Constipation is a very common complaint and almost everyone will suffer from it at one time or another.
Epidemiological surveys done in the United States found that more than 4 million Americans suffer from frequent constipation In addition, patients make about 2 million visits per year to the doctor for this problem.
It is more common in women than in men.
The causes of constipation can be quite varied.
However, a diet of low fiber foods is a common cause.
People that are prone to constipation should limit foods that are low in fiber to avoid constipation.
This condition is defined as having less than 3 bowel movements a week.
Infrequent bowel movements can produced dry hard stools that make bowel elimination extremely painful.
Fiber plays a pivotal role in the prevention and treatment of constipation.
Eating a high fiber diet is the best way to avoid constipation..
Fiber refers to the part of plants or other carbohydrates that cannot be digested.
These fibers are not all the same.
Some of them are soluble, they dissolve in water and become like a soft get in the intestines.
This enables the stool to remain soft.
The other type which is insoluble It passes almost unchanged through the intestines and help add bulk to the stool to increase transit time, Here is a partial list of high fiber foods:
Include some fiber at every meal.
For instance, a high fiber cereal and fruit at breakfast, a vegetable pea or lentil soup at lunch and some vegetables at dinner time.
Set a goal for about five servings of fruit and vegetables daily.
Increase fluid intake to 8 glasses, green tea counts but not coffee.
This type of routine has been quite effective in preventing constipation.
The daily recommended fiber intake for men is 30 - 38 grams a day and the recommended intake for women is 21-25 grams.
Although it is always better to get the suggested amount from food, there may be those who are unable to meet their daily fiber requirement with food intake.
In that case, fiber supplements can be a good alternative.
These supplements form bulk in the intestines to prevent constipation.
However increasing fluid is even more important while taking bulking agents.
Ironically, fiber supplements themselves can cause constipation if fluid intake is inadequate.
Constipation can usually be avoided by following a high fiber diet.
However there may be instances where constipation becomes severe and is not resolved by a change in diet.
Because extreme constipation can sometimes be caused by a medical condition, persons with unresolved constipation should see their doctor.
Epidemiological surveys done in the United States found that more than 4 million Americans suffer from frequent constipation In addition, patients make about 2 million visits per year to the doctor for this problem.
It is more common in women than in men.
The causes of constipation can be quite varied.
However, a diet of low fiber foods is a common cause.
People that are prone to constipation should limit foods that are low in fiber to avoid constipation.
This condition is defined as having less than 3 bowel movements a week.
Infrequent bowel movements can produced dry hard stools that make bowel elimination extremely painful.
Fiber plays a pivotal role in the prevention and treatment of constipation.
Eating a high fiber diet is the best way to avoid constipation..
Fiber refers to the part of plants or other carbohydrates that cannot be digested.
These fibers are not all the same.
Some of them are soluble, they dissolve in water and become like a soft get in the intestines.
This enables the stool to remain soft.
The other type which is insoluble It passes almost unchanged through the intestines and help add bulk to the stool to increase transit time, Here is a partial list of high fiber foods:
- Apples, apricots, bananas, oranges, pears, dates
- Prunes, pears, peaches, legumes, broccoli, carrots
- Kidney beans, soy beans, flax seed, beets, peas and potatoes.
- Wheat bran, oat bran, wheat germ, bran flakes, rye bread, pop corn
- Whole grain bread, cereals, prunes, mangos, papayas
Include some fiber at every meal.
For instance, a high fiber cereal and fruit at breakfast, a vegetable pea or lentil soup at lunch and some vegetables at dinner time.
Set a goal for about five servings of fruit and vegetables daily.
Increase fluid intake to 8 glasses, green tea counts but not coffee.
This type of routine has been quite effective in preventing constipation.
The daily recommended fiber intake for men is 30 - 38 grams a day and the recommended intake for women is 21-25 grams.
Although it is always better to get the suggested amount from food, there may be those who are unable to meet their daily fiber requirement with food intake.
In that case, fiber supplements can be a good alternative.
These supplements form bulk in the intestines to prevent constipation.
However increasing fluid is even more important while taking bulking agents.
Ironically, fiber supplements themselves can cause constipation if fluid intake is inadequate.
Constipation can usually be avoided by following a high fiber diet.
However there may be instances where constipation becomes severe and is not resolved by a change in diet.
Because extreme constipation can sometimes be caused by a medical condition, persons with unresolved constipation should see their doctor.