (Ex-Lax, Senokot) make the muscles in your intestines contract to help push stool out. These laxatives work quickly, but they can cause side effects, including cramping and diarrhea, so use them for as short a period of time as possible.

Stool softeners such as docusate calcium (Surfak) and docusate sodium (Colace) make stools easier to pass by adding fluid to them. Having softer stool can prevent you from having to strain during bowel movements. Your doctor may recommend one of these products if your constipation is due to childbirth or surgery.

Medical Treatment for Constipation

Medicine

If over-the-counter treatments don’t do the job, your doctor may prescribe a different kind of medication.

Prescription laxatives such as linaclotide, (Linzess) lubiprostone, (Amitiza) and plecanatide (Trulance) 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.

Serotonin 5-hydroxytryptamine 4 receptors. Prucalopride (Motegrity) is a powerful stimulant that’s used for chronic constipation without a known cause.

PAMORAs. This is a shorter way of saying “peripherally acting mu-opioid receptor antagonists.” These work on constipation that’s caused by opioid pain medicines. These drugsВ include methylnaltrexone (Relistor) and naloxegol (Movantik.)В

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 haven’t helped. You may need to have a section of your colon removed.

When Constipation Is a Regular Problem

Regardless of what constipation treatment you use, give yourself enough time to sit on the toilet when you need to go. Holding in the urge can make your constipation worse. Set aside a regular time of the day when you know you’ll be left undisturbed for several minutes.

Call your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms with constipation:

Inability to have a bowel movement

Also, call if you’ve been having trouble going for more than three weeks and constipation treatments aren’t working. You may have a condition called Chronic Idiopathic Constipation (CIC) which means your constipation may be caused by something other than physical or physiological.

Show Sources

National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC): «Constipation.»

American Gastroenterological Association: «Understanding Constipation.»

American Academy of Family Physicians: «Constipation.»

Feldman M. Sleisenger and Fordtran’s Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease, 9 th ed. Saunders Elsevier; 2010.

American Academy of Family Physicians: «Laxatives: OTC Products for Constipation.»

Legato MJ. Principles of Gender-Specific Medicine, Volume 1. Academic Press, 2009.

Cleveland Clinic: Constipation: Management and Treatment.”

UpToDate: “Constipation in adults (Beyond the basics).”

Johns Hopkins Medicine: “ FODMAP diet: What You Need to Know.”

Harvard Health Publishing: “Try a FODMAPSs diet to manage irritable bowel syndrome.” “Probiotics may ease constipation.”

Mayo Clinic: “Constipation,” “Prebiotics, probiotics and your health.”

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease: “Treatment for Constipation.”

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center: “Abdominal Massage.”

Current Clinical Pharmacology: “Therapeutic Effects of Prebiotics in Constipation: A Review.”

Medscape: “Constipation Medication,” “Constipation Treatment and Management.”

How to Deal With Constipation

This article was medically reviewed by Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS. Luba Lee, FNP-BC is a board certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and educator in Tennessee with over a decade of clinical experience. Luba has certifications in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Emergency Medicine, Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Team Building, and Critical Care Nursing. She received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from the University of Tennessee in 2006.

There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.

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Experts say constipation is very common, so you likely don’t need to worry if you’re occasionally backed up. You may be constipated if you’re having fewer than three bowel movements a week, your stools are hard and lumpy, you’re straining to have a bowel movement, or you can’t pass a whole bowel movement. [1] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source Research suggests that you may not need to have a bowel movement every day, but you may be constipated if there’s a change to your bowel movements. [2] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source Fortunately, you have options for treating your constipation so you can find relief.

13 ways to relieve constipation quickly and how to prevent it

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Constipation, or having a bowel movement less than thrice a week, is normal every once in a while, but it can be highly uncomfortable and painful if it persists beyond that.

Symptoms include dry, hard stools that are difficult to pass, feel uncomfortably full, and the constant feeling that you haven’t fully emptied your bowels even after going to the bathroom.

