Drink plenty of fluids. Take a fiber product like Metamucil or Citrucel once or twice a day for several days if you are constipated. If the problem continues, check with your health care provider, but generally you can take 1 to 3 doses of these products a day regularly. Avoid using laxatives. Avoid using cathartics, which are products that will cause a fluid bowel movement.
Cathartics irritate the lining of the intestines.
If necessary, ask your health care provider about giving yourself an enema. Developed by Phyllis G. Cooper, R.N., M.N., and Clinical Reference Systems.