9 week old constipated

Constipation | Breastfeeding Challenges | Start for Life

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Constipation

Constipation makes it more difficult for your baby to have a poo. It's often caused by their diet and is easy to treat from home.

Symptoms of constipation

The symptoms of constipation in your baby can include:

pooing fewer than 3 times in a week
finding it difficult to poo, and poos that are larger than usual
dry, hard, lumpy or pellet-like poos
unusually smelly wind and poo
your baby may be less hungry than usual
their tummy might feel firm

Other signs of constipation can include your baby lacking energy and being a bit grizzly.

How often should my breastfed baby poo?

There's no 'normal' when it comes to how often babies poo – breastfed babies will sometimes go several days, or even a week without having a poo (this is more common in babies aged 6 weeks or older). You'll quickly get used to your baby's bowel movements, so you'll be able to tell what's normal for them.

Breastfeeding Friend from Start for Life

The Breastfeeding Friend, a digital tool from Start for Life, has lots of useful information and expert advice to share with you – and because it's a digital tool, you can access it 24 / 7.

What causes constipation?

Change in diet

It's quite common for your baby to become constipated when they start taking first infant formula (which is harder to digest than breast milk), or eating processed foods. That's just because their body is learning how to cope with digesting new things.

Dehydration

Constipation can be caused by a lack of fluids. There are various reasons why your baby may not be getting enough fluids – they may be teething and finding it uncomfortable, it could be down to illness (a cold, a throat or ear infection, etc), or if they are older, not drinking enough fluids with their food. Lack of fluids can make your baby's poo harder and more difficult to push out.

Lack of fibre

In older babies, it can also be caused by not getting enough fibre, (such as fruit, vegetables and cereals) in their diet. For advice on which foods to include in your baby's diet, have a look at our guide to What to feed your baby.

Treating constipation

Here are some tips on helping relieve constipation at home:

lie your baby down and gently move their legs like they're riding a bicycle – this can help get things moving. If your baby is happy lying down, give them a gentle tummy massage
if your baby is bottle-fed, try giving them extra water between some feeds
if your baby is on solids, make sure they're getting enough fibre. Apples, pears and prunes are particularly good for constipation. Find out more about foods with plenty of fibre.

It may take a few days to get things moving again, but if things do not improve, speak to your health visitor or doctor. Your doctor may prescribe a laxative, or want to double check that it's not being caused by any underlying medical conditions.

Symptoms, Treatment and When to Call a Doctor

Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Constipation (con-sta-PA-shun) in infants can worry parents. Most of the time, your baby is not really constipated. They may not have developed a routine for pooping yet. Some babies do not develop a bowel movement (BM) pattern for a while.

An infant’s BM pattern can change if their diet changes, like switching from breastmilk to formula, starting solid foods, or drinking less formula than usual. If your baby’s stool (poop) is not soft or easily passed, then they may be constipated.

In rare cases, constipation may be caused by a lack of nerves going to the intestines or by a problem with the way the intestine formed at birth. Your baby can be tested for these conditions if your health care provider feels it is needed.

Signs of Constipation

less stools than their usual pattern
straining more than normal to have a bowel movement
a change in how the stool looks from soft and mushy to:
- small, hard pebbles, or like a large, round golf ball
- loose and watery
abdomen (belly) bloated or swollen with gas
painful cramps

Treatment

If your baby is not eating baby food yet, you may give 1 to 2 ounces of 100% fruit juice (pear, prune, cherry, or apple) once a day. Stop the juice if their stools become too loose.
If they are old enough to eat baby foods, feed them pureed pears, peaches, or prunes instead of giving them juice.
If your baby eats cereal, it may help to give oatmeal, wheat, or barley cereal. Rice cereal can cause constipation in some children.
Sometimes giving your baby a warm bath to relax them or exercising their legs, like riding a bicycle, will help stimulate the bowels to move (Picture 1).
If it has been a few days since your baby has pooped and the juice or pureed food has not worked, then you can try a glycerin suppository. Place your baby on their back. Gently push the suppository into their anus (bottom). Suppositories are meant for occasional use.
Contact your baby’s health care provider before giving them laxatives, baby mineral oil, or enemas to treat constipation.

Medical Therapy

Your child’s health care provider may order the following treatments:

Give your child medication.
Check your child’s temperature using a digital, rectal thermometer. Put a small amount of petroleum jelly (Vaseline®) on its tip before inserting into the rectum. Taking a rectal temperature may stimulate the baby to pass stool.

