About all

Apricots constipation: Good Foods to Relieve Constipation

Remedies for Painful, Hard Stool

Allaturi, A. et al. Randomised clinical trial: dried plums (prunes) vs. psyllium for constipation. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2011 Apr;33(7):822-8
<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21323688>

Calories in Popcorn, Air-popped. Caloriecount. Jul 26, 2015
<http://www.caloriecount.com/calories-popcorn-air-popped-i19034>

Holma, R. et al. Constipation Is Relieved More by Rye Bread Than Wheat Bread or Laxatives without Increased Adverse Gastrointestinal Effects.
Journal of Nutrition. 20 January 2010. 109.118570v1.

<http://jn.nutrition.org/content/early/2010/01/20/jn.109.118570>

NHS. “Constipation – Symptoms.” Updated: Dec 24, 2015.
<http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Constipation/Pages/Symptoms.aspx>



“Patient education: Constipation in Adults (The Basics). UpToDate. Updated: Dec, 07, 2017.
<https://www.uptodate.com/contents/constipation-in-adults-the-basics?source=search_result&search=constipation&selectedTitle=1~150>

Patient education: High-fiber diet (The Basics). UpToDate. Dec, 07, 2017.
<http://www.uptodate.com/contents/high-fiber-diet-the-basics?source=see_link>

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Eating, Diet, and Nutrition for Constipation. Nov 13, 2014.
<http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-topics/digestive-diseases/constipation/Pages/eating-diet-nutrition.aspx>

UCSF Medical Center. Increasing Fiber Intake. Aug 2015
<http://www.ucsfhealth.org/education/increasing_fiber_intake/>

United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service. Basic Report: 12220, Seeds, flaxseed. Ju 26, 2015
<http://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods/show/3745?fgcd=&manu=&lfacet=&format=&count=&max=35&offset=&sort=&qlookup=flaxseed>

USDA. Basic Report: 09003, Apples, raw, with skin. Updated: May 2016.
<https://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods/show/2122>.

USDA. Basic Report: 09291, Plums, dried (prunes), uncooked. Updated: May, 2016.
<https://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods/show/2364>

Are dried apricots good for constipation!

Is dried apricot good for constipation? Dried apricots, which are a source of healing with rich nutritional value; facilitates digestion, provides a feeling of satiety, helps with weight control and is good for constipation. So if you have  this constipation problem you can consume dried apricots against constipation. This is one benefit (Pros) of dried apricot that can be list in a list of pros and cons of eating dried apricots.

Can too much dried fruit cause constipation? Fruit, especially dried fruit like apricot, is loaded with fiber and is one of the foods that help relieve constipation. With water, fiber in dry apricots helps give stool the right consistency to pass easily.

Dried apricots for constipation during pregnancy: Apricots contain so much fibre and that is why eating them during pregnancy can help overcome constipation. Dry or not apricots also help in improving digestion during pregnancy.

Dried apricots for constipation of baby: Are apricots good for baby constipation? Apricots can provide relief from constipation if it is consumed by a baby. The dietary fibre inside the fruit helps in bowel movement. Giving six  or  seven portions of this fruit to a baby can provide him relief from constipation. But don’t give dry apricots to  3 or 4 months old babies who are not used to eat hard things. As with other fruits dry or fresh, it is better to introduce them anywhere from 6 months old and older.

Is apricot juice or nectar good for constipation? Generally, the fiber content that is inside fruits is lost when fruit is juiced, but that’s not the case with apricot juice. When apricot is juiced it still keeps most of the fiber, and can help relieve constipation.

Treatment of Constipation:

If you think you are constipated, talk to your doctor to rule out a more serious problem. If tests show no disease or blockage, and if your doctor approves, try these changes:

  • Add fiber to your diet by eating more fresh fruits and vegetables, either cooked or raw, and more whole-grain cereals and breads. Dried fruits, such as apricots, prunes, and figs, are high in fiber.

  • If your diet does not include natural fiber, you may need to add a small amount of bran to baked goods, cereal, and fruit. This may cause some bloating and gas in the beginning. Make diet changes slowly to allow your system to adapt. Look for fiber products such as psyllium seed in the grocery store.

  • Be sure to get enough fluids. Without fluids, constipation can get worse. Drinking enough water and juice can help you have regular bowel movements. Talk with your doctor about how much water you should drink.

  • Stay active. This is important for overall health, too. Do things that keep you moving and active. For example, go for walks. Find physical things that you enjoy doing, and make them a part of your everyday life.

What Dried Fruits Are Good for Constipation?

A bowl of dried apricots.

Image Credit: Voyagerix/iStock/Getty Images

Eating both fresh and dried fruits can help promote regular bowel movements. However, since dried fruits typically contain more fiber than fresh fruits do, you might consider eating more dried fruit if you are suffering from constipation. Talk to your doctor about your digestive concerns and discuss what types and amounts of dried fruit to consume. Also ask what other dietary alterations you can make to relieve and prevent constipation.

Dried Fruits and Fiber

Many types of dried fruit contain large amounts of fiber and are therefore good for constipation. But according to the AGS Foundation for Health in Aging, dried apricots, prunes and figs are particularly helpful for encouraging bowel movements. While 1 cup of fresh apricot halves contains 3.1 g of fiber, the same amount of dried, sulfured and uncooked apricots contains 9.5 g of fiber. Fiber helps your digestive system move waste through your body more smoothly, and it adds bulk to your stools, all of which can help relieve constipation.

Other Fruits Good for Constipation

If you have difficulty chewing, dried fruit may be hard for you to eat. In this case, try eating dried fruits like prunes and raisins that have been soaked and cooked, which makes them softer. If you choose fresh fruits, do not peel them, since the majority of the fiber is often in the fruit’s skin. Berries, peaches, plums and rhubarb are particularly helpful for relieving constipation, and you can often find them in dried form.

Diet for Constipation Prevention

Once you have relieved your constipation, do not stop eating dried fruit. Rather, continue to consume it daily to keep your fiber intake high and prevent constipation in the future. According to MayoClinic.com, most adults should aim to get between 20 and 35 g of fiber each day, and the high-fiber content of dried fruits like apricots can put you well on your way to achieving this goal. Also be sure to drink a sufficient amount of water, which will help your body use the fiber in dried fruits and other foods. Your doctor can help you determine how much fiber and water are necessary for you.

Additional Considerations

Constipation is fairly common and not typically a cause for concern. More often than not, it can be relieved with home remedies like eating dried fruit and prevented by continuing to consume a high-fiber diet. However, if you experience bloating or stomach pain along with your constipation or do not get relief after three days of trying at-home methods, see your doctor. Also avoid introducing too much fiber into your system too quickly, since this can cause adverse effects like gas and bloating.

Why Do Apricots Make You Poop?

Have you ever wondered why apricots, be it fresh or dried, make you want to go to the bathroom each time after eating them? I have wondered the same thing so I researched this matter and here is what I’ve found.

Why do apricots make you poop? Fresh or dried apricots are rich in dietary fibers that cannot be digested by your stomach and needed to be flushed out of your body, hence the need to go to the bathroom after eating them.

However, fresh apricots can only be qualified as a good source of fiber if sliced and consumed by the cup.

What is fiber and why does it make you want to poop?

In addition to being an excellent source of vitamin A, a good source of vitamin C, copper, and potassium, apricots are rich in dietary fibers.

Dietary fiber, also known as roughage or bulk, is a type of carbohydrate that can be found in all edible plant foods including common vegetables, fruits, grains, nuts, and seeds.

Unlike other types of carbohydrates such as starch, fibers cannot be readily digested by your stomach and will be flushed out as feces.

Fibers come in two types, soluble and insoluble.

Both soluble and insoluble fiber makes you feel full, which may help you eat less and stay satisfied longer.

Below are some of the key differences between soluble and insoluble fibers.

  1. Soluble fibers are fibers that can be dissolved in water which helps your body in the absorption of nutrients and helps control blood sugar and cholesterol level. They also allow more water to be retained in your feces making them softer and larger so they can have an easier time passing through your intestines.
  2. Insoluble fibers are those that cannot be dissolved in water and mainly helps in your digestive system and bowel regularity. They add bulk to your feces and speed up foods’ and wastes’ movement in your gut which can help prevent constipation.

Fibers will pass through your stomach while adding bulk by absorbing fluid as they pass the intestine and be excreted as feces (poop).

So the more water you drink, the softer and bulkier your feces gets as they will absorb much more water.

