Diet, medications, delay of transit time through the colon, incomplete bowel emptying, lack of fluids, and lack of exercise are a few other causes of constipation. First, we should look at our personal habits, and see where we can improve them. Eight glasses of water or juices per day are essential. Adding prune juice daily may also help. Increase fiber in your diet.
Vegetable fiber is largely indigestible and unabsorbable and increases the bulk in our stools.
Bran and other sources of fiber may be found in cereals. Read the labels to find the highest fiber sources. Attempt a bowel movement at a regularly scheduled time each day and be sure that you are not rushed in any way. Establishing a routine often helps to retrain our bowels. A stool softener may be taken daily, but a laxative should not .