When to Call the Health Care Provider

Call the health care provider if any of the following occurs:

Your baby is irritable and seems to be having stomach pain. Infants will pull their legs up to their stomach and cry when they are in pain.
Your baby has constipation and develops vomiting, and their belly looks like it is bloated or filled with gas.
You see blood in their stool.
Their constipation does not get better with treatment.

If you have any questions or concerns, call your baby’s health care provider.

Constipation: Infant (PDF), Spanish (PDF), Somali (PDF), Arabic (PDF), Nepali (PDF)

causes, symptoms and treatment

Causes of constipation in adults

In most cases, constipation is considered chronic if it lasts more than three months. There are primary (its appearance is mainly associated with a violation of the motor function of the intestine) and secondary constipation (may occur against the background of other diseases, structural changes in the intestine, taking certain medications, due to eating habits and behavior) ³.

Intestinal diseases

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Constipation is often observed in the clinical picture of such a disorder of the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract as irritable bowel syndrome. In addition, in the presence of anal fissures and hemorrhoids, there may also be a delay in defecation and aggravation of chronic constipation due to pain during defecation ² . It is worth noting that the combination of chronic constipation with hemorrhoids is especially common among the elderly ¹ .

Medicines

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When taking medications, you need to keep in mind that some of them can cause a slowdown in peristalsis and reduce the tone of the intestinal muscles. This is especially true for patients with comorbidities and for elderly patients who are forced to take several medications ^1.6 .

The most commonly used drugs that can increase the tendency to constipation are diuretics, drugs for the treatment of arterial hypertension and arrhythmias, antibiotics, tranquilizers, anticonvulsants, antidepressants. If the prescription of such drugs is necessary, preventive measures should be taken in advance ^1.6 .

Extraintestinal pathology

The development of constipation can be caused by a decrease in the level of thyroid hormones (hypothyroidism), in addition, stool retention can often occur with diabetes mellitus, menopause, after childbirth. Violation of the process of bowel movement may accompany some neurological pathologies: multiple sclerosis, diseases of the brain, brain stem and spinal cord ⁸ .

Deficiency in the diet of coarse fiber and lack of physical activity

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Water and electrolytes are reabsorbed in the large intestine. Dehydrated stools become hard and hard to pass. If there are enough indigestible plant fibers in the diet, they are able to retain in the feces the amount of water necessary for normal movement through the intestine ^1.4.5.

In addition, fiber is found in vegetables, fruits, whole grains and can increase stool volume, thereby activating intestinal motility. Moreover, intestinal bacteria, breaking down cellulose and hemicellulose in their composition, also produce substances that can affect intestinal motility ⁴ . Thus, the lack of herbal ingredients in the menu can make it difficult to move feces.

Intestinal peristalsis is also enhanced by physical activity (walking, exercising, sports training) ^4.5 . To prevent constipation, it is especially important to consider both factors.

Psychogenic factors

⁶

Defecation is a partially controlled process. The habit of delaying bowel movements (mainly in children) can cause the bowel to stretch and the urge to defecate subsides over time ⁷ . Constipation can be promoted by depression, nervous tension, fears, change of habitual environment ^5.6 . Psychological discomfort is able to knock down the usual mode of defecation, the process of bowel movement is difficult.

Complications

One of the complications of constipation is fecal hardening ( coprostasis ) ⁹ . Fecal plugs can injure the walls of the anal canal, block the passage of stool and cause intestinal obstruction ^9.10 . It happens that stool seeps around the plug, causing "paradoxical diarrhea" ⁹ .

What to do with prolonged constipation

To determine the cause of constipation and choose the right treatment, you need to consult a doctor. During a medical survey, you need to report how often defecation occurs, what is the nature of the feces, whether you have to strain or mechanically press on the perineum, whether there is a feeling of incomplete emptying. It is necessary to tell about the existing chronic diseases and medications taken, including information about self-use of laxatives ^1.3 .

In addition to describing the symptoms of constipation, it is important to mention signs that are characteristic of other diseases. This will allow you to correctly establish the diagnosis and prescribe timely adequate treatment. These signs are called "red flags". For example, these include ³ :

Fever

Weight loss

Onset or worsening of symptoms after age 50

Colon cancer or any other oncology in immediate family

Lack of appetite

If lifestyle changes do not work, your doctor may prescribe medication with laxatives.

