Many Americans have difficulty with “regularity.” They may pass stool infrequently or they may find their stool is hard and painful to pass. People are eager to find ways to combat chronic constipation. One reader has settled on a daily dose of Epsom salts.
Is It Safe to Use Epsom Salts to Combat Chronic Constipation?
Q. For a few years, I’ve been stirring 1/2 to one teaspoon a day of MgSO4 (aka Epsom salts) into my morning orange juice. I’m very satisfied with its effect on my chronic constipation.
However, there’s a caveat. As it can work very suddenly, I have to stay in the vicinity of my bathroom till it’s done its job.
Are there any long-term side effects of using Epsom salts as a daily laxative?
A. Epsom salts can be effective as a laxative for occasional use. The packaging warns that if you need this or any laxative for more than a week you should see your doctor about your problem.
Downside of Epsom Salts to Combat Chronic Constipation:
People with reduced kidney function should not take Epsom salts or any other magnesium-based laxatives. Too much magnesium can put a strain on impaired kidneys.
On the other hand, a diet high in phosphorus and low in magnesium (as many American diets are) may harm the kidneys (Nephrology, Dialysis, Transplantation, online Dec. 7, 2018). Processed foods and bottled beverages provide a lot of dietary phosphorus.
Please discuss your chronic constipation with your health care providers. They may identify a medication or even a supplement that is responsible for this situation. If they can find an adequate substitute, switching would be preferable to using a laxative every day. Alternatively, they may discover another condition causing constipation. An intestinal blockage is a serious situation that might require emergency treatment.
Other Ways to Combat Chronic Constipation:
The primary and best way to combat chronic constipation, according to many experts, is to incorporate an increasing amount of natural fiber in the diet. For example, Dr. Robynne Chutkan recommends eating rather than tossing the stems from broccoli, cauliflower, chard and other vegetables. Additionally, such green leafy vegetables are also great natural sources of magnesium. Another reader found that eating a cucumber every day was an easy natural fix for constipation. When necessary, you may wish to try a combination of unprocessed bran, applesauce and prune juice known as Power Pudding.
In addition, you may benefit from eating fermented foods containing natural probiotics. Consider sauerkraut, pickled cucumbers and kimchi as well as live-culture yogurt or kefir. The friendly bacteria growing in them may encourage your own gut bacteria to flourish, and that is the best way to combat chronic constipation.
Learn More:
You may wish to listen to our interview with Dr. Chutkan. It is Show 1115: How You Can Conquer Constipation. We also spoke with Dr. Chutkan for Show 1078: How to Have Good Digestion Without Heartburn Drugs.
In addition, you might also want to read our free Guide to Constipation. It contains our ten tips to combat chronic constipation along with a wonderful pumpkin-bran muffin recipe. In summary, you may be able to find a better way to manage your constipation than by taking Epsom salts every day.
