Constipation

[DEVATSAR]

Hi everyone

Hi everyone

Need advice .......

For the past 3 weeks I have constipation, stays for 4-5 days, straining bad then go to toliet after taking all the remedies, friut/lacoste etc etc. It keeps coming back though

.

Makes me feel ill and cant really eat properly,

I have been taking sleeping tablets, could that be a cause?( Now stopped two days ago)

Any ideas what could really help

Kindest Regards

Paul

Many thanks

[MrRed]

A laxative should help you.

[DEVATSAR]

A laxative should help you.

Lactose i was told by the chemist is a laxative ?

[MrRed]

If its making you feel ill and affecting your diet then i would go see a doctor and get a strong laxative that will flush you out.

[ludditeman]

Drink more water.

The hot weather is drying you out (pooh wise).

Or start eating from street stalls

[kkerry]

Many medications can have constipation as a possible side effect so Google whatever you were taking to see what the manufacturer has to say.

Drink plenty of water and try having some Psyllium seed husks mixed in a glass of juice or milk daily, I've found this a lot gentler on my body than senna laxatives although if you have never used this before then it might seem pretty strong the first time so begin with only a small spoonful. Remember, you must make sure you drink plenty of water every day.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psyllium_seed_husks

Villa or Foodland sell them, 200 gram pack (not as expensive as buying from a health food store) but not the brand in the link which is the one I use.

Laxatives like Metamucil are based on psyllium husk but sell for a higher price.

Psyllium is also supposed to help with lowering cholesterol and having used it for years my total cholesterol from a blood test a couple of weeks ago was only 137 so could be...

[cameozo]

I'm not sure about your medication. I've had constipation problems on and off since as long as I can remember and I initially had a lot of problems once I arrived in Thailand. The best thing I've found that works consistently is exercise. I do 15 minutes of light aerobic exercise and within 1-2 hours I'm no longer constipated. Coffee, street sausage, laxatives and stress also seem to help out, but obviously aren't the healthiest options to use on a regular basis.

[meatboy]

any time i have the same problem i found what gets me running,plenty of pomelon the fruit that looks like a cross between a grapefruit/jaffa and ripe pappaya.

[Sheryl]

OP what is your age? I ask because you indicate the constipation is new. A change in bowel habits are one of the warning signs of cancer of the colon. Odds are you do not have this, but if you are over 50 and have not had a colonoscopy, you ought to just to be on the safe side. in fact 1 every 10 years is recommended from that age even in the absence of bowel symptoms.

Assuming there is not a serious underlying cause, the solution to constipation is:

Diet, diet, diet!!!!The modern diet is seriously lacking in fiber.

Change from white rice to brown rice, regular pasta to whole wheat pasta, eat only whole grain bread. One serving of bran cereal a day. fresh salads. Lots of other fresh vegetables and fruits (papaya is good). No processed foods -- they have no fiber and are also low in nutrients, full of sodium and often preservatives and just plain not good for you.

If you can't or don't want to make these changes then psyllium as other poster has mentioned will make up the lack of fiber in your diet. But it is not at all tasty and lacks all the other nutrients and health benefits that a shift to a high fiber fresh food diet would provide.

In the meantime, until such measures take effect, one simple and comparatively gentle measure that will help you get rid of the hard stool that has at this point built up in your lower bowel is glycerine suppositories, available at any drug store. Insert you-know-where and it will help facilitate passage out, reducing pain and the need to strain. If really necessary you can also buy at any drug store a small enema consisting of a bulb syringe with a small amount of fluid, made for self administration. Not something to do regularly but as a one time measure to help you get rid of what has accumulated, OK. I personally prefer either of this over systemic laxatives, there's no need to disturb the entire GI tract for a problem that resides just in its lower portion .

In addition to drug stores, I' ve seen both the suppositiories and the enema in the pharmacy section of Lotus stores. Near the laxatives.

[Sheryl]

P.S. worm infecstations can also sometimes cause constipation, especially roundwiorm 9ascaris). You can get deworming medication containing albendazole over the counter, it's a one time treatment. If worms were the cause, you may observe them in your stool after treatment for a day or two. Look like spaghetti.

[beano2274]

I once used one of those tablets you stick up your backside and it works wonders.

[londoedan]

OP what is your age? I ask because you indicate the constipation is new. A change in bowel habits are one of the warning signs of cancer of the colon. Odds are you do not have this, but if you are over 50 and have not had a colonoscopy, you ought to just to be on the safe side. in fact 1 every 10 years is recommended from that age even in the absence of bowel symptoms.

Assuming there is not a serious underlying cause, the solution to constipation is:

Diet, diet, diet!!!!The modern diet is seriously lacking in fiber.

Change from white rice to brown rice, regular pasta to whole wheat pasta, eat only whole grain bread. One serving of bran cereal a day. fresh salads. Lots of other fresh vegetables and fruits (papaya is good). No processed foods -- they have no fiber and are also low in nutrients, full of sodium and often preservatives and just plain not good for you.

If you can't or don't want to make these changes then psyllium as other poster has mentioned will make up the lack of fiber in your diet. But it is not at all tasty and lacks all the other nutrients and health benefits that a shift to a high fiber fresh food diet would provide.

In the meantime, until such measures take effect, one simple and comparatively gentle measure that will help you get rid of the hard stool that has at this point built up in your lower bowel is glycerine suppositories, available at any drug store. Insert you-know-where and it will help facilitate passage out, reducing pain and the need to strain. If really necessary you can also buy at any drug store a small enema consisting of a bulb syringe with a small amount of fluid, made for self administration. Not something to do regularly but as a one time measure to help you get rid of what has accumulated, OK. I personally prefer either of this over systemic laxatives, there's no need to disturb the entire GI tract for a problem that resides just in its lower portion .

In addition to drug stores, I' ve seen both the suppositiories and the enema in the pharmacy section of Lotus stores. Near the laxatives.

All of the above advice seems good to me.

The only things I would add are to stay well hydrated since water is aborbed in the lower bowel and dry stools will not help matters.

I would also recommend hot drinks such as tea plus plenty of walks.

I don't think you need to resort to eating street food, however eating a lot of spicy food has always done wonders for my digestion, I think that capisicum acts as a slightly acidic irritant and the body tends to move chilli-s through fairly fast. Plus local food such as Som Tam is packed with vegetable fibre.

[Tolley]

I would add that you could take yakult to add the good bacteria to your gut and est a fruit like papaya would also help and drink plenty of water,exercise regularly etc.

Additionally fresh vegetable juice like celeey and carrot are good for constipation as well.

And yes it is possible that the constipation was caused by the meds.

Many meds can cause constipation.

[Sheryl]

I forgot to mention stewed prunes, these are available in all the main supermarkets (Big C. lotus, tops etc). Sunkist and other brands. Located near the raisins and nuts etc. Very helpful, eat a few every night before going to bed.

[Orson]

Greatest and tastiest cure ever

AGAR FRUIT JELLO

-4 cups of your favorite juice(or milk but its harder to coook and you can mess it up easier)

-1 tbsp agar powder

-2 cups diced fruit

-add sugar or splenda to taste

Place the juice, apples and agar in a medium saucepan. Do not cover. Bring to a boil and watch closely to prevent boiling over. Reduce the heat, stir to blend and simmer for 3-5 minutes (or until the apples soften to desired texture). Pour into individual serving dishes and allow to set on the counter (or, to expedite, refrigerated).

i love this recipe, it is healthy, low cal, it sets quick and all the fiber in the agar and all the fruit will be easy on your stomach and will really help to "flush you out"