Easily passing 1 or 2, formed bowel movements each day.

Less than two bowel movements per week. Constipation usually results from a lack of dietary fiber.  Most patients can achieve normal bowel function by increasing their dietary fiber to 25-30 gm per day. The average person consumes 10-15 gm of fiber daily.

Comes from those parts of plants that cannot be digested by humans (roughage). Meat, fish, and dairy products do not contain fiber. The two types of fiber are:

• Soluble: Soluble fiber gains bulk in the stomach by absorbing water and works throughout the intestinal tract. Examples: oatmeal, oat bran, beans, fruits, most vegetables, psyllium, and methylcellulose.
  
  
• Insoluble: Insoluble fiber absorbs little water and adds bulk only in the colon. Examples: Whole grains, fruits, and vegetables with edible skins and seeds.

Adequate fluid intake and lubrication of the colon lining is required for fiber to work effectively.  CLICK HERE for more information on dietary fiber.

Patients should drink eight to ten, 8-oz glasses of any fluid daily.

Mucus produced by the colon acts as a lubricant. Inadequate fluid consumption can result in scant mucus, and in turn, cause hard, dry stools.   In addition to fluids, Kondremul (mineral oil), available without prescription, can be taken daily.  Because it requires about 6 to 8 hours to produce results, 1 to 2 teaspoons are typically taken at bedtime for convenience.  Mineral oil should not be taken within 2 hours of meals because of possible interference with food digestion and with absorption of nutrients and vitamins.
The best way for patients to add fiber is by increasing their diet with fiber-rich foods:

• Dried beans, peas, or other legumes
  
• Bran cereals such as All-Bran, Raisin Bran, Most
  
• Dried fruit, especially figs, apricots, dates
  
• Raspberries, blackberries, strawberries
  
• Sweet corn
  
• Whole wheat and other whole grain cereal products
  
• Broccoli
  
• Baked potatoes with the skin
  
• Plums, pears, apples (fruits with edible skins)
  
• Raisins, prunes
  
• Greens
  
• Nuts (consume sparingly due to high fat content!)
  
• Cherries
  
• Bananas
  
• Carrots
  
• Coconut (see Nuts!)
  
• Brussels sprouts

• Metamucil, Hydrocil, Konsyl, Fibercon, etc., are made from ground psyllium. 
  Citrucal is made from methylcellulose. Take these as directed on the labels.
  
• Fiber Supplement Recipe:  

                   1 cup unprocessed Miller's bran (Hodgson Mill)
                   1 cup applesauce
                   ¼ cup prune juice
                   Mix all ingredients, store in an air-tight container, and refrigerate.
                   Eat 1 to 2 Tbsp/day, and increase weekly (up to 6 Tbsp/day) until stools 
                        are soft and formed. Drink 8 ounces of water after eating the formula 
                        to prevent bowel obstruction.

• Fiber not only maintains bowel health, but has also been shown to help prevent cancer, 
  diabetes, heart disease, and obesity.
  
  
• Increasing dietary fiber is a lifelong commitment, a true lifestyle change.
  
  
• Learning to change one's eating habits takes deliberate effort over many months.
  
  

Increase fiber gradually (over 3 weeks) to avoid bloating, diarrhea, gas, and general
discomfort.  CLICK HERE for more information on dietary sources of fiber.

Gynecology and Fertility Clinic
Aston Ambulatory Care Building
5303 Harry Hines Blvd., Fifth Floor, Room U5.104
Dallas, Texas 75390-8865
For a complete list of phone numbers CLICK HERE

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