What to do about constipation?
What can I do about constipation? I am eating a lot of fiber, drink lots of water, exercise, and eat Activia. I thought Colace was finally the answer, and it worked great for a short while, but now I am taking 4 per day with minimum results. I am 61 years old and take calcium supplements, thyroid medication, gabapentin, and lovastatin daily.There are many ways to treat constipation and your regimen of fiber, water, exercise, and Activias are a good start. For diet, 5 servings of fruits and vegetables are recommended, as well as 6 servings of whole grains. Are you drinking eight 8 ounce glasses of water daily? Coffee, soft drinks, and tea should be minimized. Caffeine can make you lose the fluid needed to help bulk up the fiber. Low fiber foods, such as chocolate, cheese, and other high-fat/no fiber choices can contribute to constipation. For exercise walking is recommended at least 20 minutes 3 times a week. Studies show that the best chance for a bowel movement comes 20-30 minutes after eating. If you sit on the toilet, even if you do not feel a bowel movement coming on, it can "retrain" the bowels to receive the signal and start moving. Calcium can cause constipation, so you may want to change the type that you use. Calcium phosphate and calcium citrate have been shown to be the least constipating. A low thyroid can cause constipation, but if you are on the correct dose, you should not have any problem. Neurontin (gabapentin) and Mevacor (lovastatin) can both cause constipation in 1-10% of people taking them. Are you taking any fiber products, such as Metamucil (psyllium) or Citrucel (methylcellulose)?They are safe for long term use. If your stool softener is not working well anymore, you can add a laxative for short term use. As with all medications, you should consult your doctor to find out what the best regimen is for you. For more information on What to do about constipation @ constipation clinic .
