Dietary changes, such as increasing water and probiotic intake (i.e. yogurt or supplements) while limiting dairy, caffeine, and heavily processed foods may be an effective treatment for lazy bowel syndrome and chronic constipation.
Fiber is the laxative most doctors recommend for normal and slow-transit constipation. Abdominal cramping, bloating, or gas can occur when abruptly increasing or changing your dietary fiber intake. Fiber is naturally available in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains (especially wheat bran).
Although there is no cure for lazy bowel syndrome, symptoms may be managed effectively depending on the severity of symptoms and underlying cause.
Stimulant laxatives such as Senokot (made from senna pods) and Dulcolax (active ingredient: bisacodyl) are the fastest-working oral laxatives, with overnight results.
Slow-transit constipation is characterized by delay in transit of stool through the colon, caused by either myopathy or neuropathy. The severity of constipation is highly variable, but may be severe enough to result in complete cessation of spontaneous bowel motions.
Among emerging agents, elobixibat, a drug blocking the reabsorption of bile acids, is a promising one, especially in slow transit constipation. Linaclotide, lubiprostone and plecanatide, by a secretagogue action, improve stool consistency and increase colonic transit.
Osmotic laxatives: polyethylene glycol, magnesium citrate, stimulant laxatives such as senna/ senokot or bisacodyl/dulcolax , or a combination of the two. Prosecretory agents: linaclotide and lubiprostone both show great results in the treatment of chronic idiopathic constipation and inflammatory bowel syndrome.
Any form of cardio is helpful with relieving constipation. Try Zumba, jogging, water aerobics, running or even just light walking. Aim for 30 minutes of cardio daily, but if you can't fit it in at one time, try mini cardio sessions throughout the day.
Any physical activity, even light exercise such as walking, can help get your insides moving. "Your gut is a muscle, and it needs to move," Issokson says. Try to get at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise—such as walking a few laps around the block—every day.
Atonic colon (pronounced ay-TAW-nik KOH-lun) occurs when there is a lack of normal muscle tone or strength in the colon. Also, known as lazy colon or colon stasis, it may result in chronic constipation.
Most cases of acute constipation happen because you are not eating enough of the right foods (or in the right quantities), drinking enough water or getting enough exercise. So the fixes are simple: Move more, drink more water and add fiber to your diet (or take it as a supplement) to add bulk to your stool.
Foods to Avoid When Constipated
If you are chronically constipated, overeating fried food, processed meats, commercially baked goods and other high-fat items may be responsible. Slattery cites cheese as a particular constipation culprit. “Really high-fat foods slow down digestion,” she says.
Dulcolax® Stool Softener is a stimulant-free laxative made to relieve occasional constipation. Each tablet contains 100 mg of the #1 doctor-recommended stool softener ingredient — docusate sodium.
Medication Summary
The agents that are most useful in the treatment of these disorders are neostigmine, bethanechol, metoclopramide, cisapride, and loperamide. Neostigmine appears to increase antral and intestinal motor activity in patients with hypomotility, including intestinal dysmotility.
Two forms of constipation are:
While there is a wide range of what is considered normal in terms of number of bowel movements per week, slow transit constipation usually results in fewer than normal bowel movements. Normal transit constipation usually has a normal frequency of bowel movements.
This means an abnormal pooping schedule can vary depending on how often you usually have bowel movements. Not pooping for even three days might be extremely atypical, or unusual, for some people. Generally, however, Dr. De Latour stated that eight days without pooping is concerning for most people.
MiraLAX ® provides complete, comfortable and predictable relief. MiraLAX ® offers both stool-softening and laxative effects. MiraLAX ® does not cause harsh side effects such as gas, bloating, cramping and sudden urgency. MiraLAX ® relieves occasional constipation that may be caused by certain medications.
If you take a laxative and it doesn't work, or stops working after time, be sure to let your healthcare provider know. You could be overusing the laxative, or you may have a blockage in your bowels that's preventing the laxative from working.