Constipation
How to Improve Digestive Health with a Poop Tran…
How do you feel about poop? Most people prefer not to talk about it. That's why we have so many euphemisms: number two, stool, feces, manure, crap or BM for bowel movement. No wonder you probably neve…
Are Laxatives in Hospitals Sending Money Down th…
Constipation is common among hospitalized patients. A new study suggests, however, that the most common use of laxatives in hospitals might be a big waste of time and money. A Study of Laxatives in H…
How to Overcome Drug-Induced Constipation
Far too many medications can slow the digestive tract and contribute to infrequent bowel movements or hard stool that may be painful to pass. How can a person overcome this type of drug-induced const…
How to Ease Joint Pain Without Suffering Constip…
Easing joint pain due to arthritis has been a concern for so long that there are scores, if not hundreds, of home remedies to take care of the problem. Just as with the response to pain-relieving medi…
What Can I Do About Plopping Poop Toilet Water S…
Q. Please help! When I have a bowel movement it is not unusual for me to experience a plop and then feel the water in the toilet bowl splash back up on my bottom. I cannot begin to tell you how annoyi…
Prunes and Prune Juice Overcame Constipation
Of all the common health complaints that trouble people, constipation may be one of the most common. Infrequent or difficult defecation can be a symptom of numerous underlying causes: low fiber intake…
Probiotics Solved Problem of Bowel Movements Tha…
We have heard from a number of mothers whose children suffer embarrassment because their bowel movements are so large they clog the toilet. It always makes sense to check in with the pediatrician and …
Common-Sense Approaches to Constipation
Many people suffer with digestive tract problems, but because they can be embarrassing to discuss, it sometimes seems that each generation has to discover for itself the common-sense approaches to con…
Stepstool Aids in Achieving Proper Pooping Postu…
Flush toilets are a marvelous invention and proper sewage treatment is a huge factor in public health. As a result, we are big fans of modern plumbing. But as people evolved, they used squatting rathe…
People Get Testy About Pooping Posture
A few months ago we wrote about toilet posture and the value of squatting. Here is a link to the article titled "Are You Pooping the Wrong Way?" We posed the question, "Have toilets contributed to GI …
Tasty Way to Combat Toddler’s Constipation
Q. We read a letter from a grandmother concerned about her toddler grandson with chronic constipation. Our grandson had the same problem, but we started giving him Metamucil cookies and he had no more…
Is Popular MiraLAX Laxative Too Risky for Kids?
One of the most widely used over the counter medicines for constipation has never been approved for use by children. Nonetheless, doctors often suggest it and parents often administer it to constipate…
Are Regular Enemas a Good Solution for Chronic C…
Q. What is the best enema solution? My wife thinks an enema is essential for good health, even though I think this practice is ridiculous. A. Enemas are used for serious constipation and are not neces…
Home Remedies to Combat Frustrating Drug-Induced…
Q. I take meds to control my high blood pressure (verapamil and clonidine), cholesterol (atorvastatin) and pain (tramadol). This causes major constipation, which I suspect is related to the drugs. Are…
Peppermint Oil for Digestive Woes (IBS) vs. Side…
Q. I've heard that taking enteric-coated peppermint oil can help IBS. My worst symptoms are stomach cramps and flatulence, but I'm reluctant to eat out or travel. Some of my friendships have suffered.…
Constipation Is a Common Complication of Pain Me…
Narcotic medications can be essential for managing severe pain, but they also can cause quite serious constipation that is difficult to control with everyday remedies or laxatives. Sometimes the const…
Papaya Enzyme for Better Digestion Cools Hot Fla…
Q. My wife and I have found that papaya enzyme is a quick solution for heartburn and upset stomach and calms the effects of niacin. I have been in a heart study for the past 13 years. I started with f…
Magnesium Supplement Can Activate a Sluggish Bow…
Millions of people around the world suffer from daily constipation. That is why laxatives are so popular. We generally discourage regular use of harsh (stimulant) laxatives and prefer a more natural a…
Don’t Fall in Love with Laxatives
Why are people so interested in their bowels? Most folks don't obsess about their livers, lungs or kidneys. But ask any gastroenterologist and you will learn that people are fascinated with what ends …
How to Combat Chronic Constipation