And the more fibers you eat, the more frequent you will visit your bathroom (and poop).

How much fiber is in apricots?

Apricots contain a sufficiently great amount of both kinds of fiber, soluble and insoluble fiber. But they are especially high in the soluble type.

The book “Healing Foods” by DK Publishing House stated that apricots have a high content of fiber that helps in bowel regularity which can help prevent constipation and even bowel cancer.

An average-sized fresh apricot that weighs about 35 grams contains roughly about 0.69 grams of dietary fibers.

This amount of fibers will not provide a substantial amount for your daily dietary fibers needs.

You need to slice and eat apricots by cup for easier measurement of fiber.

A one-cup serving of sliced apricots (about 4 and ½ apricots) will provide roughly around 3.3g, which provides about 13 percent daily value (%DV) for fiber.

Fresh apricots have a higher amount of fibers as compared to other commonly eaten stone fruits such as peaches and plums.

Dried apricots, having deprived of water, have a more concentrated amount of dietary fiber.

Just a half-cup serving of dried apricot halves provides around 4.8 grams of fiber, which is around 19 percent daily value (%DV) for fiber!

Tips: You need to get 100% of the daily value for dietary fibers to have a healthy gut and prevent constipation.

Craving for dried apricots? This juicy and delicious dried jumbo-size Turkish Apricot is the most popular on Amazon

How many apricots you should eat to prevent constipation?

Eating a high-fiber diet with plenty of waters can help to hold water in the stools, keeping them soft and prevent constipation.

The goal here is to get your recommended daily intake of fibers from apricots.

So your first step in knowing how much apricots you should have is to know how much fiber you should take in a day.

Based on a 2,000 calorie diet, the Daily Value for fiber would be 25 grams per day.

Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

According to the Institute of Medicine, men aged fifty (50) or younger are recommended to eat 38 grams of fibers daily, while men aged fifty-one (51) or older are recommended to eat 30 grams of fibers daily.

The daily recommendation of fibers for women aged fifty (50) or younger is 25 grams, while women aged fifty-one (51) or older is 21 grams.

Your goal is to eat enough fibers each day or most days that will satisfy your daily value.

Now let’s take a look at the number or amount of apricots you should eat.

As mentioned before, a one-cup serving of sliced fresh apricots provides about 3.3 grams of fibers, which is about 13 percent daily value (13% DV) for fibers.

So for the aim of 25-35 g of daily fibers intake, you need to consume around 8 to 11 cups of sliced fresh apricots each day.

Remember to also drink plenty of fluid for a softer stool. Drink around 6 – 9 cups of fluid each day.

A word of warning though, if you are not used to eating fibers, you need to gradually increase your fibers intake as doing so too quickly may leads to flatulence (gas) or bloating.

Other than apricots, you can also benefit from other high-fiber diets to prevent constipation.

The following are some examples of foods that are high in fiber:

  • Whole fruits and vegetables with their skin
  • Dried fruits such as dried dates and prunes
  • Prune juice or vegetable juices
  • Whole wheat crackers
  • Popcorn
  • Nuts
  • Whole wheat or multigrain bread
  • Brown rice

Tips: Gradually change your usual food for a high-fiber diet over the next two (2) to three (3) weeks with increasing fluid intake to reduce any discomfort of sudden fiber diet change. Exercising regularly such as brief walking or stretching may also help your bowel muscles and reduce the risk of constipation. 

How many dried apricots should you eat for constipation? An average adult with the recommended intake of 25-35 g of fibers each day will need to eat around 2-4 cups serving of dried apricot halves. However, the increase in fiber intake needs to be gradual to avoid gas, bloating, and stomach upset.

Can you eat too many fresh apricots? Eating too many apricots a day, that is around 21 cups of sliced fresh apricots or approximately 94 and a half apricots, will result in too much fibers (more than 70 g). This may lead to side effects such as nutrient deficiency, constipation, or diarrhea.

Are apricots good for weight loss?  Apricots are an excellent fruit to be included in your diet if you consider losing weight. They are low in calorie and provide a good source of fiber for a healthy digestive tract, helps control your blood sugar and cholesterol level, and makes you feel full for much longer.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no additional cost to you, if you make a purchase through the links. Read the disclaimer for more information.

 

 

Pediatric and Young Adult Medicine

Definition

Constipation is often due to a diet that does not include enough fiber.   Drinking or eating too many milk products can cause constipation.  It’s also caused by repeatedly waiting too long to go to the bathroom.

If constipation begins during toilet training, the parent may be applying too much pressure.  Changes in the diet usually relieve constipation.  Sometimes trauma to the anal canal during constipation causes an anal fissure.  This is confirmed by finding small amounts of blood on the toilet tissue or on the stool surface.  Symptoms include:

  • Painful passage of stools:  The most reliable sign of constipation is discomfort with the passage of a bowel movement (BM).
  • Inability to pass stools:  These children feel a desperate urge to have a BM, have discomfort in the anal area, but are unable to pass a BM after straining and pushing for more than 10 minutes.
  • Infrequent movements:  Going 3 or more days without a BM can be considered constipation, even though this may cause no pain in some children and even be normal for a few.  (Exception:  After the second month or so of life, many breast-fed babies pass normal, large, soft BMs at infrequent intervals without pain.)

Common Misconceptions.  Large or hard BMs unaccompanied by any of the conditions just described are usually normal variations in BMs.  Some normal people have hard BMs daily without any pain.  Children who eat large quantities of food pass extremely large BMs.  Babies less than 6 months of age commonly grunt, push, strain, draw up the legs and become flushed during BMs.  However, they don’t cry.
Home Treatment 

Diet Treatment for Infants. 

  • If your baby is under 2 months of age, try 1 teaspoon of dark Karo syrup or 1 tablespoon of pear or prune juice twice a day.
  • If over 2 months old, give 1 ounce of fruit juices twice each day (pear, prune).
  • If over 4 months old, add strained foods with a high fiber content, such as cereals, apricots, prunes, peaches, plums, beans, peas or spinach twice each day.

Diet Treatment for Older Children 

  • Make sure that your child eats fruits or vegetables at least three times each day.  Some examples are prunes, figs, dates, raisins, peaches, pears, apricots, beans, celery, peas, cauliflower, broccoli, and cabbage.  Legumes like baked beans or black beans are also quite high in fiber.
  • Increase bran, because it is an excellent natural stool softener because it has a high fiber content.  Make sure that your child’s daily diet includes a source of bran, such as unmilled bran, bran flakes, shredded wheat, graham crackers, oatmeal, whole wheat bread or popcorn.  Other sources of fiber include benefiber and fibercon.
  • Decrease consumption of constipating foods, such as milk, ice cream, yogurt, cheese, bananas, applesauce, and cooked carrots.  High fat foods such as fast-food is also very constipating.
  • Increase the amount of fruit juices your child drinks.  Orange juice is not as helpful as the others, like pear and prune.

Sitting on the Toilet.  Encourage your child to establish a regular bowel pattern by sitting on the toilet for 10 minutes after meals, especially breakfast.  Some children and adults repeatedly get constipated if they don’t do this.  If your child is resisting toilet training by withholding stool, stop the toilet training for awhile and put them back in diapers or pull-ups.

Gentle Laxative.  If a change in diet doesn’t relieve the constipation, give your child a gentle laxative, like 1 tablespoon of Miralax, with dinner every night for a week.  Miralax is not habit forming.  It typicalls produces results within 8 to 12 hours after it’s taken.

Measures for Acute Rectal Pain.  If your child has acute rectal pain needing immediate relief, one of the following will usually provide quick relief:  sitting in a warm bath to relax the anal sphincter, a glycerine suppository, gentle rectal stimulation for 10 seconds with a thermometer, or gentle rectal dilation with a lubricated finger.

Call our Office IMMEDIATELY if . . . 

  • Your child develops severe rectal or abdominal pain.

Call our office during regular hours if . . . 

  • Your child does not have a BM after 3 days on the new diet.
  • You have other questions or concerns.

Top 3 juices to relieve constipation, why they work, and recipes

We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process.

All fruit and vegetable juices contain water and nutrients, and some also contain fiber. Since hydration can relieve or improve many cases of constipation, certain juices are an excellent option.

Many fruits and vegetables can help people poop. Different foods work in different ways. Some provide fiber, while others contain certain compounds that can stimulate bowel movements.

Read on to learn how juices help relieve constipation, which juices to try, and how to make them at home.

