What is Constipation:

Constipation is a symptom which is characterized by either having fewer than three bowel movements in a week or having difficulty in passing stools (i.e, straining) that are often hard, small, and dry.

Symptoms of Constipation:

The followings are the symptoms of constipation –

• Less frequent bowel movement than normal
• Small, dry, hard, painful stools
• Straining to eliminate stools
• Feeling of abdominal fullness
• Feeling of pressure in the rectum.

What to do in Constipation (Constipation remedies)–

LIFESTYLE MODIFICATION:

• Respond promptly to the urge to have a bowel movement
• Establish regular times for eating, adequate rest and elimination
• Increase your level of physical activity
• Determine if there are drugs that you are taking that could be contributing to the constipation (with the assistance of your physician ) and ask your physician to see if the drugs can be discontinued or changed
• Avoid stressful conditions.
• Avoid chronic use of laxatives and cathartics.

DIETARY MODIFICATION:

Role of diet in constipation is very significant, so following dietary guidelines should be followed:

•  Increase intake of insoluble fibers ( Present in Whole-wheat flour, Bran, Vegetables, Whole grains, Mature vegetables,Wheat, Fruits and edible seeds like flax seeds & strawberries)
• Increase the amount of water(About 8-10 glasses a day) and non-caffeinated beverages.
• Try to eat a large breakfast
• Decrease dairy, egg, and meat products to a healthy balance
• Take 1 or 2 glasses of hot or cold water , plain or with lemon before breakfast
• Fat – containing foods e.g. butter, cream, & oils are useful for you.

Food Lists :

Diet in Constipation (High residue diet with plenty of fluids) :

Sample Menu Plan for Constipation

(Prepared by Mrs. Sharmin Sultana , M.S. in Food & Nutrition )

From this list you can get protein -56 gm & total calorie -1300 Kcal.