Constipation Treatment and Cures | Diet and Food to Treat Constipation

Treatment to Cure Constipation

The treatment of constipation can be divided into dietary adjustment, behavioral therapy, drug therapy and surgery.

Fiber supplementation is the first line therapy for constipation.
Wheat bran is the most effective supplement.
Other supplementation includes fruits, vegetables, oats, mucilage’s, corn and cellulose.
Patient is advisable to have lots of fluids.
Patients with gas bloat as a primary symptom, those with obstructive lesions and fecal impaction experience worsening of symptoms with fiber supplementation therefore these should not receive fiber in diet.

Habit training is aimed at achieving regular defecation and prevention of build up to stool and soiling.
The patient is asked to attempt for defecation immediately after meals as the colonic motility is most active during these times.
Once post-prandial defecation occurs on regular basis, then drug therapy is gradually withdrawn.

Laxatives are to be used for short term therapy of constipation. Most laxatives lose their effect over time.
Bulk laxatives (docusate sodium) these facilitates mixture of colonic contents to soften fecal mass.
Lubricants (mineral oils) penetrate and soften stools.
Saline laxatives (magnesium citrate) have an osmotic effect and increase intra-luminal water content.
Stimulant laxatives (bisacodyl castor oil) act as contact laxatives.
Pro-kinetic agents- drugs that enhance colonic motor activity and improve propulsion of fecal matter can relieve constipation, especially if it is due to slow transit.
Cisapride has been found to be useful. Other pro-kinetic agents like metoclopramide and domperidone have no effect on the colon.

Patients with structural lesions like stricture and those with obstruction require surgery for resection of primary disease and relief of obstruction.
Surgery is the treatment of choice for patients with Hirschsprung’s disease.
Colectomy may be needed for patients with long segment involvement in Hirschsprung’s disease.
Patients with debilitating symptoms which do not respond to conservative management require surgery.

October 4, 2009 | Filed Under Digestive Disorders

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