How to Stop Constipation

Constipation has the power to cause discomfort, affect moods and even interrupt important life events. This condition has many contributing causes including dietary intake and exercise habits. Although constipation can strike anyone, there are preventive measures that may help alleviate the troublesome condition. Stopping constipation requires a commitment to finding and solving the condition's root causes.

Instructions

• 1

  Ensure your daily fluid intake is appropriate for your lifestyle and overall level of health. Aim to drink six to eight glasses of water each day to help stop constipation. Certain situations and health conditions may alter your daily fluid requirements. For example, participating in sports increases the amount of fluid you should drink. Diabetics are more predisposed to experience constipation and should increase fluid intake. Drink a steady amount of water each day to avoid becoming dehydrated.

• 2

  Assess your diet to help stop constipation. Eat a diet containing high-fiber foods such as bran flakes, figs and broccoli to help your body pass waste materials more efficiently. Since your body is unable to break down fiber, it passes easily through your digestive track, taking along accumulated waste. Refrain from eating a diet containing large amounts of high-fat, low-fiber foods such as meat, eggs and milk. Keep track of your daily eating habits and bowel movements to make any needed adjustments.

• 3

  Engage in regular exercise to help alleviate constipation. Physical activity such as jogging promotes bowel motility. Include at least three 20-minute periods of aerobic exercise into your weekly routine to "wake up" your digestive track.

• 4

  Listen to your body's natural urge to "go." Take a trip to the bathroom as soon as it's necessary to prevent stool from becoming hardened inside the digestive track. Frequently ignoring the need to have a bowel movement can result in not being able to feel when a bowel movement is necessary. This may even result in bowel obstructions.

• 5

  Examine your medication regimen. Medications and supplements such as calcium channel blockers and iron are known to contribute to constipation. While using laxatives may help relieve constipation, taking these aides in excess can also contribute to constipation. Consult your doctor to determine the best regimen for your individual needs.