Immediate treatment of constipation

Constipation is a common digestive disorder that often results from wrong health habits. There are many different ways that help in treating constipation immediately, some of which depend on daily behaviors and habits, some of which are pharmacological for chronic constipation, and some of them are quick to treat acute constipation cases immediately.

All medications that help treat constipation are available in Adam's Pharmacy. You can get them by visiting any of the pharmacy branches or ordering them online. You can also contact us and ask for a consultation from the specialized pharmacist.

What is constipation?

Constipation means that your bowel movements are difficult or occur less often than usual, or that stools are difficult to pass. Almost everyone has experienced it at some point, and it is not usually considered a serious condition.

The duration of a bowel movement varies from person to person, for some 3 times a day, for others several times a week.

 After 3 days, stools become harder and harder to defecate.

What are the symptoms of constipation?

Common symptoms of constipation are: lack of bowel movement, difficulty passing stools, hard or small stools, feeling that nothing has passed, flatulence, and you may also feel that you need help to empty your bowels, such as pressure on the abdomen.

Constipation may be considered chronic if you have had two or more of these symptoms within the past 3 months.

Why does constipation occur?

Constipation most commonly occurs when stool moves too slowly through the digestive system, or cannot be eliminated well, which can cause stools to become hard and dry. 

Some causes of constipation include:

• Changes in what you eat.
• Lack of water and fiber in the diet.
• Excessive intake of dairy products.
• Certain medications (especially strong painkillers such as antidepressants and iron pills) or antacids that contain calcium or aluminum.
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
• pregnancy.
• Nerve and muscle problems in the digestive system.
• Colon Cancer.
• Neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease or multiple sclerosis.

Treatment of constipation at home

There are various methods that can be followed that help treat constipation immediately and without the need to take medications, including: 

• Increase the intake of vegetables, such as: sweet potatoes, cabbage, broccoli, tomatoes, spinach, and carrots as well.
• Eat fruits such as: oranges, pears, and apples, and it is best to eat them as they are, without squeezing or peeling them, as this helps to maintain a high percentage of fiber.
•  One of the ways to prevent constipation is also eating a whole apple after each meal, or drinking a glass of water with a spoonful of vinegar added to it.
•  As well as apple juice has the same effect in the prevention and treatment of constipation, and eating two ripe bananas will help relieve the pain caused by constipation. .
• Commitment to exercise, especially abdominal exercises and walking on a daily basis, because of their effective role in moving the intestines and thus protecting it from laziness.
• Using a laxative oil for the abdomen in cooking food, such as olive oil, sunflower oil, and soybean oil, instead of oils and saturated fats such as: butter and ghee, these oils are effective in eliminating constipation.
•  It is best to take two or three tablespoons of these oils on an empty stomach or add them to a salad dish to increase its usefulness. A spoonful of castor oil can be added to a glass of milk and drunk before going to sleep.
• Honey is a natural laxative for the intestines, so eating a spoonful of it in the morning and evening helps in getting rid of constipation.
•  Honey can also be mixed with a glass of warm water and taken in the morning on an empty stomach.
• Coffee is rich in bitter substances, and these substances are effective in stimulating the intestines, so drinking half a cup of warm coffee activates the bowel movement and the colon to get rid of waste.
• Be sure to drink two liters of water on a daily basis, as water accelerates the excretion of unabsorbed fibres, thus eliminating constipation quickly.

Immediate treatment of constipation with herbs

There are many ways to treat constipation immediately using herbs and natural juices, including:

• Ginger is one of the examples of drinks that treat constipation, which is the first aid for the digestive system, by relieving pressure on the intestines and colon, which may Helps defecate and treat constipation immediately.
• Senna tea, which contains compounds called synosides, which stimulate bowel movement, but it is worth noting that its harms are numerous, so it should be taken under the supervision of a doctor.
• Warm lemon water, because it contains vitamin C and fiber, which helps to draw water into the intestines and colon, lemon water can also be used to treat constipation immediately in children and adults.
• Dried prune juice or dried prunes, as it contains a group of elements, such as sorbitol, magnesium and potassium, that improve bowel function.
• Apple juice contains some elements such as sorbitol, magnesium, pectin, vitamin A and vitamin C.

Medications to treat constipation

If the body does not respond immediately to the above methods of treating constipation, the patient may have to use laxatives that help soften the stool and eliminate it easily.

 include:

• laxatives
• Osmotic laxatives, which help move fluids into the intestines and colon, include lactulose and magnesium hydroxide.
• Stool softeners, which are used as a laxative for chronic constipation caused by dehydration, such as docusate sodium.
• Enemas, which soften the stool, which helps to stimulate bowel movement.
• Suppositories, the principle of their action is similar to the principle of action of enemas in the immediate treatment of constipation, an example is glycerin suppositories.

Tips to prevent constipation

After we have immediately decided on the methods of treating constipation, we list a range of daily methods and arrangements that help prevent constipation: 

• Adding fiber to the diet It is recommended to consume at least 14 grams of fiber per day for every 1,000 calories in the diet.
• Reduce sodium salts in the diet and increase potassium in foods.
• Exercise daily.
• Drink enough fluids during the day.
• Stress control.
• Refrain from holding stool as soon as you feel the urge to defecate.