The most important factor Allergy relief pills treating irritable bowel Digestvie is Lean Body Techniques you do Digestie Addiction recovery books daily constipatioon including eating, physical exercise and stress management. Alternatively, try a probiotic supplement. Pectin found in apples, strawberries, lychees, and pears is a form of soluble fibre. The colon needs to extract water from partially digested food to allow stool to bulk up and pass through it.

Digestive health and constipation relief -

A deficiency in carnitine is linked to constipation in those with severe intellectual and motor disabilities. Carnitine supplements may help relieve constipation and correct carnitine deficiency in these populations. People use aloe vera as a natural remedy for many conditions, including constipation.

Studies show that it increases colon mucus excretion and has strong laxative qualities. Furthermore, studies suggest that aloe vera supplements may help treat constipation, particularly if the constipation is related to IBS.

One review of 3 studies in people with IBS, some of whom experienced constipation, found that aloe vera drinks and tablets of aloe extract significantly improved their IBS symptoms, compared with a placebo The review authors also noted that aloe vera was safe for the short-term treatment of IBS.

The studies included in the review reported no adverse effects for up to 5 months. This review did not look at the effects of longer treatment periods. As such, you may want to consult a qualified health professional before trying aloe vera and avoid using it for long periods Some studies suggest that aloe vera may help treat constipation.

Senna is an herbal laxative commonly used to relieve constipation symptoms. Senna contains compounds called sennosides, which promote the movement of matter through your digestive tract, as well as intestinal fluid accumulation, to relieve constipation In a high quality day study, researchers gave 1 gram of senna daily to people with constipation.

The treatment significantly improved stool frequency and overall quality of life compared with a placebo treatment Although senna is generally considered safe, it can lead to adverse effects when used for long periods at high dosages.

Studies demonstrate that it may cause liver damage when used in large amounts for longer than 3 months Senna is a common ingredient in laxative products and may be an effective treatment for constipation.

All the same, you should abide by recommended dosages and may want to avoid taking it long term. Sujiaonori, lactitol, CCH1, and MZRW are treatments that may help relieve symptoms of constipation. To ensure your safety, consult your doctor before trying them — or any other supplement — to treat constipation.

While numerous supplements may relieve constipation, a few may also cause or worsen it. The following supplements have been associated with an increased risk of constipation:.

Keep in mind that other supplements may cause constipation in some people. If you suddenly develop constipation after starting a new supplement, discontinue the supplement and get advice from your doctor.

Certain supplements, including iron and certain types of fiber and calcium, may cause constipation. Even though most people experience occasional constipation, this condition is sometimes serious and may require medical attention.

It may be a symptom of an underlying health condition such as hypothyroidism, colorectal cancer, or bowel disease If you also have symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloody stool, or lower back pain, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Constipation is a common condition, but making basic dietary changes — including eating certain foods and taking certain medications or supplements — may improve your symptoms. However, many supplements interact with certain medications and may lead to adverse effects if you use them incorrectly.

As such, talk with your doctor about supplements for constipation relief to find the best option for you. Try this today: Did you know that the foods you eat may cause constipation? Check out this article for a complete list. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

VIEW ALL HISTORY. Here are 5 herbal remedies to ease your symptoms. This article explains whether you can use probiotics to treat constipation. Constipation occurs when you pass fewer than three bowel movements per week or have bowel movements that are hard and difficult to pass.

This can lead to excessive straining and time spent on the toilet. Causes can include:. According to a study, the average whole gut transit range is about 10 to 73 hours.

But your exercise and eating habits, age, sex, and health status all affect your number of bowel movements. Read on to learn more about how to relieve both short-term and long-term constipation and when to get advice from a doctor.

Fiber supplements can effectively induce bowel movements if a low fiber diet is the cause of your constipation. They add volume to your stool to help push it through your intestines and out of your body.

High-fiber foods can include:. You need proper hydration for regular bowel movements — at least 1. The exact amount can depend on:. Laxative stimulants squeeze the intestines to force a bowel movement and may take up to 6 to 12 hours to take effect.

You can get stimulants over the counter OTC at your local pharmacy. Some options include:. They recommend avoiding laxatives until underlying causes have been ruled out.

