what is a natural way to fix painful constipation?

my dear friend suffers terribly from constipation. I imagine it's from the medication he has to take. Considering that not taking the medication at this point is simply not an option, and he's stuck eating hospital food – what is a natural way he can cure his constipation? it breaks my heart to hear that he's up till 3am in horrible pain! he's the sweetest guy – can anyone help?

High fiber foods can help a lot. Soluble fiber from fruit and veg will help the most in terms of stool softening. But insoluble fiber, like that from whole grains will also help.

Although I always recommend foods first and foremost constipation from medication is probably going to require a little more. Something like a high fiber drink (benefiber is the best as it has the most soluble, or metamucil if you can get that). The hospital may even supply this.

One thing to remember about fiber is you also need water! Fiber works as it is not digested and it attracts water into the bowel. This makes you stools softer, easier to pass and quicker (as they are more bulky so you push them through faster). But you need to be drinking water too. Not excessive, but about 1-2L per day.

Lactose can help as it works the same way as fiber, attracting water into the bowel. But it can cause bloating and flatulence as the undigested lactose (a sugar) is fermented by the colonic bacteria.