The digestive tract is responsible for breaking down and absorbing nutrients and expelling material that is not digestible in the form of fecal material. In some cases, fecal material accumulates in the colon and is difficult to expel, resulting in constipation. Increasing your fiber intake via the use of fiber pills is one way to help treat constipation, although these pills must be used properly.
Fiber and the Colon
To understand how fiber pills can relieve constipation, it is important to understand the role of fiber in relieving constipation. Constipation occurs when fecal material stays in the large intestine for too long, causing the large intestine to absorb too much water from the stool, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders explains. This makes the feces hard, which can prevent defecation. Dietary fiber cannot be broken down or absorbed by the digestive tract, which means all of it passes into the feces. Fiber can help relieve constipation by increasing the size of the stool, which helps it pass through the colon.
Fiber Pills
Fiber pills and other fiber supplements can be used to increase the amount of fiber in the diet. These supplements, which include Consyl, Citrucel and Metamucil, help people who are not getting enough fiber in their diet relieve intestinal problems without making major dietary changes. Fiber pills are often recommended for people who have intestinal disorders, such as chronic constipation or irritable bowel disorder, MayoClinic.com states.
Use
Fiber pills should be taken every day in order to be properly effective, particularly if you regularly have problems with bowel movements. Consume these pills with plenty of water. Otherwise, they can actually make constipation worse, as they will increase the bulk of your stool without making it softer.
Safety
According to MayoClinic.com, there is no evidence that using supplements such as fiber pills negatively affects the health of your digestive tract or colon. Adding fiber too rapidly to your digestive tract can cause gas, however. As a result, you should add fiber gradually to your diet. In fact, fiber supplements are recommended for treating constipation during pregnancy over other treatment approaches, such as chemical laxatives or mineral oil, as these methods of relieving constipation can stimulate uterine contractions or interfere with nutrient absorption, the American Pregnancy Association reports.
Considerations
Talk to your doctor if you are thinking about taking fiber pills. Fiber supplements can interfere with the absorption of some medications, such as carbemazepine, warfarin and aspirin, which may require you to adjust your dosage. In addition, adding fiber to your diet can lower your blood sugar levels, so if you have diabetes and take fiber pills, you may need to lower the dosage of your diabetes medications to prevent hypoglycemia.
