Prvention is better than cure !

There are so many causes of constipation ,most common is ameobiosys . Plenty

of water along with Fibrous food with certain exercise like streching of lower abdomen ( morning -20 & evening - 20 times ) may be tried.

A reasonable fluid intake (6 - 8 cups per day) and soluble and insoluble fibre in the diet. This link helps to explain the terms:

https://www.nutrition.org.uk/healthyliving/basics/fibre.html

When there hasn't been a lot of fibre in an individual's food intake, it should be added gradually.

Dear Dr Mary C R Wilson , Thank you so much for your advice and the useful link.

The problem with me is that, due to previous weight loss and regain experience, I have a very high tendency of developing into morbid obesity, and have to adopt the Luigi Cornaro diet of eat-but-little. My food consumption is just a few hundred grams a day, any exceed to this amount will result in rapid weight gain. Because of this, the digestion of food in my GIT is very slow, which causes constipation.

So, your advice is really very useful for me. Thank you!

Best regards

Dear Dr Ligen Yu,

I was wondering whether exercise might be helpful among other forms of treatment; this is a link that I saw (not very academic):

https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/exercise-curing-constipation-via-movement

But as you have other health problems, I would think it would be something that you should discuss with your healthcare professional who is familiar with your case. Have you tried any form of laxative? There are different types for different indications, but some do increase the transit time within the gut.

I saw this paper on ResearchGate but haven't seen the full text (but requested it):

Article A practical approach to diagnosis and management of function...

I do hope you find a satisfactory answer to this. I think you are doing well to keep your weight down; it can't be easy for you.

Very best wishes,

Mary

Dear Dr Mary C R Wilson , Thank again for your kind advice.

Yes, moderate exercise like walking does help to alleviate the symptom.

I'm not in favor of using any medicine to treat any medical conditions. All medicines are foreign to our body, and may do more harm than good to our body. I have the faith that diet and lifestyle change is sufficient to deal with any medical conditions.

Thank you for recommending the RG article on constipation. I have got the full-length paper from Web of Science.

And with all these knowledge, I'm quite optimistic that I can find an satisfactory answer to this.

Best regards

Ligen

According to an Editorial comment on The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Constipation affects one in seven adults and one in three children, and the treatment of constipation costs the English National Health Service (NHS) £162 million in 2017–18:

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/langas/article/PIIS2468-1253(19)30297-3/fulltext

Dear Nour Shakir

According to the Rome IV criteria for constipation, a patient must have experienced at least two of the following symptoms over the preceding three months:

• Fewer than three spontaneous bowel movements per week
• Straining for more than 25% of defecation attempts
• Lumpy or hard stools for at least 25% of defecation attempts
• Sensation of anorectal obstruction or blockage for at least 25% of defecation attempts
• Sensation of incomplete defecation for at least 25% of defecation attempts
• Manual maneuvering required to defecate for at least 25% of defecation attempts

But I find that if I don't have bowel movement within 24 hours, I have already had constipation.

So my solution for this problem is, don't wait for the spontaneous bowel movements, try to have two or more bowel movements within one day, one in the early morning when I just get up, the other one in the later afternoon to evening. No matter how long time it takes (normally half an hour to one hour in the toilet), try to have defecation. Although it is a hard work, it is much better than have constipation. Other preventive measures are: eating a lot of fruits, and moderate exercises like walking, as suggested by Dr Mary C R Wilson in our earlier discussion.

Green kiwifruit twice a day demonstrated to improve chronic constipation as well as constipation predominant IBS after 4 weeks treatment!

Dear Caterina:

Thank you for your suggestion!

The exercises in this book work on the abdomen. "Immortal Fang's Longevity Qigong: Rubbing the Abdomen to Prevent Illness and Prolong Life

Franklin Fick"

Also eat a salad of raw carrot every day with a little vinegar and olive oil mixed in.

Dear Leonie Draper,

Thank you very much for your suggestions and your contribution to the discussion!

Prvention is better than cure !

There are so many causes of constipation ,most common is ameobiosys . Plenty

of water along with Fibrous food with certain exercise like streching of lower abdomen ( morning -20 & evening - 20 times ) may be tried.

Dear Dr Jaydip Datta , thank you for your contribution to the discussion!

Intermittent fasting

Drink a lot of water.

Dear Neelu and Lalit, thank you for your valuable contribution to the discussion!

Constipation can be prevented by taking high fiber foods, drinking adequate water and regular exercise.

Dear Dr Arvind Singh , thank you very much for your participation and your valuable suggestions!

Dear Navaraj Upadhyaya , thank you for your contribution to the discussion!

Guava consumption prevent constipation as it is an excellent source of dietary fiber.

Eating more fruits and vegetables.

Dear Dr Arvind Singh , thank you again for your valuable suggestion!

Dear Prof Reza Biria , thank you for your valuable suggestion!