Share on PinterestJuices can contain fiber and sorbitol, which help regulate bowel movements.

Constipation occurs when a person has fewer than three bowel movements per week. Stool that remains in the digestive tract will harden over time, making it difficult and sometimes painful to pass.

In most cases of occasional constipation, making diet and lifestyle changes is very effective for relieving symptoms.

Taking over-the-counter (OTC) laxatives can help as a short-term solution, but they can cause unintended side effects, such as dehydration. People also run the risk of developing a physical dependence on laxatives.

Drinking certain juices may relieve constipation in some people. Some juices made from fruits and vegetables contain dietary fiber and sorbitol, both of which help regulate bowel movements.

Juices also contain large quantities of water, which may help soften hard stool while keeping the body hydrated.

The following sections explore the reasons why juices can help relieve constipation.

They provide fiber

Even though they are a liquid, some fresh juices often still contain dietary fiber, though not as much as if a person eats the fruit or vegetable raw.

The body does not digest fiber. Instead, fiber passes through the digestive system and helps keep the gut healthy. Diets high in dietary fiber promote healthy, regular bowel function.

The United States Department of Agriculture recommend that women eat at least 28 grams (g) of dietary fiber per day, and men 34 g per day. People who have constipation may need to eat more dietary fiber than people who do not.

However, increasing fiber intake without drinking enough fluids may worsen constipation, so try a gradual increase of fiber along with plenty of water.

Learn more about daily fiber recommendations here.

Fruits and vegetables contain two types of dietary fiber, both of which encourage regular bowel movements and reduce constipation:

  • Soluble fiber absorbs water and gives stools a softer, more flexible consistency, which makes them easier to pass. Sources of soluble fiber include oatmeal, beans, fruits, vegetables, psyllium, seeds, and nuts.
  • Insoluble fiber does not absorb water. This type of fiber helps move waste materials through the bowels. Insoluble fiber also flushes bad bacteria from the gut. Sources of insoluble fiber include bran, whole wheat, rye, nuts, seeds, and fruit and vegetable skins.

People can increase the amount of fiber in a homemade juice by keeping the skin on apples when juicing, adding the pulp back into the juice, or adding high-fiber fruits, such as berries.

They contain sorbitol

Certain fruits contain sorbitol, a sugar alcohol that pulls water into the large intestine. Extra water in the gut helps loosen hard stools so that they can move through the digestive tract more easily.

Fruits that contain sorbitol include:

  • apples
  • pears
  • grapes
  • fruits with pits, such as plums, peaches, and apricots
  • dried fruit, including prunes and dates

Prunes are one of the richest fruit sources of sorbitol, so they may be one of the best options to help relieve constipation.

They contain water

Dehydration is a leading cause of constipation. The digestive system needs plenty of water to keep food waste moving through it. Otherwise, the stool can become hard, lumpy, and difficult to pass.

Drinking plenty of water and healthful juices can help relieve constipation in many cases.

The following fruit juices contain fiber, sorbitol, and water, and they can help relieve constipation.

Prunes, or dried plums, are well-known for their laxative effects on the body.

A 2014 review study reported that eating 100 g of prunes per day improved how often people produced stool, as well as the consistency of the stool, compared with psyllium, which is a common OTC soluble fiber-containing laxative.

It is worth noting that the California Dried Plum Board funded this research.

Prunes are high in dietary fiber, but much of it is lost in the juice-making processes. Instead, prune juice acts as a laxative because it contains sorbitol, magnesium, and potassium, all of which improve bowel function.

Read about the health benefits of prune juice here.

Because prunes are dried and sealed, people can buy them online.

How to make prune juice

Ingredients:

  • 300 g prunes
  • 2 liters of water

Instructions:

  1. Fill a pot with 2 liters of water. Add 300 g of prunes to the pot. Heat the pot over medium or high heat. Once boiling, reduce to low heat, cover with a lid, and simmer for about 2 minutes.
  2. Pour prunes and water into a blender and blend until smooth.
  3. If desired, pour the blended mixture through a sieve to remove the larger pieces.
  4. Pour prune juice into bottles and store in the refrigerator.

Find the full recipe here.

Make it an easy green smoothie

To add extra fiber to prune juice, and to boost the nutrient content, try adding spinach and cucumber to make a laxative smoothie.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups raw spinach
  • 1 cup prune juice
  • 1 cup chopped cucumber

Instructions:

  1. Add all ingredients to a blender and combine until smooth.
  2. Add water to thin the smoothie if it is too thick.

Find the full recipe here.

Lemons are high in vitamin C, an antioxidant compound that pulls water into the gut. Increasing water content inside the gut can help soften stools and stimulate bowel movements.

Mild dehydration can cause constipation. Increasing water intake may help relieve constipation. Drinking a mixture of lemon and water may help relieve constipation in some people.

People can add lemon juice to their diets and keep their bodies hydrated with lemon water. Use fresh, locally sourced lemons where possible.

Read about the health benefits of lemons and lemon water here.

How to make lemon water

To make lemon water, simply mix the juice of half a lemon into a glass of warm water. Try drinking this mixture at night and first thing in the morning.

Do not forget to drink water throughout the day.

Consuming apples may help relieve constipation because they are high in both dietary fiber and sorbitol.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, one medium apple contains 4.4 g of fiber and 18.91 g of sugar. Apples also contain vitamin C, calcium, and vitamin A, among other nutrients.

Apples also contain pectin, which is a water-soluble fiber that may promote bowel movements.

Apple juice contains relatively high quantities of fructose compared with other fruits. Drinking large amounts of apple juice can cause digestive discomfort in people who have sensitive bowels.

Juicing apples also significantly reduces their fiber content, which may make apple juice less effective than other juices for constipation relief.

Use fresh, locally sourced, organic apples where possible.

Read about the health benefits of apples here.

How to make apple juice

People can juice apples whole and drink it, or they can add apple juice to other juices or smoothies. When making apple juice at home, consider leaving the skin on for extra fiber content. That said, only small amounts will remain after the juicing process.

When making juices at home or buying them in a supermarket, add or look out for the following ingredients to provide even more beneficial nutrients, add fiber, and boost constipation relief:

  • berries
  • spinach
  • broccoli
  • carrots
  • celery
  • flaxseed
  • psyllium seed
  • ginger root
  • apple cider vinegar
  • coconut oil

People can either make juices at home or purchase them in stores.

To avoid experiencing adverse side effects, people should start by drinking small quantities of juice. Try a quarter or a half serving during the first few days.

People who can tolerate small amounts of juice can slowly increase their juice intake until they reach 1–2 servings per day. Guidelines often suggest that this is 4 ounces (oz) (half a cup) up to 8 oz (1 cup).

Increase dietary fiber slowly over a few days or weeks, as sudden increases can cause digestive discomfort and diarrhea and even worsen constipation.

When purchasing premade juices, try to get 100 percent fruit juices. Some fruit juices and fruit drinks contain fruit concentrate and lots of added sugar. These types of juices will not offer the same constipation relief as 100 percent fruit juice.

In addition to drinking fruit juices, people can find relief from constipation by making simple dietary and lifestyle changes.

Dietary and lifestyle changes that may help relieve constipation include:

  • increasing fiber intake from solid foods
  • eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables
  • staying hydrated
  • limiting processed food intake
  • limiting daily salt intake
  • increasing potassium intake
  • exercising regularly

Drinking fruit juice can help relieve constipation. Some juices can contain low, moderate, or high amounts of dietary fiber, sorbitol, or other nutrients that support digestive health.

People can make dietary and lifestyle changes for even more constipation relief. Diets high in fiber and low in processed foods also help reduce constipation.

People should contact their healthcare provider if their constipation continues after making the dietary and lifestyle changes listed above.

Eating When You Have Constipation

During treatment, your eating habits may change and you may be less physically active. You also may feel weak, in pain, and uncomfortable. All of these factors can cause constipation (less frequent bowel movements with stools that are difficult to pass). Not drinking enough liquids and not eating enough also can be part of the cause of constipation. In addition, constipation can be a side effect of some chemotherapy medications. Learn more about the causes of constipation and medicines that can help.

Talk to your doctors about any bowel movements that are hard or very loose, or if you have cramps, stomach pain, gas, or no bowel movements for 3 days.

What to eat if you’re constipated:


  • Avoid foods that may lead to constipation. Some common ones are bananas, cheese, and eggs. Different foods affect people differently.


