"I swear, I'm putting a sign on the door that says "Constipation Station"."

I love my mother.

 

It seems to be a common problem as of late: constipation. Gross, sad, but true. I personally have had trouble with it for months, before my anorexia even devolped - in fact, it was somewhat a contributor, as I began with just harmlessly removing things from my diet to see what was triggering it and what wasn't, weight came off, compliments fed a low-self esteem and... you get the picture.

While I am now battling vigorously against my ED I still bunch over with constipation and bloating many days, ultimately leading to me being in and out of the toilet, resulting in the lovely quote in the title from my mum. >>; My godsend has been, as of late... something I used to hate. Prunes. Oh, they are magical, and awesome warmed after 30 seconds in the microwave. I've also been reccommended peppermint oil but have had yet to try it, and drink fennel tea regularly as it soothes my bloating no end. An easy walk also takes away any discomfort I get in bloating - but I always wait a half hour after eating before I do that. Walking on a full stomach = heartburn, urgh.

But, to the matter at hand! I thought it might help for fellow CCers to bring together their NATURAL remedies - herbal, or food based, or methods of exercise that have helped them with bloating, constipation OR diarrhea, or what they find makes any of these worsen. Ideally, I will then compile a list in this first post so that it can be looked for whenever someone is having trouble.

(To be updated as more suggestions come in!)
Remedies:
 -- Food
-> Prunes are brilliant for constipation. :D
-> From doedoebird: Apparently, a good strong coffee can do the trick, though IBS sufferers are generally discouraged from having caffeine.
-> High fibre diets are reccommended for constipation; alternatively, low fibre diets are reccommended for diarrhea.
-> From spoiled_candy: Consume some healthy fats each day; drink plenty of water - warm water or broth can both help a constipated feeling.

 -- Exercise
-> A steady, 20-30 minute walk usually helps relieve bloating and sometimes constipation, too.

 -- Other
 -> From cavaliers: Metamucil and other fibre supplements can help if you have trouble with getting more fibre, or just in general.
 -> From kajikit: Establish a regular bathroom habit - after breakfast may be opportune as eating it will trigger your digestion.

Aggrivators:
 -- Food

 -- Exercise

 -- Other
 -> From kajikit: Listen to your body when you need to go! -- I second this one: apparently, the longer you wait, the more water that is absorbed from what you're holding in and the harder it gets. Ewwww.

Come one, come all, to the constipation station. x__x;

i always go after coffee in the morning, and i've read people say that coffee is a major trigger for them too... but i also read that coffee is not suitable for people with IBS as it tends to worsen IBS related constipation in the long run...?

I've heard of black coffee and oatmeal/porridge consumed side by side does it, but yes - it's generally discouraged for people with IBS to have caffeine. x: I'll put it up there, but will mention alongside.

Anyone else have more advice to add? P: Stomachs seem to be a very common subject at the moment!

Metamucil.  The container says three times a day, but I only take one dose and it works just fine.

I have IBS and since I've started taking it my symptoms have eased.

Make sure that you are consuming some good fats every day as well as drinking water, warm water helps and so does broth.

Not a food factor, but it's said to help if you try to encourage your body to have regular habits by going to the bathroom at the same time each day, and eating breakfast generally triggers digestive action, which can make it easier to go. So right after breakfast is a good time for a bathroom stop. Also, they say that you really shouldn't try to tell your body to wait for more than a few minutes when it DOES want to go, because that encourages you to get stopped up inside.

Kajikit: Ah, yes, those are both good ones. I've heard that apparently, the reason you should go when your body calls for it is the longer you hold on, the more water that's taken from what you're holding on to and... yeeaah. Gross! ><;

Eating a bigger (volume not calorie necessarily) .  Also, one cup of coffee or 30 minutes of cardio will speed things up. Just getting enough water keeps the system going much better.  Don't know why...