Chronic constipation treatment often involves more than a simple dietary change. Although diet is important, there are a number of other treatment methods which can be used for the problem. For example, there are several prescription and over-the-counter medications that are designed to help the problem. Lifestyle changes such as bowel retraining can also be used to help prevent the problem as well as to reduce the discomfort when it does occur. Being able to manage the problem effectively is essential for someone who suffers from chronic constipation.
Altering a patient’s diet is often the first chronic constipation treatment recommended by health professionals. In some cases, eating the wrong foods may be making the problem much worse. For example, a person with regular constipation should try to eat regularly and have a large meal in the morning to reduce the size of meals during the day. Many people also find that eating a diet rich in fiber can help the problem.
Another form of chronic constipation treatment involves taking medication — either prescription or over the counter. There are surprisingly few options when it comes to strong prescription medicines, however, so it’s important for a person with chronic constipation to check whether a particular drug is right for them. Over-the-counter medicine and remedies may also be effective in some cases. Some examples include stimulant laxatives and magnesium.
Being able to relax is essential for chronic constipation treatment as it is thought that stress can make the problem worse. A person suffering from the condition will often get angry or frustrated that the problem isn’t going away which is why self treatment methods are important. These provide a way of putting the patient back in control of his or her condition. For example, bowel retraining therapy is a method of getting a person to understand his or her bowel movements and then establish a way of maximizing the chance of success.
Although chronic constipation treatment to completely solve the problem may not always be possible there are ways to help a patient deal with his or her condition. For example, cognitive behavior therapy can help to reduce stress by promoting understanding of the condition. This, in turn, can often help to reduce symptoms as well as to aid the person in coping with the problem. Hypnotherapy is also sometimes used for the same purpose.