  • Drink more fluids to prevent dehydration — about 8 to 12 glasses each day (unless your doctor has advised something else). Consider water, prune juice, and warm fluids in the morning such as herbal tea or hot lemonade.


  • Eat more high-fiber foods, such as whole-grain breads and cereals, beans, fresh raw vegetables, fresh raw fruits or cooked fruits with the peel on, dried fruits, dates, apricots, prunes, popcorn, seeds, and nuts. Fiber isn’t digested by the body, so it moves through and is excreted. Fiber also absorbs a lot of water in the bowels, which makes stools softer and easier to pass. Make sure you drink more fluids if you eat more fiber, or your constipation might become worse.


  • Make sure your breakfast includes high-fiber foods and a hot drink. Warm beverages are calming and may help stimulate bowel movement.


  • Drink caffeine in moderation. It has been shown to help constipation. Make sure that you drink plenty of non-caffeinated beverages, too, so you don’t become dehydrated.


Was this article helpful?
Yes /
No

Was this article helpful?


Last modified on May 8, 2013 at 9:53 AM

90,000 How to get rid of constipation? Causes and treatment of constipation, nutrition for constipation

whole list

Constipation – dysfunction of the intestine, expressed in an increase in the intervals between acts of defecation in comparison with the individual physiological norm or in systematically insufficient emptying of the intestine (A. L. Grebenev, L. P. Myagkova, 1994).

The frequency of stool in healthy people is very individual and depends on the nature of the diet, lifestyle, habits.
Constipation is a chronic delay in bowel movement of more than 48 hours.

The treatment program for constipation is, of course, individual, but it can be formulated general directions :

  1. Etiological treatment, i.e. treatment or elimination of causes.
  2. Physical activity mode.
  3. Health food.
  4. Laxatives.
  5. Normalization of intestinal motor function.
  6. Treatment with mineral waters.
  7. Physiotherapy.
  8. Physiotherapy, special gymnastics, massage.

Etiological treatment

The causes of constipation are manifold. When starting the treatment of constipation, it is necessary to find out the reasons that contributed to their development, since often the elimination of the cause leads to the normalization of the stool.

Nutritional constipation – develops with improper, irrational, that is, monotonous nutrition, mechanically and chemically sparing food with limited plant fiber.

Products that delay bowel emptying are: semolina and rice porridge, mucous soups, jelly, mashed food; strong tea, coffee, chocolate, blueberries.

Normalization of the diet, the inclusion in the diet of foods that stimulate bowel movement, lead to the elimination of alimentary constipation (nutrition for constipation is described below).

Neurogenic constipation – occurs most often and occurs in connection with disturbances in the mechanisms of regulation of intestinal motility at all levels of the nervous system.The urge to defecate is under the control of the cerebral cortex; the centers of the lumbar and sacral spinal cord are involved in the act of defecation.

Neurogenic constipation is classified as:
  • dyskinetic;
  • reflex;
  • due to suppression of the urge to defecate (habitual constipation).

Dyskinetic constipation is caused by primary intestinal dyskinesia (hypokinetic or spastic), reflex constipation develops in various diseases of the digestive system, genitourinary system and other organs (secondary intestinal dyskinesia).

Weakening of the urge to defecate can occur as a result of primary psychogenic effects (habitual constipation caused by suppression of the urge to defecate, for example, in the absence of the opportunity to recover at work), as a result of a violation of the usual rhythm of defecation, morning rush, etc. especially vulnerable to injury in children.

When constipation is detected of a neurogenic or psychogenic nature , rational psychotherapy is necessary, restoration of the habit of emptying the intestines daily (going to the toilet at the same hours, Tryusso-Bergman gymnastics – see.below), taking cold water with honey or lemon on an empty stomach (this helps to develop a gastrointestinal reflex). In addition, a patient with neurogenic or psychogenic constipation is advised to choose the optimal posture for bowel movement (preferably squatting), in the early days to facilitate the act of defecation, you can use suppositories with glycerin or a small oil enema (50-100 ml of vegetable oil), further need disappears in them. In the absence of effect from the above measures. The rest of the sections of the treatment program are carried out.

Hypodynamic constipation – due to low physical activity of a person, hypodynamia, weakness of the somatic muscles. Hypodynamic constipation can occur in patients with prolonged bed rest, as well as in the elderly. Age due to a sharp decrease in physical activity.

An active lifestyle, walking, physical education help to eliminate hypodynamic constipation.

Constipation due to inflammatory bowel diseases – observed in patients with chronic colitis, less often with chronic enteritis.Treating these conditions promotes stool recovery.

Proctogenic constipation – observed in patients with diseases of the anorectal region (hemorrhoids, anal fissures, proctalgia, etc.) Elimination of this pathology leads to the disappearance of constipation.

Mechanical constipation – develops in patients with intestinal tumors, cicatricial narrowing of the colon, mechanical compression of the rectum from the outside, etc.

Elimination of these factors contributes to the normalization of the stool.

Constipation due to anomalies in the development of the colon – observed in persons with congenital megacolon, idiopathic megacolon and many others. dr.

Toxic constipation – observed with chronic occupational poisoning (lead, mercury, thallium), with nicotine poisoning in smokers.

Medical constipation – caused by taking certain medications. These include many. hypnotics, diuretics, sorbents (activated carbon), iron preparations, etc.

Accordingly, discontinuation of these agents helps to relieve constipation.

Endocrine constipation – observed primarily in hypothyroidism (hypotonic type of constipation), hypoparathyroidism (hypertensive, spastic type of constipation), pituitary insufficiency, less often – in diabetes mellitus, adrenal insufficiency, pheochromocytoma, glucagonoma and other, menopause.

Constipation due to violations water-electrolyte exchange – develops with heart failure, kidney failure, dehydration of any genesis.

Physical activity

If the general condition allows, it is necessary to lead an active lifestyle: exercise, sports, outdoor games, running, long walking, swimming, etc. These activities contribute to better bowel movement, strengthen the muscles, including the abdominal muscles.

Medical nutrition

In case of constipation, therapeutic nutrition is recommended within the framework of diet No. 3.

Energy value and composition: proteins – 100 g, fats – 100 g, carbohydrates 400-450 g, table salt 8-10 g, free liquid – 1.5 l, diet weight – 2.5-3 kg (depending on the patient’s weight), energy value: 2900-3000 kcal.

List of Recommended Meals:

Bread and bakery products: wheat bread made from wholemeal flour or with the addition of wheat bran, yesterday’s; in the absence of contraindications and good tolerance, black bread is more appropriate; dry cookies, uncomfortable better with the addition of bran; crackers (preferably rye).

Soups: on weak fat-free meat, fish broths, vegetable broth; borscht, beetroot soup from prefabricated vegetables, with pearl barley, buckwheat, cauliflower.

Meat dishes: lean meats (beef, veal, chicken, rabbit, turkey), boiled, baked, mostly in pieces.

Fish dishes: low-fat fish (pike perch, bream, cod, carp, pike, hake) in boiled, jellied form; with good tolerance – a little soaked herring.

Dishes and side dishes of vegetables: various vegetables, raw and cooked, as side dishes, salads. Beets, carrots, tomatoes, deciduous lettuce, squash, pumpkin, cauliflower, white cabbage and green peas are especially recommended boiled if tolerated.Vegetables rich in essential oils are excluded: turnip, radish, onion, garlic, radish; mushrooms.

Dishes and side dishes from cereals, pasta are allowed in limited quantities, crumbly cereals from buckwheat, barley, millet groats are used.

Egg dishes: 1-2 eggs per day (soft-boiled, omelette or cooked) Hard-boiled eggs contribute to constipation!

Sweet dishes, fruits, berries: fresh, ripe, sweet fruits and berries in their raw form and in dishes in increased quantities, as well as in the form of juices.

Dried fruits and berries in soaked form Prunes, dried apricots, apricots, figs are especially recommended in various dishes.

Apple and grape juices are not recommended , plum juice is useful. Plums contain organic acids that promote bowel movement, so any form of prune is highly recommended.

It is recommended to consume daily infusion of 24 prunes, 12 fruits and ½ cup, infusion 2 times a day.

Permitted marmalade, marshmallow, marshmallow, toffee, milk and cream caramels, preserves, jams, jam, sweet fruits, berries, sugar, honey.

