What Does Treatment for Constipation Involve?
The appropriate treatment depends on the cause, severity, and duration of the constipation. Usually, changes in diet and lifestyle are sufficient to bring about positive results. Dietary Modification: Eating enough fiber (20 to 35 grams/day) helps promote normal stool formation. A “bulk-forming diet” should emphasize high-fiber foods such as beans, whole grains and bran cereals, fresh fruits, and vegetables such as asparagus, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and carrots. Limiting foods that have little or no fiber, such as ice cream, cheese, meat, and processed foods, can also be helpful. Drinking enough fluids is important as well. Lifestyle Modification: Engaging in daily exercise, reserving enough time for and heeding the urge to have a bowel movement are helpful. Laxatives: Laxatives come in different varieties: Bulk-forming: The most commonly used type, these contain fiber such as psyllium seeds or husks (Metamucil or Citrucel). Stimulants: These include laxatives such as Dulcolax and S
