Lemon juice – a cleansing way to encourage bowel movements is to try taking a glass of water mixed with the juice of half a lemon before bed and when you wake up. You may want to drink with a straw as you could find your teeth becoming sensitive after a regular course of lemon water.
Try a combination of oatmeal and flax meal. Flax meal is ground flax seeds, which are extremely rich in fiber and omega-3 fatty acids. You can further increase the fiber factor by stirring in some raisins. Dried fruit is very high in fiber too.
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.
Taking laxative medications: Various constipation medications may help with passing a hard stool, including: Osmotic laxatives: These laxatives draw water into the colon, which helps to soften stool. Polyethylene glycol is a first-line osmotic laxative for constipation in adults and children.
Poop that is hard and shaped like tiny rocks or pebbles is likely just a sign of constipation. You can still be considered constipated even if you are able to pass a small amount of stool. The large intestine helps to concentrate waste by absorbing water.
A fecal impaction is a large, hard mass of stool that gets stuck so badly in your colon or rectum that you can't push it out. This problem can be very severe. It can cause grave illness or even death if it's not treated. It's more common among older adults who have bowel problems.
Avoid immediately trying to push the poop out. Give your body about 5 minutes to get things going. Having reading material nearby is one way to avoid impatience and the urge to strain.
To soften impacted stool quickly, you would most likely need to take an oral laxative, use an anal suppository, or do water irrigation.
Constipation occurs when bowel movements become less frequent and stools become difficult to pass. It happens most often due to changes in diet or routine, or due to inadequate intake of fiber. You should call your doctor if you have severe pain, blood in your stools, or constipation that lasts longer than three weeks.
Eating a lot of high-fat meats, dairy products and eggs, sweets, or processed foods may cause constipation. Not enough fluids. Water and other fluids help fiber work better, so not drinking enough liquids can contribute to harder stools that are more difficult to pass.
Osmotic laxatives, including magnesium citrate and magnesium hydroxide, may produce a bowel movement in 30 minutes to 6 hours. Others may not take effect for 24–48 hours. Stimulant laxatives, such as Dulcolax and Senna, may take 6–12 hours. Stool softeners, such as Docusate, may take 24–48 hours.
Eat more fiber: Add more fresh fruits, vegetables, and fiber-rich foods into your diet. Whole-grain cereals, beans, prunes, and bran are excellent sources of fiber. These foods increase the weight of your stool, helping it pass through your intestines.
Over-the-counter stool softeners are effective for some people. However, in controlled clinical trials, there is no evidence that they improve symptoms. While they only are intended for short-term relief of constipation, using a daily stool softener long-term probably is not harmful.
Magnesium citrate is a powerful natural laxative. Magnesium citrate has been shown to be more bioavailable and better absorbed in the body than other forms of magnesium, such as magnesium oxide ( 40 ). Magnesium citrate increases the amount of water in the intestinal tract, which causes a bowel movement ( 41 ).
Press firmly into your belly and slide your hand in a circular motion up toward your ribs, across your belly, down to your left hip bone, and back across the bottom of your belly. Repeat 10 times. With your hand still in a fist, start at your left ribs and make firm circular motions.
Try yogurt with probiotics, live bacteria that's good for your digestive system. It may help relieve constipation.
Stool softeners like docusate (Colace) work by reducing the hardness of stools, which should make them easier to pass. Problem is, they won't do much if you're already constipated, since they take three of four days to kick in, he adds. But they can help treat chronic constipation.
To soften impacted stool quickly, you would most likely need to take an oral laxative, use an anal suppository, or do water irrigation.
How long do they take to work? You'll usually have a bowel movement after about 12 to 72 hours upon using a stool softener. Don't take stool softeners for more than a week at a time. If you're still having hard stools after a week of using them, contact your healthcare provider.
Slowly insert your coated finger into your rectum. Try to break up the stool in a scissoring motion. This prevents stool from being pushed inward, and makes the stool easier to remove in small pieces. Move your finger in gentle circles for about 60 seconds.
You may think that cutting back on food will help “clear out” your colon. That's not the case. Do this: Eating, especially healthy whole foods that contain fiber, helps your body move stool.
Avoid immediately trying to push the poop out. Give your body about 5 minutes to get things going. Having reading material nearby is one way to avoid impatience and the urge to strain.