One of the laxatives is Guttalax ^® drops ¹³ . This form of release allows you to accurately select the individual dosage of the product. The active substance Guttalax ^® - sodium picosulfate - helps to stimulate intestinal motility and helps soften the stool, while the laxative effect can occur 6-12 hours after taking the drug ¹³ .

More about the drug

CONTRAINDICATIONS. IT IS NECESSARY TO CONSULT WITH A SPECIALIST.

How to get rid of constipation at home, remedies for adults

What is constipation

Constipation is considered to be retention of stool for more than two days. This condition is also characterized by incomplete emptying of the intestines, accompanied by discomfort, changes in the consistency of feces and the need for excessive straining during bowel movements. nine0007

People who neglect the rules of healthy eating and lead a sedentary lifestyle most often suffer from constipation. Constipation is classified according to two criteria: etiology (cause) and pathogenesis (development mechanism).

According to the etiology, constipation is divided into:

Primary. Occur as a result of congenital or acquired pathologies of the colon.
Secondary. They are the result of another disease, injury, as well as side effects of pharmacological drugs. nine0135
Idiopathic. Behind this definition lies the inability to find out the exact cause of the disruption of the intestines. Constipation with an unknown etiology is also called cryptogenic.

Classification by pathogenesis:

Alimentary. It develops with a violation of the diet and a decrease in water consumption.
Mechanical. Caused by neoplasms in the large intestine. They can be both tumors and polyps or clots of lymph nodes, as well as adhesions or kinks. nine0135
Dyskinetic. It occurs due to impaired intestinal motility, which became the result of nervous tension. This type of constipation is also called neurogenic.

Symptoms of constipation

Strictly speaking, constipation itself is a symptom or a side effect. At least, modern medicine does not consider it as an independent disease, although constipation is formally included in the list of diseases according to ICD-10. If we talk about concomitant manifestations (not to be confused with the criteria), then they include:

feeling of heaviness and discomfort in the lower abdomen and rectum;
decreased appetite;
prostration, irritability, depression;
bloating, flatulence;
sensation of incomplete emptying of the bowels.

When to see a doctor?

Episodic constipation should not cause undue concern. Often the reason lies in malnutrition, stress or a change of scenery (moving, business trips, etc.), and the elimination of provoking factors solves the problem. However, if constipation continues regularly, this may indicate a health problem, so in such a situation, a visit to a gastroenterologist should not be postponed. nine0007

Particular attention should be paid to this problem for pregnant women, since excessive straining is contraindicated for them. In addition, constipation is fraught with the development of intoxication of the body, which is also completely useless for a pregnant woman.

People who are prone to gastrointestinal diseases should also consider increasing constipation as a signal from the body that the course of the disease is aggravating. Therefore, one should not expect that the problem will be solved by itself - in such situations, the help of a doctor is necessary. nine0007

Where constipation comes from

Stool retention occurs periodically in all people, regardless of age, gender and political views. Constipation can occur for a variety of reasons. Let's consider them in more detail.

Stress

Any situations associated with nervous tension can cause stool retention, since the nervous system regulates all vital processes in the body, including intestinal motility. Stress can have an unpredictable effect on digestive function, since the human gut contains an extensive network of neurons that communicate with the central nervous system. nine0007

That is why situations of emotional discomfort, whether it be a minor domestic conflict or chronic work-related stress, can lead to constipation. We should also mention the change of scenery: very often problems of this kind arise when moving to a new place of residence or in field conditions.

Pregnancy

Constipation in pregnant women occurs quite often for several reasons:

In the first half of pregnancy, a change in the hormonal background occurs, as a result of which the synthesis of progesterone increases. This hormone reduces the tone of the uterus and helps to avoid premature birth. However, it also weakens the tone of smooth muscles, thereby worsening intestinal motility. nine0135
Around the end of the second trimester, the ever-increasing uterus puts pressure on the rectum, which also impedes peristalsis and leads to regular retention of stools.
Influence of drugs. Many women during pregnancy are prescribed antispasmodics, as well as iron and calcium supplements. One of the side effects of these medicines is hardening of the feces and weakening of intestinal motility.

