How do you cure chronic constipation?
Monday, August 23rd, 2010 at
12:12 pm
I am 23 years old and I have suffered from IBS with constipation my entire life. My doctor keeps telling me to eat more fiber, but I already eat several servings each of fruits and veggies and whole grains every day. I drink more than 10 glasses of water per day. I avoid refined flour and sugar. I don’t eat meat and recently I gave up dairy. Magnesium doesn’t help and neither does Psyllium Husk. I have never used laxatives and don’t want to. Please help! I’m miserable.
Filed under: Detoxification And Cleansing
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Lifestyle modifications as your doctor recommended are very appropriate and you are doing all the right things.
I would suggest to your doctor that he would refer you to a gastroenterologist for further evaluation.
As far as medical treatments are concerned, Zelnorm is still available, but with restrictions imposed by the FDA, and I think you might qualify. Another class of medication for treatment of chronic constipation is Amitiza.
As far as cures for constipation are concerned, this depends on the cause. Irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) and painful constipation are generally speaking not curable, but they are treatable.
Infrequently, constipation may be due to pelvic floor dysfunction, Hirschprung’s disease, colonic inertia and other metabolic disorders (thyroid gland, parathyroid gland, adrenal gland, kidneys, …) that cause disturbances leading to constipation and it does not seem that any of these (other than possibly thyroid underfunction) would apply to you. Of course, one should not forget that certain medications can also cause constipation.
All the best.
That leaves psychological/emotional issues, meditation and exercise would be the next things to try.
Maybe with your IBS you have low motility, meaning your intestine doesn’t push the food through properly. It really sounds like you are eating well, drinking plenty of fluids and fiber. Sometimes the key is exercise and getting gravity to help push everything downward. It also helps the muscle contractions in your intestine that pushes the food downward. Sometimes too many carbs can also clog up your system.
Add flax seed to your cereal every morning
Coffee, a cigarette and commute to work. never fails for me.
You know both my mother and I have similar situations. Usually, IBS helps in bowel movements because an of irritated bowels. I have used everything, and this is what works for me..
Carrot juice is the best that I have taken. I did not drink carrot juice to assist me with bowel movement; I drank it for my health. What is good about it is no cramps and regular bowel movement. It will not aggravate your bowels like most things.
Now, I am going to give you some more advice that you did not ask. I too have had symptoms of IBS for over ten years. Whenever it becomes too irritating, drink the water from white rice. It will sooth and ease the redness.