Opioid Constipation Relief

Opioids work very well for some people who are experiencing either chronic or acute pain, but one of the side effects of the medication is constipation, which can be rather unpleasant. It is unwise to rely on over-the-counter laxatives to help with this condition as your body can become dependent upon them.

Increase Fiber

• Eat fiber-rich foods with every meal. Choose whole grain breads and cereals over processed foods, and eat plenty of vegetables and fruit. Eating prunes or drinking prune juice is often all the help you need to get things moving again. Avoid sugar. Eat on schedule.

Hydration

• It is very important to keep your system hydrated, especially with high fiber foods. Water is needed in every system of your body to make the "machinery" function properly. Fluids keep the stools soft and easy to pass. Don't count soda as water; diet soda can actually be dehydrating.

Exercise

• Boosting your system with exercise is a great way to move things along. Exercise boosts your metabolism which will encourage your digestive system to keep moving. Walking 30 minutes is always a good idea but particularly now.

Other Ideas

• If you have to resort to a laxative, take a natural one like psyllium. In order for this super-concentrated fiber to work properly, you must also drink a lot of water with it to keep the stools soft enough to pass comfortably. Keep in mind that herbal remedies should be used with caution since they can make your digestive system lazy.