Dear Ligen Yu , in your description the term "when we grow up" drew up my attention and would like to state few imp points which may not be relieved only by prescribed diet and exercise those mentioned above by the valued scientists. Causes of constipation in older adults maybe:

• Endocrine causes: hormonal changes, hypothyroidism, diabetes, hyperparathyroidism
• Gastrointestinal disorders: diverticulosis, Hirschsprung disease, irritable bowel syndrome, megacolon, pelvic floor dysfunction, rectoceles, strictures
• Metabolic causes: hypercalcemia, hypocalcemia, hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, hypopituitarism, panhypopituitarism, uremia
• Neurologic causes: autonomic neuropathy, dementia, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophies, pain secondary to anal fissures or hemorrhoids, Parkinson disease, spinal cord lesions, stroke
• Psychological causes: anxiety, depression, eating disorders
• Cancer or cancer-related causes: colorectal cancer, dehydration, intestinal radiation, tumour compression of large intestine
• Other causes: older age, chronic kidney disease, pregnancy, systemic sclerosis, sexual abuse, lack of privacy or time

You may please go through this valuable article to have better understanding. Regards- Rabiul.

Ligen Yu hello,

Many physicians believe that it is normal to defecate twice every 24h (once -early morning, and once - late afternoon), reflective of the two big bowel movements a human normally has.

You cannot prevent constipation, as constipation is a signal your body gives you that something is anatomically or physiologically wrong with it. To get rid of it, you must root out the cause(s).

Digestion is subject to the complex relationship between genetics, the enteric nervous system, and the gastrointestinal microbiota.

If any one of these three elements goes astray - constipation, I am afraid, is the least that could happen to you.

I would advise that you check your plasma leptin levels, blood sugar and immune system (serum level of pro-inflammatory cytokines) first, than - establish your intestinal microbiota profile (via a stool sample), and, only after - think about diets.

:)

Dear Dr Md Rabiul Alam and Prof Valeria Tananska , thank you very much for your valuable suggestions. I really appreciate it.

I have the eating disorder of anorexia nervosa/morbid obesity, that's why I have to adopt the anorexic Luigi Cornaro diet of eat-but-little. And I think my problem of constipation is a result of my eating disorder. I agree that it is not normal to defecate twice every 24h for a normal person. However, it is a practical solution for me:)

I don't have anyother health issue with me:)

Ligen Yu hello,

Yes, I understand that there are some issues.

Have you been officially diagnosed with the described conditions?

Also, for our own peace of mind and longevity, perhaps it is a good idea to trust Western medicine from time to time. It is not all bad. It means well.

It does not hurt to check for other issues.

With good wishes :)

Dear Prof Valeria Tananska, thank you very much again for your wishful concern. I have regular health checks, the results are within my expectation. For anorexia nervosa/morbid obesity, I only have self-awareness. Currently I don't think Western medicine has a better solution than the Luigi Cornaro diet for anorexia nervosa/morbid obesity:)

You should drink adequate amounts of water. Six to eight glasses a day is a good rule. Also, get sufficient fiber by eating:

• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Grains
• and regular exercise

Oat porridge is the best to relieve constipation; use of dates (khajoor) improve peristalsis and helps in relieving constipation. Use of vegetable salad with meals and fresh fruits are another options to have good bowel movements.....

Dear Nazia Asad and Prof Gamal Abdul Hamid , thank you very much for your valuable sugeestions. I really appreciate these suggestions.

Please also take a look at this useful RG link.

Article Assessment and management of constipation in older people

Dear Dr Arvind Singh , thank you very much for the useful link!

Constipation is a common condition that affects people of all ages.The condition affects twice as many women as men and is also more common in older adults and during pregnancy.

constipation can be caused by the slow passage of digesting food through any part of the digestive system, where the colon absorbs too much water.

There are many causes that lead to constipation, including a lack of fiber in the diet, a lack of fluids, and physical inactivity. Older people tend to have a more sedentary life than young people and are therefore more prone to constipation. Physically active people are less likely to be constipated. To prevent constipation, it is recommended to increase your daily intake of fiber, be sure to drink plenty of fluids, and exercise a lot.

Hi,

Constipation majorly occurs due to the lack of water absorption by the intestines. People who suffer from constipation must themselves figure out the foods, which wouldn't suit them. Similarly, they should bring in physical activity to their regime. Laxatives, or stimulants should not be used for prolonged durations. Foods, which function as stool relaxants must be consumed.

I hope this is helpful too:

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4059-constipation/prevention

Drinking water

Eat fruits and vegetables

Eat whole grains with a high fiber content

Exercise

Walking, fiber-rich foods and plenty of fluids to drink.

Drinking enough water and a balanced diet including vegetables, fruits, and fiber-rich whole grains may help to control constipation...

Yes, walking is also good after dinner...

Foods with high fiber content, adequate water, proper sleep and following a regular routine of food can prevent constipation.

With the morbid obesity you are suffering from, associated type 2 diabetes is highly likely. Diabetes is known to cause constipation either directly or indirectly. Therefore, I suggest you check your blood sugar status; if you are non-diabetic, prevention of diabetes will prevent the associated constipation and if already diabetic, good blood glucose and insulin control can also prevent the negative effects of diabetes in bowel movement.

Dear Dr @Saud Mohammed,

Thank you very much for your suggestions. I am now having anorexia nervosa instead of morbid obesity (these two have the same aetiology, need restrictive eating, and can cause constipation).

Dear all, thank you very much for your contributions to this discussion!

Drinking more fluid and food with high fiber content