Health - Constipation

[NeoGeo64]

Poppy tea makes SWIM very constipated. SWIM doesn't like shitting a football twice a week.

Is there anything SWIM can do/take to alleviate the constipation?

[Bowieeno]

Originally Posted by NeoGeo64

Poppy tea makes SWIM very constipated. SWIM doesn't like shitting a football twice a week.

Is there anything SWIM can do/take to alleviate the constipation?

One thing SWIY can do is to increase his/her intake of fiber on a daily basis. SWIM knows your probable reaction of "what a pain in the *ss.
But really it's worth it. If SWIY cannot get around to buying/eating high fiber foods, just try a product available at "Large Marts" for example, in the pharm section. SWIM doesn't remember exactly the name and (I beleive) cannot mention names (SWIM needs to re-read forum rules) but the product is similar in name to Benefit but is Benefi r or something. It is soluable in any liquid or food and has no taste. I use a tablespoon or two with at least one bottle of water per day. ALSO drink lots of healthy fluids like water, juice, tea ect... This should help some, but with pods it can get pretty bad. SWIM knows about this too.

Good Luck

[samuraigecko]

Extra Fiber in ones diet can only be of benefit if dietary fiber intake is inadequate. Studies have shown that an excessive fiber diet can actually make matters worse.

When a bowel movement happens the lower GIT and other muscles contract and relax. An excess of fiber can actually make it harder for these muscles to "push through" the waste and having a "football shit a week" would turn into having a "beach ball shit a week" if one can even manage to get it past their sphincter at all.

Everyone is different, what may work for one may not work for another. So here is an example of what works for SWIM to gain another perspective and the reason why he does it.

Fiber is essential but should not be focused upon for the reasons mentioned previously.

A varied diet is important, eat from all food groups if possible and eat properly at regular intervals.

Eating properly at regular intervals has proven to make bowel movements more regular also.

If one is having problems, eat a hot curry or hot Mexican food. Something with a lot of peppers in it or a chilli or something. This will break down hard stools in the bowels and let it pour out like water. This will not be pleasant, SWIyour sphincter WILL get burnt, but it will have the desired effect so that one can resume a proper diet.

Fluids are essential, one can eat a high fiber diet and end up dehydrating themselves because of inadequate fluid intake. Too much fluid is also bad, remember the doctors recommendation of "8 glasses of water a day". One must also remember that fiber will absorb fluid so one does not want to overdo the fiber.

Basically, eating properly and regularly is the key. SWIM makes sure that he eats properly at regular intervals almost every day. He finds that if he neglects this then things go back to having hour sessions on the porcelain throne.

Remember, if SWIyou put things in regularly (and the right things in moderation) then things will also come out regularly.

In a pinch when problems arise, hot and spicy foods are the answer to flush out the nasty nasty GIT. SWIyou WILL shit . . and it WILL hurt, but at least its OUT.

LOLZ

Peace

[Potter]

Please don't turn to laxatives as they themselves can be habit forming and will only compound the problem.

Good diet is a MUST for all of us on this board, so many of the negative side effects we experience from our activities can be remedied by healthy eating.

On the fluid intake note, soda and alcohol do not count as fluids, they cause dehydration, not solve it, sports drinks are of dubious quality IMHO. Your body needs water, clean fresh water for proper hydration. And don't pull that "but the PST was made from 2 quarts of water"... that doesn't count either.

[drug-bot]

swim suffers bad constipation from methadone, he knows how bad it hurts that he actually gets scared when he feels a bowel movement is coming (which is only like once a week). an occasional laxative is not harmful if taken only once in a while such as during an unusally long period of constipation. milk of magnesia is a non-stimulant laxative which is safe to take on a more regular basis, mineral oil is also safe to take more regulary. and of course drink plenty of water.

Reputation Comments on this post:

good advice on proper laxative use

[Hood]

Swim finds that if she is constipated, the best way to gain relief is to munch your way thru 1/2 pack of dried prunes, apricots or figs....

within a couple of hours relief should be yours! If this dosen't work then lactulose is a safe and efficient laxative, its what they use in hospitals...(swim is a trained nurse!)
You can get it O.T.C in most pharmacies.

But try the prunes first, they have never failed swim!!

Reputation Comments on this post:

safe, natural, effective, best advice yet.

[Lady Codone]

DO: increase fluid intake (preferably pure distilled water), make sure you get plenty of dietary fiber (most people don't), exercise daily, and use supplements like magnesium citrate, aloe vera extract, and cleansing herbs like milk thistle, dandelion, and pau d' arco to keep things moving. Probiotic supplements are one of the safest, most effective way to stay regular. You can take as many as you need until you have a bowel movement with no danger to your health. The same is true of Vitamin C.

If the constipation gets severe, try Milk of Magnesia or another non-stimulant laxative. This should be a last resort, though, as laxatives are addictive and harmful if taken too often. Taking regular opiate breaks is also an option.

DON'T: eat foods that constipate you further (cheese is a common offender), take supplements containing iron, allow yourself to get dehydrated, or be too sedentary. SWIM drinks around a gallon of water every day and has found that exercises targeting the stomach/intestines like side-bends, crunches, etc. help keep things moving. Flaxseed is also an easy way to add fiber and EFAs to the diet, both of which are needed for regular BMs.

Constipation is more than an inconvenience and has been connected with everything from acne to colon cancer. It allows toxins to build up in the body and slowly causes impaired digestion, leaky gut, increased food allergies/yeast overgrowth, and other serious quality of life issues. Every bit of food you eat should come out, if not the same day, the very next. Two large meals should result in two BMs, for instance. At the very least, you should have one per day (if you eat everyday, that is.)