Here you can add a decrease in motor activity, stress and severe toxicosis. nine0007

Sedentary lifestyle

Despite the fact that the skeletal muscles are of the striated type, and the intestinal muscles are of the smooth type, there is a close relationship between their activity. In other words, the less a person moves, the greater the risk of developing constipation. Sedentary work and low physical activity are almost guaranteed to lead to stool retention.

Lack of fluid

In people who consume insufficient amounts of water, the production of digestive juices decreases. In addition, the feces become too dry and hard, which makes it difficult for them to move through the intestines. nine0007

Unbalanced diet

Constipation can be provoked not only by a lack of fruits and vegetables in the diet, but also by the consumption of muffins, large amounts of meat, rice, smoked and fatty foods. In addition, the lack of the habit of eating at the same time, evenly distributing the amount of food for each meal, also contributes to impaired intestinal motility.

A sedentary lifestyle and an unbalanced diet can lead to stool problems. Photo: peoplecreations / freepik.com

Treatment of constipation

When choosing methods of treating constipation, the doctor first of all focuses on eliminating the causes that caused this condition. Treatment should be complex, but regardless of its main course, all patients should increase physical activity, adjust the diet and consume at least one and a half to two liters of water per day. Treatment methods can be grouped into groups, which we will discuss below.

Physiotherapy

In the treatment of constipation, physiotherapy methods are used as adjunctive therapy. It should be noted that the expediency of using some of them is the subject of controversy and discussion in science. Far from all modern medical recommendations can find such information. nine0007

Abdominal massage. It is assumed that this method helps to improve intestinal motility and relieve spasm. Predominantly sparing pressing and stroking movements are used, which are performed strictly clockwise.
Electrical impulse therapy. Due to the use of electrical impulses, the contractile function of the smooth muscles of the intestine improves, which is especially important for atonic constipation.
Inductothermy. It is usually used for spastic neurogenic constipation, as well as for inflammatory processes in the intestines that provoke stool retention. The essence of the method is the application of a high-frequency electromagnetic field. nine0135
Novocaine electrophoresis. Gauze tissue moistened with novocaine solution is placed on the patient's lumbar region. Due to the impact of direct or pulsed electric current, the drug enters through the skin to the lumbar nerve plexuses. The procedure is relatively painless - the patient feels only a slight tingling sensation.

Special mention should be made of such methods as acupressure (shiatsu), acupuncture (acupuncture), aromatherapy and other branches of Far Eastern folk medicine. At the end of the last century, these techniques were widely advertised by various medical charlatans as a universal remedy for almost any disease. Currently, their popularity is gradually fading away, and so far there has been no evidence of the effectiveness of such techniques. nine0007

It is important to understand that from the point of view of modern medicine, stimulation and piercing of various points on the body, supposedly responsible for improving bowel function, have no proven clinical effectiveness. At best, the patient can expect a placebo effect.

Phytotherapy

As an alternative to pharmacological preparations, herbal remedies with a laxative effect can be used. However, it is not recommended to choose them on your own, because if used incorrectly or unjustified, they will do more harm than good. nine0007

Some herbs have antispasmodic, others irritate the nerve endings of the intestines. The use of such effects should be related to the cause of constipation, and only the attending physician can understand it. Among the most common herbal remedies for constipation are licorice root, senna, buckthorn and oregano - decoctions are prepared from them. In addition, pharmacies sell ready-made laxatives. It should also be remembered that any laxatives with prolonged use (2 weeks or more) are addictive. nine0007 Herbal remedies for constipation should be used with caution. Photo: CUNDO / Depositphotos

Medications

If we disassemble laxatives aimed directly at eliminating constipation, they can be divided into several groups.

Prebiotics

This group of drugs does not give a quick laxative effect, since it is aimed at normalizing the composition of the intestinal microflora - this requires a certain time. In essence, prebiotics are a breeding ground for lacto- and bifidobacteria, without which the intestines cannot function normally. The main active ingredients of prebiotics are inulin and lactulose. They are poorly digested, and therefore reach the intestines almost unchanged, contributing to the growth of beneficial microflora. nine0007

Osmotic laxatives

These drugs provide quick relief from constipation, but are recommended for acute stool retention. Osmotic laxatives may also be given to the patient to cleanse the bowel prior to diagnostic procedures. The drugs of this group contribute to the accumulation of fluid in the intestine, which creates the osmotic pressure necessary for normal defecation. Osmotic laxatives are made on the basis of macrogol, lactitol and magnesium sulfate. nine0007

Prokinetics

Preparations of this group improve peristalsis by improving the excitability of intestinal receptors. As a result, propulsive activity and motility of the gastrointestinal tract improves. It is not recommended to take such drugs on your own, as they can disrupt the heart rhythm. The active components of the prokinetics are itopride hydrochloride, domperidone and metoclopramide.

