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.

Diet for Constipation

• 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.

Behavioral Modification

• 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• Once post-prandial defecation occurs on regular basis, then drug therapy is gradually withdrawn.

Therapy for Constipation

• 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.

Surgery for Constipation

• 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.

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