Understanding Constipation
Constipation is the infrequent or difficult passage of hard stool, which often causes pain and discomfort.
🥗 Diet Recommendations
You should increase the amount of high fiber foods:
- Fresh raw fruits with skins and seeds
- Fresh raw vegetables
- Bran
- Fruit juices (like prune juice)
- Warm or hot fluids in the morning are especially helpful
- Increase fluid intake overall to help prevent dehydration
Medication Options
💊 Stool Softeners (Colace)
- Help to lubricate the intestine so that stool can pass through more easily
- Do not chemically stimulate the bowel
- Used primarily to prevent constipation
💊 Laxatives
Chemically stimulate the bowel causing it to move faster. These include:
- Miralax
- Milk of Magnesium
- Dulcolax tablets
- Magnesium Citrate
⚠️ Warning: Be careful not to take too much as they can cause diarrhea.
🔄 Suppositories
- Chemically or physically stimulate the bowel
- Work best within ½ hour after a meal
💧 Enemas
- Physically stimulate defecation by flushing out the area
- Fleets enemas usually work well and are easy to give
- Only given when everything else has failed
⚠️ Warning: If overused can cause "addiction" in which you will be unable to have a bowel movement without an enema.
If Taking a Narcotic - Follow This Regimen
📋 Step-by-Step Protocol
Step 1:
Begin taking Colace or Senakot. Take one tablet by mouth twice a day with plenty of water.
Step 2:
If you have not had a bowel movement by the second day, continue with #1 and take one capful of Miralax every morning.
Step 3:
If you have not had a bowel movement by the third day, continue with #1 and #2, and take a Dulcolax suppository, one rectally, every 12 hours.
Step 4:
If you still have not had a bowel movement after the above treatment, continue with #1, #2 and #3, and take one full bottle of Magnesium Citrate, undiluted.
Step 5:
If all of these measures have failed to induce a bowel movement, call your surgeon's office.
🔄 If You Develop Loose Stools
If you develop loose, frequent, or watery bowel movements, reverse these steps by reducing or stopping medications in reverse order.
📞 Contact Your Surgeon's Office If:
- All constipation management steps have failed
- You experience severe abdominal pain
- You develop concerning symptoms
- You have questions about the protocol