What is the best way to treat constipation?

My child is mentally challenged and always had a problem with constipation to the point of impaction on several occasions. It was eventually resolved while in a nursing home. Now that he is at home, the meds, colace and dulcolax?, aren't working. I hate to do it, but I think I may need to resort to giving him an enema. This was always traumatic for him, but I don't know what else to do. I can't let this go on it only gets worse. What is the best enema to give and how do I do this now that he's an adult?

One of the biggest causes of conspitation in the mentally impaired or elderly is dehydration. They may not realize or remember to drink constantly. The feces gets stuck because there is not enough lubrication so it makes it difficult to pass the stool. Encourage him to drink a glass of water or juice at least every hour. Avoid drinks with caffeine. Grapes, raisins, prunes, flax and bran are great to add to a diet to help promote regular, soft bowel movements.

To rid the bowel movement that may be lodged inside, it is much less invasive to give a suppository (instead of an enema). This is a small pill that you insert in the anus (make SURE you lubricate your fingers and that you are gloved). The enema is more invasive and causes more discomfort. As a personal support worker in a nursing home, we always try to give suppositories before an enema.

I really don't think there is a particular enema I would recommend, they are pretty much all the same. Same goes for suppositories.

I definetely recommend increasing his fluid intake, and try hard to give flax and bran with cereal. You can even bake all sorts of goods (cookies, muffins, bread) with flax seed and bran. Best wishes!

What can you do for extremely severe constipation?

If it's stuck and you can't go no matter how hard you try, what can you do. All the foods they recommend could help prevent a problem, but they don't seem to fix the problem if you already have it. Will you eventually die? Is it life threatening if it's stuck. If you already eat all fruits and vegetables and exercise daily, what would cause terrible constipation? How do you treat it?

There are several medical problems that can cause constipation, but it can also be a problem of your digestive system. Its best to get a full exam from your doctor. If you can pass gas then eventually you will move your bowels. If you cant then you have a bowel blockage and yes that can be life threatening, but the pain that you have from it will have you running to the ER for answers instead of your computer. There are many things that you can buy over the counter for constipation. You can always go to your local pharmacy and ask them whats best to get depending on your age and situation. The most effective way to relief constipation is giving yourself an enema. Best of luck to you!!

Colonics-benefit Or Harm

Colonics, also known as colon hydrotherapy or colonic irrigation, involve the use of warm, sterile water which is inserted into the rectum through a flexible tube in order to wash out waste products from the colon, the final section of the intestines.

A colonic is simply a large enema designed to cleanse the whole colon from waste products, including stored fecal matter, gas, mucus and other toxins.

Colonics are in vogue as an alternative therapy treatment but have had their share of opponents who do not advocate its use.

However there are strong advocates of the usefulness of colonics and those advocates of colonics believe that when administered utilizing sterile equipment they can be useful to rid the body of toxins built up in the colon and to restore the normal muscle activity of the colon.

The process of a colonic is not meant to be painful but there are many who feel it is indeed uncomfortable, costly and not to mention embarrassing.

During the high colonic procedure, which typically takes about thirty to sixty minutes, a small tube is inserted into the rectum, some clinics suggest interesting the tube up to twenty inches. This tube is then connected to a plastic hose and the hose is then connected to a colonic irrigation machine.

Purified water is allowed to flow through the hose and tubing to flush out all five feet of the colon. The infusion of water causes the muscles that line the colon to contract and expand rhythmically forcing out fecal matter, gas, and mucus through an evacuation tube that leads back to the machine.

Herbs and extracts or coffee can be added to the water to improve the efficiency of the procedure. After the first infusion of water has been expelled, the procedure is repeated until twenty to thirty gallons of water have been flushed through the bowel thoroughly washing out the colon.

Whether a colonic is for you or not is a decision only you can make.

There are many anecdotal stories the both support and negate colonics.

Only you can make the decision that is right for you. It is important to remember that currently there is no evidence that exists to support the use of colon therapy, and treatment can cause infection and mineral and electrolyte imbalances that can be dangerous.