Q. I have had chronic constipation for years. It has probably contributed to my hemorrhoids. I tried magnesium, and it helped a lot for a while but I had to increase the dose to get the same effect. D…
Fluids Better Than Fiber for Fighting Constipati…
People complaining about constipation are usually advised to concentrate on fiber, fluids and exercise. A new study of nearly 11,000 adults has found, however, that fluid consumption makes much more d…
No More Enemas for Constant Constipation
Q. I absolutely abhor enemas but they are about the only thing that works for my chronic constipation. I am otherwise healthy and in great shape but sometimes I can wait over two weeks to have a bowel…
Home Remedy Reverses Chronic Constipation
Constipation is usually considered a simple problem. Just get enough fiber in your diet, drink plenty of fluids and go when you need to. But for those who are troubled with chronic constipation, the s…
Overcoming Laxative Habit
Q. I have relied on daily laxatives for more than 50 years. I am working at ways to stay healthy without taking laxatives, but it is a challenge if I want to have a regular bowel movement. What can yo…
Overcoming Constipation with Yogurt
Q. I've had 20 years of trial and error in fighting constipation. I am lean and fit and have a very healthy lifestyle. I was disappointed to see your suggestions for a constipated reader were more of …
Tips to Ease Constipation
Q. I am 23 years old and having terrible trouble with constipation. I can go for a week without a bowel movement even though I am choking down gobs of fiber. When I finally do go, it can be very painf…
Combating Chronic Constipation
Q. I've suffered from chronic constipation most of my life. My doctor prescribed Amitiza, and it has been a lifesaver. However, the medicine is now costing me hundreds of dollars a months and I can't …
Is Constipation Linked to Colon Cancer?
Q. Can constipation cause cancer? My mother is convinced that a daily bowel movement is essential for good health. She insists that constipation leads to colon cancer. I worry that she is hooked on la…
Big Bowel Movements Block Toilet
Q. My 12-year-old daughter has very large bowel movements, so large, in fact, that she quite often plugs the toilet. They are hard and dry. She has no other health problems. She eats a relatively well…
Medications Contribute to Constipation
Q. I am in my 70s and like many seniors must take several medications. Mine make me constipated. I am taking MiraLax but still have bleeding hemorrhoids occasionally. Will a sitz bath help? I would ap…
Overcoming Constipation
Q. My wife has suffered from constipation for years. She usually has just one or two small bowel movements a week, with difficulty. She has tried prescription and over-the-counter medicines, including…
Constipation Treatments
Learn about constipation treatments in this video by Joe and Terry Graedon.…
Calcium Was Constipation Culprit
Q. I know the desperation some of your readers feel about constipation because I suffered the same problem for years. Those who haven't experienced this problem have no idea of its severity. I tried i…
Getting Rid Of Constipation
Q. I take more than a dozen medications for my heart and digestive tract. I know some of them cause constipation. Could you please remind me about the proportions for the mixture of applesauce, wheat …
Long-Term Laxative Addiction
Good digestive function is widely recognized as a cornerstone of good health. As a consequence, some people who have trouble with constipation may be tempted to use laxatives. If they do so repeatedly…
Special Recipe For Getting Rid of Constipation
Q. Thanks for publishing the mixture of applesauce, bran and prune juice to counteract constipation. I never knew the exact quantities required. We used it in the nursing home where I worked as a nurs…
“Power Pudding” for Constipation
Q. My husband has difficulty with his daily bowel movement. We eat dark bread and yogurt every day. He drinks milk but it does not seem to be helping the constipation. He is bloated and feels uncomfor…
Flaxseed for Constipation
Flaxseed is rich in soluble fiber. One reader has found a way to utilize this property to prevent constipation: "I purchase flaxseed in bulk at a health food store for about $1.50 per pound. I put thr…
Overcoming Constipation Is A Challenge
Judging from the popularity of laxatives, a lot of Americans think that regularity is essential for good health. But is this true or is it a myth? Although grandmothers in many countries have promoted…
Constipation Can Be Cured
Never let it be said that Americans lack compassion. So many readers responded to a letter from a woman suffering severe constipation that our mailbox was full. She said, "Unless I use a laxative, two…