Dairy products: recommended one-day kefir (fresh), acidophilic, yogurt, fermented baked milk, fresh non-acidic cottage cheese (in natural form, in the form of baked puddings, cheesecakes, lazy dumplings). Milk with good tolerance in dishes and tea. Non-acidic sour cream as a seasoning for dishes in small quantities. The cheese is not spicy.

Sauces and spices: parsley, dill, cilantro, celery, bay leaves, cinnamon, cloves. Fruit sauces, white sauce with a little sour cream.

Snacks: mild cheese, black caviar, ham without lard, veal, chicken, jellied fish, soaked herring, vegetable and fruit salads. Seaweed is very useful and effective.

Drinks: weak tea, rosehip broth, not strong substitute coffee, sweet fruit juices (plum, apricot), vegetable juices (tomato, carrot, etc.).

Fats: butter, olive oil (add to ready meals, serve in natural form). Sunflower and other vegetable oils are permitted if tolerated. Refractory animal fats are excluded: pork, beef, lamb fat, combined fats.

In the absence of contraindications, it is advisable to recommend a “diet with herbs”, including 100 g of salad from raw vegetables 3 times a day before meals.

When compiling a daily diet, it is necessary to provide for the content in the diet of at least 25-30 g of dietary fiber per day.Dietary fiber stimulates intestinal motility, contributes to its emptying.

We give the content of dietary fiber in grams per 100 g of product in various food products (A.A. Pokrovsky, 1992).

  • Oranges – 1.4
  • Carrot – 1.2
  • Cherry – 0.5
  • Wheat bran – 8.2
  • Canned peas – 1.1
  • Peaches (pulp and rind) – 0.9
  • Dried mushrooms – 19.8
  • Parsley – 1.5
  • Pears – 0.6
  • Raw rhubarb – 1.0
  • White cabbage – 1.0
  • Turnip – 1.4
  • Sauerkraut – 1.0
  • Plums – 0.5
  • Cauliflower – 0.9
  • Fresh tomatoes – 0.8
  • Potatoes – 1.0
  • Protein bran bread – 2.1
  • Strawberry – 4.0
  • Grain bread – 1. 3
  • Buckwheat groats – 1.1
  • Rye Bread – 1.1
  • Gooseberry – 2.0
  • Prunes – 1.6
  • Dried apricots – 3.2
  • Apples – 0.6
  • Green onion – 0.9
  • Dried apples – 5.0
  • Raspberry – 5.0

Physiological effects of dietary fiber: increase in satiety, suppression of appetite, decrease in hypercholesterolemia, choleretic effect; an increase in the mass of feces, liquefaction of intestinal contents, acceleration of intestinal passage.

It is advisable to include in the diet of a patient suffering from constipation, bran that promote bowel movement.

M. H. Levitan (1981), E. A. Beyul (1983) recommends using them as follows:

“Pour boiling water over wheat bran (so that they swell and become softer), then drain the supernatant liquid. Swollen bran (can be added to compotes, jelly, soups) in the first 2 weeks appoint 1 teaspoon 3 times a day, then increase the dose to 1-2 tablespoons 3 times a day; after achieving a laxative effect, the dose is reduced to 1 / 5-2 teaspoons 3 times a day.Treatment lasts at least 6 weeks. ”

Laxatives

Laxatives should generally be avoided for chronic constipation. They are not indicated for alimentary, neurogenic endocrine constipation. But with very persistent constipation, especially with reduced intestinal motor function and with proctogenic constipation, mainly in the elderly, laxatives have to be used.

The most harmless laxatives:

Lactulose (normase, duphalac) – the drug does not undergo hydrolysis in the intestine, creates favorable conditions for the development of lactic acid bacteria.It is produced in the form of a syrup, 100 ml of which contains 67 g of lactulose. Prescribed 1-3 tablespoons per day, when the effect is achieved, the dose is reduced to 1-2 teaspoons per day.

Suppositories with glycerin – 1 candle contains 1. 44 g of glycerin, 0.12 g of stearic acid, 0.66 g of sodium carbonate. When introduced into the rectum, the suppository has a slight irritating effect on the mucous membrane and by reflex stimulates defecation, in addition, the feces soften. Introduce 1 suppository 1 time per day 15–20 minutes after breakfast.

Glycerin suppositories are contraindicated for exacerbation of hemorrhoids, cracks in the anus, inflammatory and neoplastic diseases of the rectum.

Herbal remedies are widely used in the treatment of constipation. laxative medicinal plants include: senna leaf, alder buckthorn bark, zhostera fruits (buckthorn laxative), rhubarb root, seaweed, licorice root and rhizome, dill herb, horse sorrel root, agave leaves, stalks of knotweed, stalks of gold leaf field steel roots, flax seed.

Collection No. 1
  • 3 parts senna leaves
  • 2 parts buckthorn bark
  • 2 parts joster fruit
  • 1 part aniseed fruit
  • 1 part licorice root

Brew 1 tablespoon of the mixture with a glass of boiling water, leave for 30–40 minutes and drink half a glass at night.

Collection No. 2
  • 1 part senna leaves
  • 1 part of dill herb
  • 1 part chamomile flowers
  • 1 part mint leaves
  • 1 part valerian root
  • 1 part of Helichrysum flowers

Prepare as collection # 1.Take a glass at night or half a glass 2 times a day.

Normalization of intestinal motor function

Patients with constipation have various types of movement disorders of the colon.

The patient should restore the reflex to defecate on his own (no matter how ridiculous it may sound), especially if the constipation is due to the suppression of the urge to defecate.

The patient is recommended to drink a glass of cold water or fruit juice in the morning on an empty stomach.After 30 minutes, the patient eats breakfast and goes to the toilet and, having taken the appropriate position (pulling the hips to the stomach), tries to induce defecation, straining during each exhalation.

The act of defecation is also assisted by hand massage of the abdomen, rhythmic retraction of the anus, pressure on the area between the coccyx and the anus. If this is not enough, then you can add 0.5-1 teaspoon of Karlovy Vary salt to the fruit juice or cold water taken in the morning (but, in my opinion, this is an extreme), and after breakfast insert a candle with glycerin into the anus.

If it is possible to develop a reflex to defecate, the administration of suppositories and the intake of laxative salt are stopped, patients continue to drink only cold water in the morning.

Mineral water treatment

Patients with constipation are shown mineral waters: “Essentuki” No. 17 and No. 4, “Batalinskaya”, Slavyanovskaya “,” Jermuk “.

Mineral water “Essentuki” No. 17 is prescribed for constipation with hypomotor (tendency to spasms), and less mineralized water “Essentuki” No. 4 – for constipation with hypermotility of the colon.

Assign 1 glass of cold mineral water 2-3 times a day 1-1.5 hours before meals for several weeks. For constipation with hypermotor dyskinesia, warm mineral water is preferable.

Physiotherapy

You cannot spend at home. And, to be honest, its effectiveness is not great.

Physiotherapy (exercise therapy), special gymnastics, massage

Exercise therapy plays a very significant role in the treatment of constipation.

According to A.V. Frolkis, exercise therapy should include various exercises, in particular: diaphragmatic breathing, alternating pulling of the bent leg to the stomach, spreading the bent legs to the sides, exercise “bicycle”, raising the pelvis with support on the feet of the bent legs, pushing movements of the anterior abdominal wall, rhythmic squeezing the sphincter, pulling it in (repeatedly throughout the day).

Exercises are performed lying on your back or standing on all fours. People with constipation should also do a daily set of morning exercises, lead an active lifestyle.

Trysso-Bergman gymnastics is also recommended, including special breathing exercises that increase intrarectal pressure, stimulate peristalsis, and play the role of a conditioned stimulus.

The exercise is as follows:

Deep breath with protrusion of the abdominal wall – pause 5-10 seconds – full breath with retraction of the anterior abdominal wall – pause 5-10 seconds; deep breaths and exhalations are repeated 3 times, followed by a deep breath and strong straining.After several quiet breaths, the cycle repeats again (7-10 times during a visit to the toilet). It is recommended to take cold water on an empty stomach (with honey or lemon) before starting gymnastics.

General massage is also advisable.

The author of the article is a surgeon S. L. Chernov

90,000 Diet for pregnant women

Check out the services in this area

Constipation is a condition in which feces remain in the colon for more than 2 days.Irregular bowel movements cause intoxication of the body, can contribute to the development of colitis, proctitis, hemorrhoids, cholecystitis, cystitis, pyelitis and other diseases. Constipation is observed with various pathologies of the digestive system, neuropsychiatric diseases, prolonged use of laxatives or enemas, eating food that is poor in plant fibers for a long time, with constant suppression of natural reflexes. Pregnancy can contribute to the development of a hypotonic state of the colon and constipation.

