PoopDoc Blog

If you are one of those chronic constipation sufferers, and now that you know this simple truth, it’s time to go over the usual fare you feast on and adjust your diet accordingly. Remember, you are what you eat. If you eat healthy, naturally, you become healthier. If you don’t, well, you get it already.

There are different compromises you can make to adjust your diet a few notches healthier in order to avoid constipation. For one, increase your fluid intake. Fruit juices or plain water are the best bet. If you have been suffering from chronic constipation, you may even go over the recommended eight glasses and you will see dramatic effects. Avoid caffeine drinks like coffee and tea. They usually cause dehydration, which in turn, causes your stool to become hard and dry.

Fiber will naturally help cleanse the gastrointestinal tract and help keep it free from blockages. However, if a blockage already exists, the fiber will help keep the center of the intestines or colon clear, but it will do little to remove the feces and waste clinging to the sides. So, while a constipation diet will help prevent blockages from forming, it is not as effective when dealing with preexisting conditions. Unfortunately for most people, including the right amount and type of fiber in the diet is only thought of after the problem exists. But, a diet rich in fiber will definitely reduce the symptoms and give you constipation relief.

Fiber supplements are a good idea in any constipation diet but including natural sources is definitely beneficial as well. Cereals and whole grain breads are great sources of fiber in any constipation diet.

It isn’t like we all haven’t had some difficulty with a bowel movement here and there. Whether it is because we are taking a new medication or just didn’t drink enough water for a couple of days, the truth is that mild constipation is inevitable. Having short term constipation may not be fun, but it is at least bearable in small doses. However, when severe constipation strikes it can literally make our lives a living nightmare.

Severe constipation symptoms
One of the signs of severe constipation is abdominal pains, not just when you are having a bowel movement or trying to, but also when you are not. The abdominal pains felt during severe constipation are caused by pressure being exerted on the abdomen. The pressure is created by feces that are collecting behind a blockage, otherwise known as a fecal impaction.

Here is a checklist of materials you will need to administer a enema and also the proper way to self administer enemas to get relief for constipation.

- Enema bag from the pharmacy
- Davol colon tube, a stretchy rubber tube that you will attach to the plastic enema tip
- Enema soap, preferable Castile since this is used by most hospitals for enema solutions
- Lubricant like vaseline, Ky Jelly or a cold cream
- A hook or hanger for hanging the enema bag
- An old bath towel, blanket or adult pads for possible leakage

To prepare the enema soapsuds solution, put all the contents of the Castile soap in the enema bag. Fill the bag with adequate amount of water to your liking. The temperature of the water should be slightly above your body temperature.

To set up the area where you will be giving yourself an enema, first, place the hook or hanger 18-24 inches above your rectum. Position the blanket, bath towel or pad where you will be lying down. Close the shutoff clamp and be sure that you can reach it when you’re about to do the enema.

The best method is to use an oral colon cleanse that will make sure to clean out your entire digestive system of any waste material that may be backed up. Once you cleanse colon waste out, and have a clean running system, you can more easily assess what foods you are consuming are doing to your body.

Now it’s time to figure out which foods are causing you to look for constipation relief.

To do this you’re going to need to keep a diary. First jot down when you have the colon cleanse. After all, you want to know when you were able to cleanse colon waste out and start fresh. Now you need to take note of every meal you have and everything you eat. Pay attention to how your body reacts. Make note of the first time you have constipation.