A regular lifestyle helps you have more regular bowel habits. Avoid
keeping irregular hours. Find time for relaxation and physical activity on a routine
basis.
Try these tips to control constipation. Check those you will try:
- Daily physical activity increases blood circulation and muscle tone in your intestinal
tract. This may help regulate your bowels. Try a daily walk, gentle calisthenics or
stretching exercises, light house or garden work, etc. There is no need to over-exert
yourself. Work at your own pace and ability. (For hints, ask for the Exercise section.)
- Add raw (unrefined) bran to your food. This extra fiber may reduce constipation.
Start with one to two tablespoons a day and increase as needed up to five tablespoons a
day. Add raw bran to foods either before or after cooking. Try adding to hot cereal,
scrambled eggs, pancake or muffin batter, soups, casseroles, or vegetable dishes. Use your
imagination! Processed bran cereals are higher in potassium, but may be used with caution.
- Use part of your fluid allowance as a warm beverage first thing in the morning or before
going to bed in the evening. This often stimulates bowel activity. Warm lemonade, tea, or
coffee work well.
- Routinely find a quiet time each day to spend in the bathroom (10 to 30 minutes).
- Always respond to your urges, no matter how busy you are.
- Check with your doctor about a laxative. Be sure you take only what is suggested, as
some laxatives are not good for people on dialysis. Avoid Milk of Magnesia, Correctol,
Haley's M-O, and epsom salts.
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