Treatment for constipation

It is important to remember that the necessity to defecate at least once a day is a myth. Constipation happens when you want to go but are unable to evacuate the feces. In the majority of cases, constipation resolves itself without any treatment or risk to health.

The treatment of recurring constipation can include lifestyle changes. Doing more exercise, eating more fiber, and drinking more water. Some studies contradict the high fiber advice; a study published in the American Journal of Gastroenterologyfound that the role of dietary fiber to treat chronic constipation is exaggerated. A low fiber diet has been proven not to be the cause of constipation and the success of fiber intake as treatment is modest.

Usually, laxatives will successfully treat most cases of constipation – but should be used with care and only when really necessary. In more difficult cases the person may need a prescription medication. Some people have responded well to biofeedback.

It is important to try to find out what has caused the constipation is in the first place – there could be an underlying illness or condition. Some people with recurring constipation use a daily diary where they record their bowel movements, stool characteristics, and other factors which may help both the doctor and patient devise the best treatment.

Some gastroenterologists comment that there are people who do not allocate enough time for their defecation. Set aside enough time to allow your toilet visit to be unstressed and uninterrupted, and do not ignore an urge to have a bowel movement.

Over-the-Counter laxatives

Only use these laxatives as a last resort. They can be habit forming, as was mentioned above:

• Stimulants – they make the muscles in your intestines contract rhythmically. These include Correctol, Dulcolax and Senokot.
• Lubricants – they help the stool move down the colon more easily. These include mineral oil and Fleet.
• Stool softeners – they rehydrate (moisten) the stool. These include Colace and Surfak.

• Fiber supplements – these are perhaps the safest laxatives. They are also called bulk laxatives. These include FiberCon, Metamucil, Konsyl, Serutan and Citrucel. Make sure you have plenty of water when you take them.

• Osmotics – they facilitate the movement of fluids through the colon. These include Cephulac, Sorbitol, and Miralax.
• Saline laxatives – they draw water into the colon. These include milk of magnesia.

• Choride channel activators – these require a prescription. These include lubiprostone (Amitiza).

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• 5-HT-4 agonists – they increase the secretion of fluid in the intestines, and also speed up the rate at which food passes through the colon. These include Prucalopride.

• Relistor was approved by the FDA in April, 2008 for the treatment of opioid-induced constipation. Opioids are commonly prescribed on a continuous basis for patients with late-stage, advanced illness to help alleviate pain.

If your doctor identifies an underlying disorder that may be causing your constipation he/she will treat that disorder.

If you have pelvic floor dysfunction, you may be treated with biofeedback. It is a retraining technique that helps you learn how to coordinate the muscles appropriately so that you have a successful bowel movement.

If the constipation does not respond to any treatment, as a last resort it might be recommendable to remove part of the colon. When this happens the troublesome segment(s) of the anal sphincter or rectum are removed.

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