Lubricants

The laxative effect of this group of drugs is achieved due to the lubricating effect: the feces soften and their passage through the intestines improves. Lubricants are available both for oral administration (linseed and mineral oil) and for rectal administration in the form of suppositories (with glycerin or sodium docusate). nine0007

Stimulant laxatives

Preparations based on bisacodyl and sodium picosulfate improve peristalsis through irritant action. They are considered second-line drugs because they cause rapid addiction, contributing to the development of the so-called lazy bowel syndrome. In addition, the irritant effect is associated with side effects such as cramping abdominal pain or diarrhea.

Antispasmodics

Used only for spastic constipation. Most often, preparations based on drotaverine and bendazole are used, which relieve spasm of the smooth muscles of the intestine and contribute to its relaxation. In other forms of constipation, these drugs can cause the opposite effect. nine0007 Nutritionist. Photo: IgorVetushko / Depositphotos

Correction of nutrition and lifestyle

It is necessary to learn how to eat not only correctly, but also in a timely manner. The intervals between meals should be approximately equal. The same applies to the distribution of its volume throughout the day. What does it look like in practice?

Since the middle of the last century, many people in Russia have been accustomed to have breakfast in a hurry, and during the lunch break with a dry sandwich to interrupt their appetite. At the same time, during dinner, “compensate” for malnutrition during the day with an abundance of food, consuming the first, second and dessert at one time. Unfortunately, this is not the healthiest eating style. nine0007

Another suggestion is to prohibit eating after a certain time of day. However, the secret to maintaining a healthy weight lies not at all in evening fasting, but in the correct distribution of the balance of nutrients throughout the day, as well as in physical activity.

Overeating at night is really bad, especially when it comes to food rich in complex carbohydrates. However, there is no need to torture yourself with hunger: lean meat in combination with whole grain bread and vegetables or cottage cheese with kefir not only stimulate normal digestion, but also help maintain normal weight. nine0007

To ensure normal intestinal motility, you should eat at least three times a day, and preferably at the same time. If possible, it is better to eat fractionally, in small portions, about 4-5 times a day. To do this, you can either take a lunch box with you to work or study, or have lunch in the dining room.

It is important to ensure at least minimal physical activity. The work of a large number of modern people is associated with a long stay in a sitting position. This negatively affects intestinal motility. But you can find some time for physical activity. For example, you can replace taking the elevator with walking up the stairs, and public transport with walking. Perhaps this will slightly increase the travel time, but the result is worth it - in addition to intestinal motility, walking improves sleep and overall well-being. nine0007

It is very useful to perform physical exercises, working out the legs, shoulder girdle and abdominal muscles. This is best done in the gym, but there are plenty of exercises that are easy to do at home. It is more effective to spend an extra hour exercising or walking than to spend the same time every day agonizing in the toilet.

You should also develop the habit of emptying the bowels at the same time of day and not create the need to regularly suppress the urge to defecate that appears at the wrong time. nine0007

Regular suppression of the urge to empty the bowels reduces the reflexes of the rectum, ensuring a normal bowel movement.

We should also mention the bad habit of eating dry food, which affects not only students, but also office workers who are embarrassed to take lunch boxes with them or go to the canteen. You can also add more liquid foods, such as soups, to your diet.

Folk remedies

Most of the folk methods aimed at the treatment of constipation, one way or another associated with the intake of any products or decoctions. Below we have outlined a range of foods that can help relieve the symptoms of constipation and support its prevention. nine0007

What to eat for constipation

Source: freepik.com/natali-ploskaya

When constipation occurs, there is no need to rush to buy a laxative. The first thing to do is to rethink your diet. Is there enough fiber in the diet? Fiber is the part of plant foods that the body cannot break down. When eating fiber-rich foods, the extra mass of dietary fiber helps keep stools soft and speeds up digestion.