To naturally relieve constipation, it’s important to exercise regularly, drink plenty of water, and eat more foods that are rich in fiber, a type of carbohydrate that stimulates digestion.

«Increasing fiber intake can help with constipation as fiber helps move food through the digestive system,» says Ayana Davis, MS, a registered dietitian nutritionist at the UCSF Cancer Center and the owner of Ayana Davis Nutrition.

You can try easily available over-the-counter laxatives for immediate constipation relief, such as stool softeners and fiber supplements. You can also encourage a bowel movement by elevating your feet on a stool.

Here are the foods you should consume and avoid and the laxatives you can take when you’re constipated.

5 OTC laxatives for constipation relief

Several types of over-the-counter laxatives can relieve constipation, such as:

Many individuals tend to overuse laxatives, which can cause your body to become dependent on them.

It’s best to avoid using them habitually because severe cases of dependence may cause damage to the tissues, nerves, and muscles of your intestines and bowels.

If you do decide to use laxatives, start with a quarter or half dose to see how it affects your body.

8 foods that naturally relieve constipation

Diet can be one of the main sources of constipation. Most people consume only 15 grams of fiber per day, which is about half of the recommended daily fiber intake. It’s important to eat about 25 to 38 grams of fiber daily to avoid and relieve constipation.

There are plenty of foods with high fiber content, such as:

«It is best to gradually increase fiber intake by five grams per day,» says Davis, because adding fiber too quickly can lead to abdominal cramps, bloating, or intestinal gas and can sometimes make constipation worse.

6 foods that make constipation worse

According to Elisabetta Politi, MPH, RD, LDN, a dietitian clinician at the Duke University Diet & Fitness Center, foods with low fiber content can make constipation worse, which include:

Diets that are low in fiber don’t just cause or aggravate constipation, but can also result in appendicitis and hemorrhoids as well. It’s important to meet the daily recommended fiber intake to avoid the health risks that are associated with a low-fiber diet.

When to see a doctor for constipation

You should contact your doctor if you go beyond three days without a bowel movement and this is unusual for you, says Davis.

While hormonal changes and the lack of physical activity may result in the occasional bout of constipation, chronic constipation or extremely infrequent bowel movements can have several causes, which include:

If you experience symptoms like severe abdominal pain, unintended weight loss, blood in the stool, or vomiting, you need to get in touch with your primary care provider.

Insider’s takeaway

Fiber adds bulk to your stool and aids in digestion, so eating more fiber-rich foods such as fruits, legumes, leafy greens, and coffee may help with constipation. It’s best to gradually increase your fiber intake to avoid gas or bloating.

To relieve and avoid constipation, make sure that you exercise regularly, have a fiber-rich diet, and drink plenty of water every day. Avoid eating unripe bananas, refined carbs, or fried food, which makes your constipation worse.

If lifestyle approaches don’t help, you can turn to over-the-counter laxatives, such as Benefiber or Dulcolax, says Politi. Get in touch with your primary care provider if you’ve been constipated for more than three weeks and your bowel movements are accompanied by severe pain and blood.

Get rid of constipation fast at home

Want to get rid of constipation fast at home? You’ve come to the right place.

Senna leaves, isabgol and other laxatives take 8-10 hours to work.

This post outlines a simple 3-step technique ….

…that may provide instant constipation relief in less than 15 minutes.

Step 1: Flex your gut muscles

First, find a flat surface. A yoga mat or a bed will work.

Lie down, face up, and hug your knees like this.

Step 1 of how to get rid of constipation fast at home

Hold it for a few seconds, and then let go.

Repeat 2-3 times to free your legs.

Now, repeat one more time but this time, hug your knees as tight as you can.

Breathe out, and raise your head to your knees.

Try to hold for 5 counts.

If you can do 5, push for 10.

If you can do 10, push for 15.

Relax, breathe in again.

Repeat one more time.

Here is a guided video for you.

If you want to try something a little more advanced, try this variation instead.

Step 2: Build pressure

After step 1, get a large glass of water.

