1. Shop and go
Stool softeners such as Colace or mineral oil are easy to come by and work well to ease an occasional bout of constipation. Laxatives such as Correctol and Ex-Lax are quite a bit rougher on the body's systems. Doctors don't recommend using laxatives, though, unless you're in a really big hurry to clear up the problem. Supplements like Metamucil or Citrucel, which you can stir into your morning juice or a glass of water, can get expensive, but they're safe to use every day.
2. Bring out the Big guns
If all else fails, you might need an enema. People die from bowel obstruction and it's better to flush out your system in a doctor's office than to risk infection and severe damage from prolonged constipation. Sometimes constipation is a result of a more serious condition. If after continuous, prolonged bouts of constipation, you have no permanent relief, you may need to see a doctor. Constipation could signal diabetes, diverticulosis, irritable bowel syndrome or even cancer.
3. Take it Easy
Go easy on laxatives and enemas. Laxative abuse is a rampant issue for people who are chronic dieters and who haven't developed a healthy bowel movement routine. Bulimics and anorexics often use laxatives to keep any food from sticking to their ribs. The body gets to the point that it can't eliminate solid waste without the artificial help. Prolonged use can cause nerve damage and permanent colon distress.
4. Join a big Movement
Get yourself in place when you know your constipation is getting ready to break. Whether you're using a laxative or have increased your fiber, you'll need to adjust your lifestyle to accommodate your bathroom needs. Besides an increased need to be aware of your body's urge to purge, you should stay sensitive to others; increased fiber intake can give you gas that will pollute the air around you. Don't ignore an urge to go, whether or not you're constipated. Putting off a bowel movement can cause it to back up and get clogged, leaving you uncomfortable and with a case of constipation you have to deal with later.
5. Don't go it Alone
Water and fluids work wonders on constipated bowels. You need to take in enough of the fluid to loosen the foods you eat enough to make them flow freely. Water is good for every organ and system in the body, and its use in the war against constipation is impossible to overstate. Without enough fluids, any kind of fiber intake, no matter how natural it is, could make the constipation worse.
