Insoluble fiber is the most beneficial for softening stools. It does not dissolve in water and helps food pass more quickly from the stomach to the intestines. Wholewheat flour, nuts, beans, and vegetables, such as cauliflower, green beans, and potatoes all contain insoluble fiber.
A warm mineral oil enema is often used to soften and lubricate the stool. However, enemas alone are not enough to remove a large, hardened impaction in most cases. The mass may have to be broken up by hand.
Don't Force Poop Out
When you're feeling constipated, you may be compelled to “force” your stools out. However, this can cause you to strain the architecture of your pelvic floor, including blood vessels, nerves and muscles, which can cause hemorrhoids and have a damaging effect on your long-term bowel habits.
Water, clear soups, fruit juice without added sugar, herbal teas, and other drinks can help relieve constipation. Hydration is essential for keeping the stool soft. Juices can also contain dietary fiber, sorbitol, or other nutrients that support digestive health.
Eating When you Have Constipation. Try these things to relieve your constipation: Do not skip meals. Avoid processed or fast foods, such as white breads, pastries, doughnuts, sausage, fast-food burgers, potato chips, and French fries.
Your stools get hard and dry when your colon absorbs too much water. Constipation symptoms can include stomach cramps and feeling tired. Constipation can cause other health problems, such as hemorrhoids (red, swollen veins in the rectum). Making diet and lifestyle changes can reduce constipation symptoms.
Dairy Products
“On the opposite end of the spectrum, fermented dairy products such as yogurt or kefir can improve gut health and may decrease the likelihood of constipation,” she notes.
Stimulant laxatives, such as Dulcolax and Senna, may take 6–12 hours. Stool softeners, such as Docusate, may take 24–48 hours. Fiber-based laxatives, including Fibercon and Metamucil, can take 12–72 hours.
Treatment may include: Diet modifications. A diet with 20 to 35 grams of fiber daily helps in the formation of soft, bulky stool. While adding foods such as beans, whole grains, bran cereals, fresh fruits and vegetables is helpful in adding fiber to the diet.
Olive oil – consuming a teaspoon of olive oil in the morning on an empty stomach can encourage stool to flow through the gut. The oil acts as a lubricant in the digestive system, meaning it's easier for solids to slide through. It also softens up the stool, making it easier to empty your bowels completely.
The normal length of time between bowel movements varies widely from person to person. Some people have them three times a day. Others have them just a few times a week. Going longer than 3 or more days without one, though, is usually too long.
Constipation from functional outlet obstruction
One type of constipation involves difficulty pushing the stool out. Your pelvic muscles have trouble coordinating the muscles movements, resulting in a functional outlet obstruction. This is also called dyssynergic defecation or pelvic floor dyssynergia.
Fruits contain water, sorbitol, fructose, fiber, and phytochemicals. Fruits thought to be useful for treating constipation are pear, grape, plump, and apple with peel, which are rich in fiber. Here, some fruits available in Korea will be considered, including green kiwifruit, prune (plum), banana, and persimmon.
Milk. While consuming too many dairy products actually leads to constipation, it can also help relieve it. Consider drinking one cup of warm milk to enhance bowel movement. You can also add clarified butter to it to make it more effective in providing immediate constipation relief.