Constipation arising from various diseases of the digestive system requires the appointment of foods and dishes that have a laxative effect in accordance with the requirements of the main diet.

In case of gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer, diet 1 is prescribed and cream, butter, vegetable oils, fruit and vegetable juices, mashed potatoes or shredded vegetables (potatoes, carrots, beets) are added.

For diseases of the liver and biliary tract, a diet is recommended that includes foods and dishes that stimulate the motor function of the intestines (vinaigrettes, salads with vegetable oil, mashed carrots, beets, prunes, carrot, apricot, black and plum juices, kefir at night).

Constipation can be observed in pregnant women suffering from chronic enteritis, colitis, as well as megacolon, dolichosigma, hemorrhoids, sphincter fissures. Patients are prescribed a diet with an increase in mechanical and chemical stimuli that stimulate the motility of the large intestine (carrot puree, boiled beets, grapes without peels, crumbly cereals, sour juices, kefir).

In all cases, in the absence of damage to the digestive system, nutrition should be varied.

Foods and dishes are divided into five groups according to the mechanism of action on the motor-motor function of the intestine:

  • Group I – irritating stomach thermoreceptors cold: water, milkshake, beetroot, jellied dishes taken in the morning on an empty stomach;
  • II group – causing contraction of the gallbladder and enhancing the secretion of bile acids: sour cream, cream, sunflower, corn, olive and soybean oils;
  • III group – irritating chemoreceptors: sour berries, fruits, juices, sour milk drinks;
  • IV group – having the effect of hypertonic solutions and affecting the intestinal baroreceptors: jam, honey, sugar, syrup;
  • Group V – rich in fiber and increasing the volume of intestinal contents: vegetables, fruits, bran bread.

When formulating a diet for pregnant women with constipation, skillful selection of food and meals can help restore bowel function. The normal functioning of the intestines is influenced not only by the composition of the diet, but also by the diet.

Still have questions? Make an appointment with experienced proctologists of the URO-PRO center!

Order a call ← Our specialists can call you back at a convenient time for you. The call is free!

previous article
next article

90,000 A delicate problem.How to restore normal bowel function

Food and movement

“The food that modern man prefers contains a considerable amount of refined foods. This is white flour of the highest grades, refined sugar and vegetable oils, refined cereals, explains Panasyuk. “Therefore, our diet does not contain enough coarse fiber, which provides good intestinal motility.”

Constipated lovers of fatty foods, meat, eggs, baked shop snacks, which contain trans fats.For such people, replacing their favorite cookies with fruits and vegetables already eliminates such problems.

Those for whom the sofa is their best friend and who spends the whole day in an office chair suffer from constipation three times more often than those who engage in physical activity.

“Movement removes congestion in the intestines. With a lack of movement, the tone of the abdominal muscles, which seem to massage it, decreases. The intestine itself loses its tone, – explains the gastroenterologist. “Among my patients, especially young ones, there are a lot of those who solved the problem of stool retention by signing up for a pool or starting to run in the morning.”

Traveler’s Syndrome

We have all heard the phrase: “All diseases from the nerves” – and constipation is no exception.

“As practice shows, neurogenic constipation occurs more often than others. Bad mood, fatigue, depression and neurosis lead to dysfunctions of the autonomic nervous system, which regulates all organs, including the intestines. So a stable nervous system is the key to his good work, ”says Natalya Georgievna.

Our body is also nervous when we go on a trip. Changing time zones, new surroundings, unfamiliar food, or just an unusual toilet lead to the so-called traveler syndrome, who is not happy with life if he does not stock up on laxatives.

This type of constipation includes frequent stool retention associated with untimely bowel movements, if, for example, there is no toilet near the workplace.

Water and medicines

Normal stool is 70% water.And, if there is not enough of it in the body, the contents of the intestines become drier, and this makes the process of defecation very difficult.

“The liquid ensures proper digestion and normal stool, it is not without reason that many people use a glass of water drunk on an empty stomach as a remedy for constipation. Drink at least one and a half liters of water a day, says Natalya Panasyuk. – But try not to drink food, otherwise you will dilute the digestive juices that make it easier to digest. You need to drink water half an hour before eating. “

Constipation is a side effect of many medications that are taken for a long time, such as the popular no-shpa. This is the so-called toxic constipation, it develops with constant intoxication of the body with chemicals, the same nicotine.

Lead to stool retention and some diseases of the endocrine system, in which the functions of the ovaries, thyroid and pituitary gland are reduced. And even atherosclerosis, which we are accustomed to blame for the cause of cardiovascular disease.

“Atherosclerotic plaques arise not only in the vessels of the heart. They affect the vessels of the large and small intestines, ”explains Panasyuk.

On the advice of a doctor

But there is constipation, the causes of which are abnormalities in the intestines.

“The cause of organic constipation is obstructions that close the intestinal lumen. These can be tumors, polyps, scars, some congenital pathologies, – says Natalya Georgievna. “Therefore, if mucus or blood appears in the feces, stool retention has become painful, you should immediately consult a doctor.”

Patients who have undergone surgery complain of stool retention, because adhesions and scars may become its cause. Inflammatory and infectious diseases of the small and large intestines, oncological diseases interfere with normal bowel movements.

So the recipes for getting rid of constipation, of which there are many today, must be treated very carefully. You should not eat kilograms of laxative beets or run to the store for prunes if the reason for stool retention is unknown.

“Special research methods tell about the bowel tone, the diameter of the bowel lumen, the presence of pathological formations and spasmodic areas,” says Panasyuk.- First of all, it is necessary to exclude oncological diseases, inflammatory and infectious diseases of the small and large intestines, the presence of adhesions and scars after operations.

So home remedies can only make the disease worse. But many rely on enemas and laxatives.

“When used uncontrolled, the laxative reduces intestinal tone and sensitivity, it itself becomes the cause of stool retention,” explains the gastroenterologist.- You should not often resort to using enemas, as the intestines can simply forget about their direct responsibilities. Today there are many drugs that will help the patient, but they must be taken on the advice of a doctor. ”

Photo pixabay.com


Helpful hints

More liquid . If you are concerned about constipation, drink at least one and a half
liters of clean water per day between meals (15 minutes before and 30-40 minutes after).

Teeth – the first helper in digestion.Careful and unhurried chewing of food contributes to its better digestion in the alimentary canal.

Move more and exercise. When a person moves, he needs energy. To release it, the intestines begin to digest food more fully and actively push it towards the exit.

Massage the abdomen. If the intestines are lazy, every morning – after sleeping and emptying the bladder – you need to rub the area of ​​the sigmoid colon (below the navel on the left) in a circular motion with three fingers.This will facilitate the passage of feces.

Drink water on an empty stomach . In order for the intestines to start working in the morning, drink a glass of warm water as soon as you wake up. You can have breakfast in about 15 minutes after that.

Change your diet . Cabbage, carrots, beets, bran bread – this is what will help to cope with constipation. Reduce the amount of refined and cooked food, lean more on raw vegetables and fruits. Sour berries, plums, apricots help to cope with constipation.

Diarrhea and constipation in children

A child’s body is characterized not only by quantitative, but also very important qualitative differences from the body of an adult. Accordingly, the processes occur in a child’s body differently, and therefore a different reaction to many external influences is obtained than in adults. The most striking example is the work of the digestive system in children. In children, the muscles of the stomach and intestines are poorly developed. Nerve devices responsible for the regulation of peristalsis – pendulum-like movements that promote the movement of food – are underdeveloped.In addition, in the first months of life, children eat 6-7 times a day, so defecation is frequent and involuntary. With age, there is a gradual development of the body.
The intestines of a small child are longer than the intestines of an adult. In adults, the length of the intestine is 4 times longer than the length of the body, and in an infant – 6 times. A baby gets three times more food than an adult, calculated per kilogram of weight.
That is why the child’s digestive organs are under significant stress, which causes their increased sensitivity.A change in the rhythmic, correct work of the intestine occurs under the influence of various reasons, such as quantitative and qualitative errors in nutrition, various external influences, liver and kidney diseases.

