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There are a number of things that you can do to relieve constipation. Among them you can start eating a diet more conducive to healthy bowel movements, take various OTC (Over The Counter) products that will provide relief more quickly, or see your doctor and have him or her prescribe a stool softener or other prescription strength laxative to do the job.
Add More Fiber to your Diet
Generally speaking your diet should include a healthy percentage of fiber. Fiber is important in combating constipation by helping move food along the colon and being expelled. It does this by retaining water and bulking up the food in the colon allowing for an easier elimination.
Some foods that are high in fiber and most helpful in alleviating or preventing constipation are Almonds, Dates, Prunes (either whole or juiced), and true whole wheat bread. Even coffee has been shown to have some laxative effect in helping promote a bowel movement.
Use Over the Counter Fiber Supplements
Aside from improving one\'s diet and eating food that has a higher fiber content one can also purchase OTC supplements that add fiber to one\'s diet. Among these are Metamucil (generic name psyllium), Fibercon (polycarbophil), and Citrucel (methyl-cellulose). Although you can add fiber to your diet by taking these products or one\'s like them it is usually best to add fiber naturally by including more foods that have fiber in them to your diet.
Products that add fiber to your diet will not cause your bowel to grow dependent on them anymore than eating high fiber foods will cause an unnatural dependence. Fiber is just something that your body needs to promote good bowel movements.
Have your Doctor Prescribe a Stool Softener or Medicine
You can also get your doctor to prescribe a stool softener. Stool softeners act to increase the fat and water that passes into your stool and should not be used long term as your bowel may cease to act naturally to pass your stools on its own.
The goal is not to become dependent on a drug to alleviate constipation but to help get rid of constipation short term while you work to improve the root causes of why you are experiencing constipation to begin with.
| Visit my Foods for Constipation web site to learn more about foods you can eat to help you avoid constipation and more tips on how to stay regular. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steven_Dix | |
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