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. Do you have any suggestions as to what I can do? The doctors have only offered laxatives that are habit forming. I desperately need help.
A. The usual recommendation for avoiding constipation is to increasing fiber. Recent research, however, shows that fluid intake may be much more important (American Journal of Gastroenterology, May, 2013).
You might also benefit from chewing sugarless gum. Non-sugar sweeteners such as maltitol, sorbitol or xylitol attract water within the intestines. This helps to soften the stool.
We are sending you our Guides to Constipation and Digestive Disorders with our ten tips to combat constipation.
You may find the recipe for Power Pudding, with wheat bran, applesauce and prune juice, is especially helpful.
We recently spoke with Dr. Nicholas Shaheen, professor of medicine and epidemiology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine and the UNC Gillings School of Public Health. He directs the Center for Esophageal Diseases and Swallowing. Dr. Shaheen suggests that constipation may sometimes be more complicated than it seems. You can listen to him on the topic.