Intestinal disorders are especially easy to develop if the child is fed food that is not appropriate for his age. For example, at two or three months, the baby is fed with porridge, at six months – with sausage or canned food. Often the child faces the problem of constipation when replacing breastfeeding with complementary foods.It is necessary to treat constipation in a child, starting with the introduction of the correct diet. In case of constipation in a child, parents must follow the rules for preparing milk formula, since you cannot prepare a mixture thicker to saturate the child. To alleviate the condition, the child is laid out on his stomach and the stomach is massaged in a clockwise direction. You can not give a child a laxative without a doctor’s examination, as a large amount of gas and bloating can form.

Diarrhea is also common in young children, like constipation.The cause of diarrhea in infants of a child is damage to the intestinal mucosa due to the penetration of pathogenic bacteria or viruses. If juices are introduced into the diet earlier than 3 months, the child will experience digestive upset. In particular, apple, plum and apricot juices have a laxative effect. If, three days after complementary foods were introduced, the newborn’s stool has not returned to normal, then it is worth refraining from these products in the future. Accordingly, there is a relationship between the density, frequency of stool in an infant and the food consumed by the mother.

To cure diarrhea in a child, a bacterial test should be done. After that, the doctor prescribes drug treatment, prescribing to the patient, as a rule, lactobacterin, bifidumbacterin, colibacterin or bificol. Folk remedies help slow the course of the disease. We are talking about a decoction of oak bark, fruits of bird cherry and blueberry, St. John’s wort, chamomile and Potentilla. However, self-medication of diarrhea in children is unacceptable. The cause of diarrhea in a child can also be associated with teething, an allergic reaction to antibiotics, which is why when diarrhea appears, you should consult a doctor, and not treat the child yourself.

Helpful hints

Why constipation occurs and how to get rid of it

Many have problems with age: the intestines do not empty completely, constipation occurs. What can you do to self-treat constipation? What are the best laxatives to take?

Constipation is considered a prolonged (more than 32-48 hours) stool retention or systematic insufficient emptying.In this case, the accumulation of feces in the large intestine leads to its stretching, and after that – to the indentation and displacement of other internal organs. In addition, toxic substances from non-excreted waste are absorbed into the bloodstream through the intestinal mucosa and poison the body. The serious negative consequences of constipation can also include inflammatory and oncological bowel diseases, hemorrhoids, etc.

In the modern world, this delicate problem is encountered by a significant part of the adult population.Unfortunately, only a third of those taking laxatives do it on the recommendation of a doctor, the rest – on the advice of friends, without choice, by accident.

To get rid of this dangerous metabolic disorder, first of all, it is necessary to eliminate its causes.

Change your diet and diet

Irregular snacks, dry food and fast food often lead to constipation. Do not take long breaks between meals, give up high-calorie refined foods with a small volume (chips, cookies, chocolate, etc.)). Eat more vegetables and fruits instead of starchy and starchy foods: plant fiber improves intestinal motility. Consume more liquids: fermented milk drinks, compotes, juices.

Lead an active lifestyle

Prolonged bed rest or simply lack of movement in knowledge workers is the last factor among the possible causes of sluggish bowel movements. Do the following exercises regularly:

– In any position of the body, draw in and relax the stomach 2-3 times a day for 30-50 repetitions;

– Squeeze and relax the muscles of the buttocks 2 times a day for 50 repetitions;

– Standing, perform (15-20 times) circular rotational movements of the body at the lumbar level; at the same time, the hips remain motionless;

– Massage your abdomen for 3-5 minutes daily.

– Avoid nervous tension, emotional overload and stress. They impair the blood supply to the internal organs and slow down their functioning.

If we talk about laxatives, they are very effective in the first few days of taking them. But with prolonged use they are addictive, destroy the intestinal mucosa, provoke colitis and cancer of the digestive system. Moreover, they provoke allergic reactions, itching in the anus and metabolic disorders due to increased excretion of minerals and kidney damage.

For this reason, instead of laxatives, it is better to use biologically active agents based on natural raw materials and herbs that have a laxative effect. Apricots and plums (dried apricots and prunes), seaweed and dill, boiled beets, etc., even with prolonged use, have a more gentle effect than the least dangerous drugs.

Constipation is not a sentence.

We talked about the principles of therapy for constipation with Alexander Igorevich Pavlov, Dr.MD, Colonel of the Medical Service, Head of the Center for Gastroenterology and Hepatology – Chief Gastroenterologist of the Federal State Budgetary Institution “3 TsVKG im. A.A. Vishnevsky “of the Russian Ministry of Defense; Professor of the Department of Therapy and Childhood Diseases of the Medical Institute of Continuing Education, FSBEI HE MGUPP; Honored Doctor of the Russian Federation.

– Please tell us how to distinguish between temporary stool disorder and chronic constipation?

The 6-month line serves as a conditional border between them.The causes of temporary constipation can be changes in living conditions and the nature of food, emotional stress, the presence of uncomfortable conditions for defecation (with bed rest, while traveling), side effects of drugs. Constipation of pregnant women, which develops in the third trimester due to inhibition of peristalsis under the influence of progesterone, is also temporary.

According to Rome IV criteria (Consilium Medicum # 08 2016 – Irritable Bowel Syndrome), constipation is considered chronic if it occurs for at least 6 months, and for the last 3 months the patient has noted (continuously or sporadically) two or more of the following symptoms:

• straining during defecation for more than 25% of the time of the act of defecation;

• the presence of “sheep” or hard feces with more than 1 out of 4 acts of defecation;

• feeling of incomplete evacuation with more than 1 in 4 bowel movements;

• feeling of anorectal obstruction or blockage with more than 1 in 4 bowel movements;

• manual assistance for emptying more than 1 in 4 bowel movements;

• frequency of bowel movements – less than 3 per week.

– What are the principles of chronic constipation treatment?

– The first step in treating constipation is non-drug measures. Among them, the most important is the use of a sufficient amount of vegetable fiber and at least two liters of fluid per day in order to increase the volume of intestinal contents, stimulate peristalsis and soften feces. In addition to the mechanical effect on the intestine, plant fibers, as a result of their fermentation by the intestinal microflora, serve as a source of the formation of short-chain fatty acids that stimulate peristalsis.

With constipation, diet is also important. Breakfast should be hearty enough and contain foods rich in fat (eg butter, eggs). This measure is designed to maintain the natural gastroolytic reflex, which is to increase the motility of the colon after waking up and having breakfast. The high fat content of food enhances this reflex. Correct behavior, understanding the importance of the problem of constipation, avoiding restraining the natural urge to defecate, must be given special attention.Developing “good habits” about bowel movements is important. After breakfast, you need to allocate 10-20-30 minutes (individually) for a possible stay in the toilet. In addition, in the treatment of constipation, sufficient physical activity is recommended, especially for the abdominal muscles (walking on stairs, exercise “bike”, etc.), abdominal massage. If non-drug methods of stool normalization are ineffective, laxatives are prescribed, which should be taken only under the supervision of a physician.

It must be recognized that the success of treatment requires constant effort and time.Constipation does not go away quickly and cannot be expected to get better within a day or two.

– What is your own experience with Fe-Rox?

An open-label study of Fe-Rox aloe juice concentrate was conducted to evaluate its effectiveness and safety in treating constipation.

The concentrated juice of aloe Fe-Rox contains aloin, which, due to the presence of anthraglycosides in it, is used as a laxative.

Fe-Rox was used in 71 patients with constipation: 57 (80.28%) were women and 14 (19.72%) were men. The average age of the participants as a whole is 59.9 years. The duration of constipation in all patients ranged from a year to tens of years. [one]

All patients were prescribed a single dosage regimen for Fe-Rox – 1 capsule 3 times a day after meals for 7-12 days. While taking Fe-Rocks, we did not notice bloating and abdominal pain, which often occur when taking irritating laxatives.There were also no side effects while taking Fe-Rocks. The resolution of constipation was observed in 54 (76%) patients. In all of them, stool retention did not exceed 5 days. [one]

Based on clinical experience, the use of Fe-Rox Aloe Vera Concentrated Juice, a natural herbal laxative, one capsule 3 times a day after meals in patients with chronic constipation helps to normalize stools without pain and bloating. As a result, patients can independently reduce

the dose of the drug is up to 1-2 capsules per day when a stable positive effect is achieved.

[1] – “Experience in the use of Fe-Rox aloe juice concentrate for the treatment of patients with functional constipation” A.I. Pavlov Federal State Budgetary Institution “3 Central Military Clinical Hospital named after A.A. Vishnevsky “Ministry of Defense of Russia, Krasnogorsk

Related products: Ferrox

Dietary supplement. NOT A DRUG.