Heat it until it is warm. That’s about 50 to 60 degrees.

If you are doing it in the oven, keep it for 20 seconds.

Sip on it while sitting down. Once you have finished the glass, walk around for 300 – 500 steps.

This will give some time for the water to settle in your stomach.

You may start feeling a bit of pressure.

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If you don’t, gently massage your gut in a counter clockwise session.

Note: your gut is roughly an inch around your belly button. That’s what you want to target.

There is a chance you’ll feel a knot in the bottom left or bottom right hand side.

Gently press down on it. Don’t press it too hard – your aim is to just move the knot along your digestive system.

Try to push it clockwise from right to left.

If you feel some pressure, head straight for the bathroom.

If you don’t, you still need to head to the bathroom for step 3.

Step 3: Open the gates

If you are using a typical, western toilet, try to find a small stool that helps you raise your knees above your waist.

The position looks something like this.

Step 3 of how to get rid of constipation fast at home

If you don’t have a step stool, you can use an upside down bucket.

Studies have conclusively proved that the human body was designed to poop in a squatting position.

Try it once, and you’ll understand how large of a difference it makes.

That’s the three step technique that has worked for over 80% of people struggling with constipation – chronic or mild.

Just have faith. There is no reason it won’t work for you too.

Get rid of constipation fast at home, long-term

If you have a little bit of time, you can try a laxative the night before.

The two most commonly used, natural laxatives include senna leaves and isabgol.

Senna leaves work by contracting the colon, so your waste moves.

Isabgol adds more mass to push your waste. Isabgol side effects can be painful so its’s better to find an alternate.

Both are certified safe in small quantities, but will only provide temporary relief.

If you are looking to get rid of constipation at home, permanently, you may want to start by reading this guide.

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How to Get Rid of Constipation Naturally

Constipation is perhaps one of the most common health nuisances there is, and you are likely to suffer through it at some point or the other. The discomforts of constipation can ruin a great day. Unfortunately, constipation is a common problem with numerous causes.

Studies show certain lifestyle and dietary habits can contribute to the problem. The good news is modifying these risk factors or trying out a few natural remedies can often relieve constipation without the need for medications.

Constipation is a condition in which there is difficulty emptying the bowels and is usually associated with hardened feces. The food undergoes much of the digestion process in the stomach and the small intestine before making its way into the lower gastrointestinal tract where water is absorbed from it. Thereafter, the undigested waste that was previously in liquid form is converted into a solid mass which is eventually expelled through the rectum as the stool.

However, if there is a slowing down of the movement of waste through the tract, more and more water gets absorbed from it in the colon, and it forms a hard, dry stool. It becomes increasingly difficult and painful for your rectal muscles to push this coarse mass out of the body giving rise to constipation. Restricted bowel movement is often accompanied by pain, gastric trouble and a feeling of bloating.

While there should be at least one bowel movement each day in normal situations, a healthy individual may pass two or three bowel movements a day.

Causes of Constipation

What pleases your taste buds might not necessarily agree with your digestive system as well. Your indulgent diet, more often than not, can prove quite taxing for your digestive tract to process, eventually resulting in constipation. (1) (2)

While it’s often very hard to put the finger on the exact cause for such digestive hindrances, there are nevertheless certain common factors that can be held accountable:

Symptoms of Constipation

The tell-tale giveaways that you are suffering through an episode of constipation include: (3)

Preventive Measures

Prevention tips to avert the occurrence of constipation and thereby do away with the subsequent need for treatment and medication include: (4)

Natural Remedies for Constipation

All in all, you can use natural remedies to get rid of constipation naturally, but in order to prevent it, you may need to review your diet and lifestyle.

Here are eight home remedies that can regularize your constipated bowel movements:

Method 1: Using Lemon Water

Warm water and lemon juice, which is slightly acidic, work to stimulate the digestive system and help move the contents of the intestines forward. Lemon also helps flush toxins as well as undigested material stuck to the lining of the colon out of the body. (5)

Things you’ll need:

Add fresh lemon juice to warm water

Drink this warm water before going to bed and again right after you wake up in the morning. Drinking warm lemon water twice daily in this manner will surely regulate your bowel movements.