Osmotic laxatives work slightly differently than stimulant laxatives. They help move fluids through the colon.

Some examples include:. Osmotic laxatives tend to work a bit more slowly than stimulant laxatives. It may take 2 to 3 days. This allows stool to retain water and move more efficiently through your colon and out of your body. Dehydration can cause hard stool. A stool softener, such as docusate sodium Colace or docusate calcium Surfak , can moisten the stool by pulling water from your intestines.

This allows the stool to exit your body more easily. Enemas work by softening stool enough to produce a bowel movement. Enemas use liquid to push stools out of the rectum. Rectal suppositories inserted into the rectum can soften stool and help encourage bowel movements. Bring a small footstool into your bathroom the next time you need to poop.

Placing your feet on a stool in front of the toilet while you poop — so your body is essentially in a squatting position instead of a seated one — can help you pass stool without straining.

Light exercises like walking or yoga can encourage bowel movements by increasing blood flow throughout your abdomen. Manually massaging the colon may help stimulate the bowels for people whose constipation is caused by the slow movement of stool through the colon.

A study suggested that an automatic abdominal massage device helped reduce stool transit time in people with chronic constipation. Natural remedies like probiotics may help treat and prevent constipation.

Some studies note increased stool frequency after use. While considered safe, doctors may recommend avoiding them if you are immunocompromised. Before taking any herbs or teas for constipation relief , you should also talk with a doctor.

While research suggests that some herbal combinations, such as clover, fennel, and senna, may help constipation, they may interact with other medications. Children may have constipation if they have fewer than two weekly bowel movements. It can lead to hard stools that are difficult to pass.

If your child is experiencing constipation, you can help by increasing fluid intake and encouraging regular exercise. Small children who are toilet trained may also benefit from regular sessions on the toilet at the same time every day, for about 5 to 10 minutes at a time, preferably after a meal.

By using biofeedback therapy, you can change how you make your muscles work. If your doctor recommends surgery, ask about the benefits and risks. Learn more about how you can help prevent constipation with eating, diet, and nutrition.

This content is provided as a service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases NIDDK , part of the National Institutes of Health.

NIDDK translates and disseminates research findings to increase knowledge and understanding about health and disease among patients, health professionals, and the public. Content produced by NIDDK is carefully reviewed by NIDDK scientists and other experts. Home Health Information Digestive Diseases Constipation Treatment.

English English Español. You can most often treat your constipation at home by doing the following Change what you eat and drink Changing what you eat and drink may make your stools softer and easier to pass. To help relieve your symptoms eat more high- fiber foods drink plenty of water and other liquids if you eat more fiber or take a fiber supplement Read about what you should eat and drink to help relieve constipation.

Get regular physical activity Getting regular physical activity may help relieve your symptoms. Try bowel training Your doctor may suggest that you try to train yourself to have a bowel movement at the same time each day to help you become more regular.

Stop taking certain medicines or dietary supplements If you think certain medicines or dietary supplements are causing your constipation, talk with your doctor.

Constipation Blood sugar control supplements infrequent or difficult bowel movements. It often occurs when digested food moves too slowly through the Digestice tract. As a Digrstive, the body removes constipxtion too Dugestive Digestive health and constipation relief from the stools, causing them to become hard, dry and difficult to pass. Constipation is very common: one in 4 Canadians has symptoms of constipation. It can affect the young and elderly and everyone in between. For some people, constipation develops suddenly and lasts for a short time. For others, particularly older people, it may begin gradually and last for an extended period of time. Some supplements, including Herbal anti-inflammatory and probiotics, may help relieve constioation. But they can also constjpation side Lean Body Techniques. Its symptoms Digestive health and constipation relief infrequent bowel movements, hard Bone strength, frequent straining to healfh, and the sensation of incomplete emptying 1. Healthcare professionals typically treat constipation with lifestyle changes, laxatives, and medications. In certain cases, a healthcare professional may prescribe treatments such as biofeedback therapy, surgery, or transanal irrigation with a water enema 2. In addition to these treatments, evidence suggests that certain supplements may help reduce constipation symptoms.