90,000 Nutritional advice for constipation

Recommended:

Wheat, rye, bran, yesterday’s bread, “8 cereals”, crispy multi-grain bread with the addition of oatmeal, bran, non-tasty sorts of bakery products, dry biscuits.

Oatmeal, buckwheat, barley, millet porridge, puddings, casseroles with milk, 2 times a week: pasta, noodles, homemade noodles.

Vegetarian soups (either in the second broth, in the second broth), vegetable or on cereals.

Low-fat beef, veal, chicken, turkey, rabbit, boiled, as well as chopped (cutlets, meatballs, soufflé), Doctor’s sausage, low-fat ham.

Cod, pike perch, perch, pike, hake, pink salmon, haddock, trout, halibut, chum salmon, salmon, mackerel, all boiled lean fish (in chunks, cutlets, meatballs).

Vegetable stews, cutlets from various vegetables: Cauliflower, zucchini, pumpkin, carrots, beets. Vegetable salads from fresh vegetables: cucumbers, tomatoes (600-800g. Per day).

Baked apples (2 pcs per day), Dried fruits, fresh apples, pears. Plums, apricots, strawberries, wild strawberries, black and red currants, cherry bananas (2 pcs per week)

Milk only in a dish, up to 50 g. Sour cream (10% fat), 30 g. Sour milk products, up to 400 g.Cottage cheese (5% fat), mild cheese varieties.

Butter – in a dish (20 g per day), unrefined vegetable oil (35 g per day) olive oil.

Honey, jam, marshmallow, marshmallow, marmalade.

Freshly squeezed juices with pulp: from apples, carrots, pumpkins, berries, rosehip decoction.

Soft-boiled eggs, steam omelet (at the rate of 1 egg per day).

Weak tea, coffee, still mineral water (as prescribed by a doctor), fresh and dried fruit compote.

Not Recommended:

Fresh bread, pastry products, puff pastry, pancakes, pies, especially from yeast dough, pastries.

Semolina, rice, legumes, (beans, beans, peas, lentils).

Okroshka, milk soups, soups on fatty meat, fish, chicken broths.

All types of fatty and spicy sausages, boiled sausages, sausages, pork, goose, duck, fatty lamb, canned meat, dumplings.

All canned fish, fried fish, fatty fish, sturgeon, beluga, stellate sturgeon, smoked fish.

White and red cabbage, bell peppers, radishes, radishes, mushrooms, raw onions and garlic.

Pomegranate, dogwood, persimmon, quince.

Lard, pork, lamb, beef fat, mayonnaise.

Chocolate, halva, cream cakes, nougat.

Canned juices, jelly.

Scrambled eggs.

Cocoa, strong tea and coffee, alcoholic drinks, kvass, carbonated water, beer, white wine.

  • Turbina S.V., Belousova E.A. Diet therapy of constipation // Pharmateka. 2008 No. 8
  • Gurvich M.M. Health food. Gastroenterologist’s advice. Moscow: EKSMO 2011.

General dietary rules for constipation.

1. Power mode:

It is advisable to eat at the same time.The last meal can be before bedtime (for example, a glass of kefir and biscuits with bran).

2. Rhythm of the day:

Every 3-4 hours, only 5-6 times a day, take food as the most effective laxative.

3. Don’t starve !!!

4. Do not overeat in the evenings, during holidays, banquets, etc.

5. You are NOT recommended exclusively for boiled mashed and chopped food in the form of mashed potatoes, soufflés, jelly, etc.n. You can stew, fry, bake on the grill, bake your dishes on the fire.

6. The volume of food for each meal should be sufficient – not less than 300g, but not too large – no more than 500g.

7. The basis of your diet for constipation is foods that contain a lot of plant dietary fiber (vegetables, fruits, berries, herbs). This is the most effective physiological, safe laxative “medicine”!

8. Do not forget that breakfast is your main meal.

9. Take the liquid at will, but not less than 1.5 liters. in a day.

Effectively taking on an empty stomach 1 glass of warm water, boiled or slightly mineralized with magnesium salts.

10. Exclude from the diet foods to which you have an individual intolerance.

90,000 diet principles and a list of foods

Constipation, hemorrhoids – everyone has encountered unpleasant and painful symptoms of these common bowel diseases at least once.Regular and prolonged stool disturbances (absence of bowel movement for more than three days) lead to the formation of hemorrhoids and rectal fissures. Inflamed hemorrhoids and anal fissures bleed, causing new and even greater problems. Vicious circle. A properly selected diet and a balanced diet for hemorrhoids and constipation will help prevent and significantly alleviate the course of the disease.

It is known that excessive consumption of protein foods with insufficient fluid intake at different stages of hemorrhoids and constipation leads to fecal congestion.The hardened stool not only disrupts blood circulation in the vessels of the anus, thereby increasing hemorrhoids, but in some cases lead to their inflammation, bleeding and infection. That is why in people suffering from hemorrhoids, dieting becomes one of the most important factors in the treatment of the disease, not only at the stage of exacerbation and in the postoperative period, but also for the prevention and remission of the disease.

Thus, a well-formulated diet must necessarily include a large amount of water and foods high in fiber, which stimulates the intestines and has a mild laxative effect.

“Alan Clinic” is a specialized clinic for the treatment of hemorrhoids – with us you can undergo a comprehensive examination and treatment in 1-3 visits to a proctologist, as well as free post-treatment follow-up by a proctologist for 12 months.

What can be done with hemorrhoids and constipation

When composing a menu for every day, you need to focus on foods that are quickly absorbed and thereby stimulate the motor activity of the colon, normalizing the stable functioning of the digestive tract.These include:

  • Groats – barley, buckwheat, oat, pearl barley. It is allowed to cook porridge in water or milk with the addition of a small amount of butter.
  • Vegetable fiber – vegetables (pumpkin, beets, carrots, cauliflower, tomatoes, cucumbers), fruits (sweet apples, plums, apricots, peaches, bananas, pears, dogwood, dried fruits), fresh herbs, seaweed, berries. Vegetables are recommended to be consumed at least 1 time per day raw, as well as steamed, baked or used for making soups.You need to understand that it is the vegetable diet that is the basis of nutrition for hemorrhoids and constipation, as it contributes to the motor function of the intestines.
  • Meat – dietary turkey and chicken. Poultry peeled from skin and fat can be eaten boiled, baked or steamed. It is allowed to cook casseroles, cutlets, dishes stuffed with vegetables, provided that they are not fried in oil.
  • Fish – pike perch, cod, pike, pollock. The list of fish products can be expanded with any low-fat varieties cooked in foil, steamed or in the oven.
  • Vegetable oils – pumpkin, linseed, cedar, sea buckthorn. By including these oils in your daily diet for a week, you help protect the intestinal mucosa, provide an enveloping effect and enhance its motor function.
  • Fermented milk products – kefir, yoghurts, fermented baked milk, curdled milk. The use of approved dairy products enriched with bifidum and lactobacilli allows you to normalize the intestinal microflora and avoid constipation.
  • Bakery and bakery products – only dried bread made from durum cereals without the addition of yeast is allowed.
  • Drinks – weak herbal tea, homemade juices and fruit drinks.

What is prohibited for hemorrhoids and constipation

What can be eaten in the treatment of hemorrhoids and constipation, we have found out, now let’s talk about which foods are strictly prohibited during an exacerbation of diseases and after surgery to remove hemorrhoids. Prohibited foods include:

  • spicy, fatty and spicy foods,
  • fried foods, including grills,
  • various sauces and dressings,
  • canned, smoked, dried and pickled foods,
  • rich meat soups,
  • alcoholic beverages,
  • radish, turnip, cabbage, onion, garlic, radish, legumes, potatoes,
  • grapes, persimmons, quince,
  • pasta, rice, semolina,
  • strong tea, coffee, jelly, chocolate, sweets, mousses and jellies,
  • fresh bread, yeast dough pastries with a lot of cream and cream.

All these products irritate the intestinal mucosa, increase gas production and cause constipation.

Important! The daily ration for the week for men and women is based on fractional nutrition. Basic balanced meals in small portions and light snacks in between allows for regular bowel movements and shortens the recovery period after acute symptoms of the disease. A sparing diet is prescribed until the stage of remission is reached, when the inflammation goes away, cracks begin to heal and bleeding stops.

Author

Voinov Mikhail Andreevich

Chief physician of the Alan Clinic medical center in Moscow

Proctologist, surgeon.