Constipation

[fizz1985]

Hi Guys

I know this may sound disgusting but i didn't know where else to get information, i am seriously bad with constipation and im in Thailand at the moment does anyone know what would be good to take to get the bowls moving quick as when i do go the pain is unbearable. Any suggestions would be great. I have started taking senekot but not really doing anything i drink lots of water also.

Thanks

[Sheryl]

Since it is already severeand you are very uncomfortable, for immediate relief I suggest you use a suppository. Start with glycerin suppositories which are cheap and readily available at Boots, Watsons etc - usually in a small white bottle. . If that does not work, you can get small enemas (look like a bulb syringe with the bulb part full of liquid) which are not hard to self-administer, these can be found near the suppositories at the same places.

In a situation like yours, this is preferrable to trying to get things to move down from above which is what the various laxatives will do.

Depending ion how many days it has been, may need a combo of both to get full relief.

Once you've solved the immediate problem, prevention lies in diet. White rice has almost no residue and is often the reason people become constipated on a Thai diet. Eat more fiber -- in the case of Thai foods, the various salads (som tam is especially good), fruit, vegetables. Or take a bulk laxative like pysillium or a good bran cereal (Kellogg's All Bran is the best one, pure fiber and also full of nutrients. Pretty bland stuff but some fruit on top makes it taste a lot better. Oatmeal will also help). And of course plenty of liquids.

[Totster]

Prune Juice, that'll get it moving !

totster

[alfredthegreat]

Plenty of high fibre, fruit etc. and I also was prescribed a powder mixture namely Mucilin by Nonthavej hospital. The Mucilin works for me.

[transam]

Yum Yum, Dom Yum Gong noodles with all the sachet of spice works wonders for me, every time.

[Pseudolus]

handful of prunes before bed after a couple of days eating sticky rice does the trick. It really is all of nothing if you catch my drift most of the time when I slump into eating a local diet.

[Fookhaht]

Eat more fiber -- in the case of Thai foods, the various salads (som tam is especially good)...

First time I've seen Som Tam recommended for health reasons! Chuckle.

Normally, the poster's advice is highly reliable; and Sheryl, for years, has expertly steered us TV-ers in helpful directions concerning our health. However, II would like to add a caveat to that advice which may have inadvertently been overlooked:

I would recommend the "Som Tam Thai" and steer away from the "Som Tam Lao" which contains "para" (fermented fish), which, in turn, is often a cause of liver fluke infection--the primary cause of bile duct cancer in Thailand, particularly in the Northeast (home of "som tam."). The fermentation process can help kill the parasites, but the processing standards are not uniform enough to ensure reduction of risk. Trading a long-term liver fluke parasitical infection for a shorter-term prevention of constipation would not be wise in my non-expert opinion.*

*However, follow some links to the experts:

http://endtheneglect...new-york-times/

http://www.mendeley....othai-thailand/

And, an interesting discussion among travelers on Lonely Planet:

http://www.lonelypla...hreadID=2050004

Edited January 28, 2012 by Fookhaht

[Sheryl]

I would recommend the "Som Tam Thai" and steer away from the "Som Tam Lao" which contains "para" (fermented fish), which, in turn, is often a cause of liver fluke infection--the primary cause of bile duct cancer in Thailand, particularly in the Northeast (home of "som tam."). The fermentation process can help kill the parasites, but the processing standards are not uniform enough to ensure reduction of risk. Trading a long-term liver fluke parasitical infection for a shorter-term prevention of constipation would not be wise in my non-expert opinion.*

Absolutely agree that should avoid som tam lao but I think the biggest culprit is not pala but the raw crab....

Personally I eat only som tam jai (no crab, fish paste or dried shrimp) which is delicious and very healthy. Or same thing plus the dried shrimp, for thsoe who like them (ugh!), is fine.

[Fookhaht]

Do we have at least three kinds of Som Tam now? Som Tam Lao, Som Tam Thai, and Som Tam Jai?

The last one is new to me, and the ingredients (or lack of ingredients) sound quite similar to the "Thai" variation.

[rockyysdt]

I would recommend the "Som Tam Thai" and steer away from the "Som Tam Lao" which contains "para" (fermented fish), which, in turn, is often a cause of liver fluke infection--the primary cause of bile duct cancer in Thailand, particularly in the Northeast (home of "som tam."). The fermentation process can help kill the parasites, but the processing standards are not uniform enough to ensure reduction of risk. Trading a long-term liver fluke parasitical infection for a shorter-term prevention of constipation would not be wise in my non-expert opinion.

Is this the problem a result of short fermentation periods?

Should the fish be fermented for a minimum period?

[Old Man River]

Plenty of high fibre, fruit etc. and I also was prescribed a powder mixture namely Mucilin by Nonthavej hospital. The Mucilin works for me.

I had the problem a few years ago. I consulted a doctor at Bamrungrad hospital and was told Mucilin (as you suggest) is the way to go and if I was completely blocked up to use Senogot. I didn't need the Senogot as Mucilin did the trick.

[Sheryl]

I would recommend the "Som Tam Thai" and steer away from the "Som Tam Lao" which contains "para" (fermented fish), which, in turn, is often a cause of liver fluke infection--the primary cause of bile duct cancer in Thailand, particularly in the Northeast (home of "som tam."). The fermentation process can help kill the parasites, but the processing standards are not uniform enough to ensure reduction of risk. Trading a long-term liver fluke parasitical infection for a shorter-term prevention of constipation would not be wise in my non-expert opinion.*

Absolutely agree that should avoid som tam lao but I think the biggest culprit is not pala but the raw crab....

Personally I eat only som tam jai (no crab, fish paste or dried shrimp) which is delicious and very healthy. Or same thing plus the dried shrimp, for thsoe who like them (ugh!), is fine.

"jai" just means vegetarian, all Thai dishes (well, all that aren't only meat to start with) have a "jai" version. In the case of soam tam it simply means not putting in the crab, fish paste and shrimp, and they usually balance that by adding more peanuts and bean.

it's delicious and totally healthy.

[JimmyTheMook]

There is a product called Swiff bottled in liquid form , it really works.

[ThaiPauly]

I have been suffering with this as well recently owing to some medication I am taking.

I brought a packet of Sunsweet Prunes yesterday and ate the whole bag.

They (very painfully) did the trick, so I will continue their use whilst on this awful medication

[Ijustwannateach]

My doc also says prunes for constipation.

[transam]

Forgot, it is now Tamerene season and they are a Thai remedy for a clear out. Go for it.

[cdnvic]

One off-topic post remove. Serious replies only please.

[Gers1873]

Plenty of fruit - pineapple or papaya works for me. Prunes is my wifes fibre of choice. After eating the fruit a nice cup of coffee seems to get the bugger moving.