Method 2: Using Honey Water

Honey has been used for ages as a mild and safe laxative. (6) (7) This viscous nectar helps soften the hard stool and stimulates mucus production that facilitates the much-needed expulsion of old and residual fecal matter.

Moreover, the fact that honey is generously supplied with a wide array of nutrients just reaffirms its efficacy as a strengthening aid for your digestive as well as overall health. Consuming a dollop of honey mixed in warm water acts as the perfect stimulant for your intestinal tract, and thereby helps you beat constipation.

Things you’ll need:

Pour honey into warm water

Using raw and organic honey of good quality will produce the best results.

Method 3: Using Flaxseeds

Besides containing vitamins, calcium, iron, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids, flaxseeds contain a huge amount of fiber. They can relieve bloating, as well as pain and constipation. (8) (9)

The oil present in flaxseeds helps to relieve constipation as well by coating the lining of the intestinal walls as well as the colon and thereby assisting in the movement of the fecal matter through the tract.

Whole flaxseeds don’t do much for constipation, as your body will simply pass them out whole. Only ground or crushed flaxseeds alleviate constipation. They should always be consumed with some form of fluid like orange juice or water to yield the best results as well as to prevent further digestive distress.

Things you’ll need:

Add ground flaxseeds to water and let it sit

Drink the flaxseed water and give it some time to work.

You may need to be patient, as it may take up to 5 hours to work. If convenient, you can drink it at night just before going to bed.

Alternatively, you can sprinkle 2 to 3 tablespoons of ground flaxseeds over your cereal. Wash it down with milk, juice or water.

Method 4: Using Blackstrap Molasses

Blackstrap molasses is the by-product that forms when pure cane sugar juice is boiled to make sugar. The third boiling in the sugar-making process results in the formation of blackstrap molasses. It contains magnesium and other minerals and vitamins that help relieve constipation. (10) (11)

Blackstrap molasses can have a bit of a strong taste, which can be toned down by consuming it with a drink. These pungent molasses can be diluted in water, green tea, cereal, porridge, baked goods or sweet dishes. Taking it with honey or prune juice can increase its effectiveness.

Things you’ll need:

Add molasses to warm water

Add 1 teaspoon of blackstrap molasses to a glass of lukewarm water and stir well.

Drink the molasses water three times a day to ease constipation and regularize bowel movements.

Method 5: Using Castor Oil

Despite being a sure-shot remedy for constipation, castor oil should always be administered with caution.

Castor oil has traditionally been used to introduce labor pains in pregnant women. Therefore, pregnant women should never consume castor oil to relieve constipation as it may lead to uterine contractions.

Method 6: Using Yogurt

Method 7: Using Figs

Rich in fiber, figs are a natural laxative and can be consumed to relieve chronic constipation. While figs can be consumed both fresh and dried, the latter variety is most widely available. (14)

A single dried fig contains more fiber than a small apple or orange.

Figs are abundant in both soluble and insoluble fibers. The insoluble fiber helps add bulk to the stool, making it easier to defecate. The soluble fiber binds the fatty acids and holds the food in the stomach for a longer time, allowing proper digestion. This reduces the chances of undigested material clogging the lower gastrointestinal tract.

Things you’ll need:

Soak figs in water overnight

Doing this regularly for a couple of days should gradually bring your bowel movements back on track.

Method 8: Using a Salt Water Flush

You can make a salt water flush with salt or salt water sole. If using salt, opt for Himalayan salt or sea salt. The refined table salt will not benefit your body as well as Himalayan salt. Saltwater sole is simply saturated salt water in which no more salt can be dissolved.

The best time to consume this salt water is in the morning on an empty stomach before you’ve eaten anything. This will prevent bloating and nausea, and give you plenty of time to use the bathroom.

Additional tips for constipation relief

Resources:

Summary of How to Get Rid of Constipation

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