Don’t let the misery of constipation drag you down. Get proactive today, so you can start feeling like yourself again.
In answer to your question, “what is a quick way to relieve constipation,” a glycerin suppository is a quick, non-invasive way to relieve a tough case of constipation in a few minutes. A senna laxative before bedtime is good for gentle, overnight relief. Healthwise, prevention is the best cure: foods that expand in the colon, along with lots of water.
Whether you’re looking for a solution because you’re miserable right now, you’ve been irregular for a few days, or you’re tired of being on-and-off, I have answers you’ll really like. If they work, I hope you’ll come back and leave me a comment. Got something that works even better? Let me know!
Rapid Constipation Relief: Glycerin Suppositories
Once constipation takes hold, it’s very difficult to make it go away. If you’re feeling miserable and are desperate to solve your constipation *now*, your best bet is a glycerin suppository.
Yes, it does go, um, there; but it may not have to go all that far up to work its magic.
The directions say it may take 15 minutes to an hour to work. As a precaution, though, you may just want to settle down on the throne for the duration.
This precaution may be for your safety, as well, if you have become constipated while recovering from a medical problem. If you’re still not all that steady on your feet, you may not be in the best shape to be sprinting for the bathroom.
Pros: they work fast, and they don’t stick in your throat or upset your stomach.
Cons: you may get an intense burning sensation when you use them. It’s sort of hard to describe, but you’ll be glad you’re sitting down. Trust me.
Pro tip: if you can wait, take a gentle, overnight laxative, like those in the next section, before bedtime. Then, use the suppository in the morning, if needed.
A Caution about Colace
There is a comment over at Drugs dot com that left an interesting warning:
The new Colace suppositories, packaged in the paper packaging don’t work for me. I am searching for a new brand. When they were wrapped in foil they melted quickly. Wrapped in paper they are much harder, and don’t melt quickly.”
Drugs dot com user
It sounds like the new packaging of the Colace caused some moisture loss. Sometimes, in an effort toward “greener” packaging, developers forget why a wrapper was designed a certain way to begin with.
Just a guess on my part, but when Colace removed the foil, they not only removed an effective moisture barrier; they also replaced it with a material that absorbs moisture. With some products, this might not be a dealbreaker, but the active ingredient in Colace is the moisture. Oops.
Overnight Relief: Senna products
Senna tablets are a natural, herbal way of solving your problem. They are great for travel, or any time you think you might need a little help. Senna is a much gentler experience than the suppository.
The pills are very little, which is important – People who are having trouble with constipation may also have trouble getting pills down, due to a dry throat. A small pill is also easier for children, for whom senna is safe (over age 2).
I like this brand (view here). They are made in the USA, and it’s so easy to put a few in my purse for travel.
Unlike many herbal products, senna is intended for occasional use, as needed. Do not take them as a daily supplement.
Regularity by Way of Regularity: foods
You can prevent constipation in a very healthy way, by taking psyllium fiber very day. The two most common forms of this are in capsules, or in a powder that you mix into water or juice.
Psyllium works very well, but I got tired of drinking it night after night, and I already take enough capsules. I decided to add some foods to my daily diet, and this has been working very well for me over the past year.
Here is what I currently take every day to prevent constipation:
- 1 teaspoon bran or wheat germ
- 1 teaspoon chia seeds
- 1 prune
- Something whole grain for breakfast
It’s not as bad as it may sound! The prune is weirdly good with my coffee, with a flavor reminiscent of Raisinettes. To get the rest of the foods on my plan, I sometimes sprinkle the bran and seeds on a bowl of Grape Nuts or oatmeal. Another good way to have them is sprinkled on a piece of whole grain toast, with peanut butter and honey (or marshmallow Fluff).
What the Experts Say
In an article reviewed by Minesh Khadri, MD, the Web MD website advises:
Drink two to four extra glasses of water a day, unless your doctor told you to limit fluids for another reason.”
Web MD
I do this by making a pot of herbal tea in my teapot every night, using a full kettle of water and just one teabag. It’s a comforting way to hydrate.
Web MD goes on to advise that you should never ignore the urge to “go.”
The doctors at GI Associates of Maryland say:
Increase fiber intake eating lots of fiber-rich foods promotes regularity. Fruits, vegetables and whole-grain breads are easy items that can be added to most diets to reach the recommended 20 to 35 grams per day. You can also try fiber supplements.”
GI Assoc. of Maryland
You can use that number to custom build dietary changes that work with your lifestyle. I find if I skip a portion of vegetables, that’s often where the trouble starts!
Resources for Further Exploration
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