All plant foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beans, contain fiber. Dietician recommends consuming 25 grams of fiber per day for women and up to 38 grams for men. After 50 years, its amount can be reduced to 21 grams for women and 30 grams for men. The percentage of fiber content is indicated in table No. 1.

nine0304 Grapefruit

Table No. 1. The percentage of fiber in various products.
Wheat bran	43.5	Oatmeal	6.0
Flax seeds	27.2	Carrot	3.2
Sprouted wheat	17.0	Broccoli	3.0
Almond	15.0	Cabbage	2.9
Green peas	12.0	Apples	2.0
Prunes	9.5	White potatoes	1.8
Hazelnut	9. 0	White rice	0.8
Beans	7.0	0.5

If during the day you can not get the required amount of fiber from fruits and vegetables, you can compensate for its lack by eating granulated bran: 40-50 grams per day will be enough. At the same time, it is important to drink them with a sufficient amount of water, because otherwise they will enter the intestines in the form of dry food boluses. The author of The Charming Gut, Julia Enders, recommends drinking at least 2.5 liters of water a day, but you need to focus primarily on your own thirst. For some people, one and a half liters of purified water per day is enough (which, by the way, is also not so little), while others are able to drink all three. At the same time, of course, it must be remembered that the diet is only part of the treatment program prescribed by the doctor. What foods should be consumed? nine0007

Prunes

We all heard from childhood that prunes help with constipation. The laxative effect is due to the fact that prunes have a moderate choleretic effect, and also suppresses the activity of opportunistic intestinal microflora, thereby normalizing the intestinal biocenosis. It is used both in the form of dried fruits and for the preparation of decoctions.

Plums and plum juice

As in the case of prunes, the laxative effect of plums and plum juice is due to their choleretic and antibacterial properties. When they enter the intestines, they retain moisture and increase osmotic pressure, which stimulates peristalsis. nine0007

Kefir

Kefir improves the balance of intestinal microflora due to the high content of lacto- and bifidobacteria. However, it should be borne in mind that with a tendency to constipation, you should drink only fresh kefir - it is he who has a laxative effect. Two-or three-day kefir gives the opposite effect.

Olive oil

The mechanism of action of olive oil in constipation is simple: it envelops the intestinal wall and softens the stool, thereby improving peristalsis. As we already know, such products are lubricants. Usually one spoon on an empty stomach is enough to eliminate stool retention. nine0007

Baked apples

Apples contain digestion-friendly ingredients such as pectin, sorbitol, lactulose and cellulose. For constipation, it is advisable to eat apples both raw and baked, but remember that more is not better. Eating more than 3 apples a day can cause bloating, which can backfire and aggravate constipation. Baked apples cause less gas formation, so this option is considered more gentle. nine0007

Red beetroot

Beetroot contains a large amount of hemicellulose, which is poorly digested, but is completely eliminated from the body. Due to the slight irritating effect of undigested fibers, intestinal motility improves. In addition, polysaccharides in dietary fiber act as a prebiotic, being a nutrient medium for beneficial intestinal microflora.

Lemon juice and warm water

Some sources recommend drinking lemon juice diluted in warm water for constipation. However, no one has yet provided a convincing justification for its effectiveness in stool retention: supporters of the use of this recipe operate with general phrases from the series "effectively stimulates digestion" or "quickly eliminates congestion in the intestines." nine0007

Lemon juice does have a number of health benefits, but academic and nutritional literature does not mention the benefits of lemon for constipation. In addition, it should be remembered that in a number of inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, lemon is contraindicated. Of course, you can try to agree on the appropriateness of using this prescription with your doctor, but the gastroenterologist will almost certainly not approve of this idea.

Flax seeds

Since flax seeds contain a large amount of dietary fiber, and they themselves, with sufficient water intake, increase in volume and stimulate intestinal motility, their use for constipation is quite common. It is important to know the nature of stool retention, since such a prescription is contraindicated with mechanical constipation. nine0007

Figs

Figs contain a large amount of dietary fiber that stimulates peristalsis. Pectin softens feces, due to which a mild laxative effect is achieved.

Water

Constipation really often occurs due to insufficient water intake - with its lack in the body, the feces become excessively hard and dense, and this significantly complicates their movement through the intestines. Taking one and a half to three liters of water per day (it is advisable to agree on the exact amount with your doctor) improves intestinal motility and the production of gastric juice. nine0007

Save yourself a leaflet with products that help with constipation.

Source: MedPortal