Try natural laxatives that work fast for constipation relief, which include: aloe vera, leafy greens, chia and flax seeds, high fiber fruits, probiotic foods, and coconut water. Also make sure to drink plenty of water/fluids when consuming natural laxatives, since these work with high fiber foods to help soften stool.
Perform stimulation with your finger every day until you start to have a regular pattern of bowel movements. You can also stimulate bowel movements by using a suppository (glycerin or bisacodyl) or a small enema. Some people find it helpful to drink warm prune juice or fruit nectar.
Prunes act as a natural laxative, owing to its high content of fiber and sorbitol. Both these nutrients add bulk to your stool, making it easier to go. Apples and plums are good alternatives too owing to their high fiber content, especially in their skins.
Drinking plenty of water, getting in some movement and eating a high-fiber diet is the best way to relieve constipation, without relying on medication like laxatives or other stool softeners.
Bisacodyl is a stimulant laxative that works by increasing the amount of fluid/salts in the intestines. This effect usually results in a bowel movement within 15 to 60 minutes.
Increasing water in the digestive tract can make stool softer and easier to pass. A good sign that you're drinking enough water is if your urine is pale yellow in color. Eat more fiber. Fiber can add bulk to the stool, which can stimulate the bowels and help move stool through the digestive tract.
Olive oil – consuming a teaspoon of olive oil in the morning on an empty stomach can encourage stool to flow through the gut. The oil acts as a lubricant in the digestive system, meaning it's easier for solids to slide through. It also softens up the stool, making it easier to empty your bowels completely.
Staying hydrated helps soften stool and makes it easier to pass. Drinking hot water regularly may help keep your bowel movements regular.
“Bananas, when fully ripe, contain soluble fiber and thus can help treat constipation,” Lee says. “However, unripe, or green, bananas have high levels of resistant starch, which can be very binding and cause constipation.” Because of this, unripe bananas can be used to treat diarrhea, she notes.
The citric acid and vitamin C found in lemons help aid bowel movements. Citric acid acts as a mild stimulant while vitamin C pulls water into the colon causing the bowels to contract.
The normal length of time between bowel movements varies widely from person to person. Some people have them three times a day. Others have them just a few times a week. Going longer than 3 or more days without one, though, is usually too long.
You may think that cutting back on food will help “clear out” your colon. That's not the case. Do this: Eating, especially healthy whole foods that contain fiber, helps your body move stool.
One tablespoon of olive oil, taken on an empty stomach in the morning, may relieve constipation for many healthy adults. People should not take more than one tablespoonful, however, as this can lead to diarrhea and cramps.
Osmotic laxatives such as polyethylene glycol (brand name Miralax) are well-tolerated by most older adults, and can be used daily.
Dulcolax® Liquid Laxative works faster than MiraLAX. Dulcolax® works in as little as 30 minutes (30 minutes to 6 hours) while MiraLAX works in 1–3 days (based on product labeling).
In general, bulk-forming laxatives, also referred to as fiber supplements, are the gentlest on your body and safest to use long term. Metamucil and Citrucel fall into this category.
Magnesium citrate is a powerful natural laxative. Magnesium citrate has been shown to be more bioavailable and better absorbed in the body than other forms of magnesium, such as magnesium oxide ( 40 ). Magnesium citrate increases the amount of water in the intestinal tract, which causes a bowel movement ( 41 ).