It is natural to experience challenges with your bowel movements, especially after consuming certain foods. But when it becomes painful or uncomfortable, it could be a sign of an underlying medical condition. It is essential to seek an expert diagnosis from medical specialists like the constipation San Antonio specialists before taking action. Your doctor will guide you on what to do based on the diagnosis results. You might have to make some dietary changes to improve your symptoms and prevent the situation in the future. Here is what you can do.
1. Consume Plenty of Water
Everyone should drink at least eight glasses of fluids minus caffeinated drinks every day when experiencing constipation symptoms. Understand that dehydration is the most common reason behind constipation and can worsen your symptoms if you continue taking little water. Once you feel better and have your regular bowel movements comfortably, keep on drinking lots of water since it is suitable for your general wellbeing. Ensure you take fluids even when you do not feel thirsty.
2. Get More Fiber
It is crucial to increase your fiber intake on the move to promote healthy bowel movements. Generally, it would help if you consumed about 20-30grams of fiber every day to minimize the chances of constipation. However, it is essential to work your way up the amount to decrease your chances of bloating and gas. Also, you must get fiber from different sources like fruits, bread and grains, beans, and vegetables.
3. Keep Off Milk
Milk and other dairy products can make your constipation symptoms worse. Therefore, it could be helpful to skip the products for a few days until your bowel movements improve. You could be experiencing constipation due to issues in digesting lactose which can also cause gas. But you can still enjoy hard cheese and plain probiotic yogurt.
4. Be Aware of the Contributors to Constipation
You might have realized that your bowel movements become difficult or painful when consuming certain foods. Certain foods like eggs, rich sugar desserts, processed foods, and high-fat meats are only good in moderation. When taken in plenty, they could lead to constipation or worsen your existing symptoms.
5. Consider Taking Supplements
Although more research is being conducted to understand the supplements that can help alleviate constipation symptoms, many medical specialists and patients have reported that magnesium supplements are helpful. They are believed to be osmotic laxatives that can relax your bowel movements and bring water to your intestines. But the supplements should be taken in modulation. Adults should take not more than 350 mg, and children aged four to eight should take 110 mg. but magnesium is dangerous if you have a kidney disorder.
6. Cautiously Consider Home Remedies
In most cases, constipation symptoms are improved with changes in food and drink intake, and dietary supplements and home remedies are often unnecessary. However, home remedies like castor oil and mineral oil effectively improve constipation symptoms. However, such should only be used as a last resort since overuse can cause damage to your intestine or lead to vitamin deficiency.
If you are suffering from constipation symptoms, help is readily available. Contact the constipation specialists at Digestive and Liver Disease Center of San Antonio PLLC for expert diagnosis and treatment. You can also book your consultation appointment using the online platform.