Stimulate bowel movements

introduction

Blockages are a common problem that people don't like to talk about. They are very easy to develop, often due to poor diet. As a rule, they are not particularly dangerous, but they are quite uncomfortable. Fortunately, however, there are a variety of remedies that can be used. Sometimes the intake of certain foods or more fluids is enough.

If gentle methods are not enough, medication can also relieve constipation. If, despite everything, the stool is absent for a long period of time, a doctor should be consulted.

Overview of the possibilities to stimulate bowel movements

First of all, there are numerous home remedies that can help relieve constipation. Sometimes general measures such as drinking plenty, exercise, lots of fruit and yogurt are sufficient. In addition, warmth can be used to help.

In the long term, the diet can be adjusted. Switching to high-fiber foods can help. Flea seeds are particularly effective. In acute cases, a soap suppository can also help.

If these gentle methods are not enough, laxatives can be used. Many are available from pharmacies without a prescription. However, these should not be a long-term solution. In an emergency, you still have to go to the doctor.

Find out all about the topic here: Therapy for constipation.

The home remedies

There are numerous known home remedies for relieving constipation. You should also drink a lot in general. Movement also stimulates bowel movements. Lack of exercise is believed to be the main reason for constipation in old age. One should eat in peace and chew the food well, because digestion begins in the mouth. Stress also promotes constipation. Therefore, sufficient relaxation should be ensured. Various relaxation techniques can also help. In addition, heat stimulates bowel movements and also relieves pain in the event of abdominal pain. Hot water bottles or cherry stone pillows are well suited.

Soap suppositories are a common home remedy for children. For this purpose, a small piece of soap is cut from a hand soap in the form of a suppository, which is then introduced.

Also read the article: The home remedies for constipation.

The tea as a home remedy

In general, it is important to drink a lot. Tea is very suitable for drinking liquids.

Senna leaf tea is a tea with a laxative effect because it inhibits the absorption of fluid by the intestinal wall. Senna leaf tea should not be taken for longer than two weeks. Cold water is poured over the leaves. Then the tea has to steep for 24 hours. There are also numerous teas that are effective for additional abdominal pain. Chamomile is recommended. When constipated, it is best to combine chamomile with licorice root and caraway seeds.

The food

There are numerous foods that stimulate bowel movements. First of all, yogurt and fruit have a positive effect. Plus, it helps to get more fiber and avoid highly processed foods. Classic high-fiber foods that have a positive effect on digestion are flea seeds and flax seeds. They swell up when they absorb water. In doing so, they enlarge the chyme and make it softer. However, care must be taken to drink enough. But vegetables and whole grain products also contain a lot of fiber.

Foods that cause constipation should be avoided. These include bananas, cocoa, white flour products, etc. Even sweets, especially chocolate, should not be consumed if you are constipated. The same applies to highly processed foods.

Also read the article: The balanced diet.

The drugs

There are numerous drugs on the market that can help relieve constipation. They are offered in all kinds of different forms of administration. Laxatives can be divided into different groups. On the one hand there are osmotic (water-drawing) laxatives such as lactulose, milk sugar or macrogel, which is the active ingredient of the frequently used Movicol. There are also salty laxatives. These include magnesium sulfate and sodium sulfate. However, these laxatives cannot be used in some diseases.

With stimulatory laxatives there is an increased transfer of water and salts into the intestine, as they stimulate the intestinal activity. This group includes bisacodyl, sennoside and sodium picosulfate, which is contained in laxoberal drops. Prucolapride is a selective serotonin receptor antagonist. Serotonin is a tissue hormone that has many different functions. Among other things, it increases bowel movement and shortens the intestinal passage. It is prescribed by the doctor when the constipation cannot be adequately treated by other means.

Laxatives should not be used for habitual use, only when gentle methods are not enough. In the case of recurring constipation problems, a change in diet and lifestyle should be made or a doctor should be consulted for further clarification.

Find out more about the topic here: The laxatives.

This is how you can stimulate bowel movements after an operation

Especially after surgery in the abdomen, the bowel only slowly gets going again. This is normal because the many medications, such as pain relievers and anesthetic drugs, negatively affect bowel function during an operation. However, it is very important that the intestine resumes its work after such procedures. Because there is a risk of post-operative ileus forming. In the case of an ileus, the intestines are paralyzed for several days and unable to digest. Life-threatening complications can arise.

Early mobilization after the operation, if this is possible and allowed by the doctor, has a positive effect on bowel function. Interestingly, there is evidence that chewing gum after an operation is said to encourage bowel movement. You should chew as much gum as possible. Chewing stimulates the flow of saliva, so the body thinks that food intake will soon follow, for which the gastrointestinal organs are stimulated. Otherwise it is generally advisable to follow the dietary recommendations of the doctor and, if necessary, to follow a prescribed diet. It can help to avoid constipation-causing foods such as chocolate and white flour products when starting to eat.

What can you do about constipation? Find out more here.

This is how you can stimulate bowel movements in a baby

First, there are very gentle methods, such as bathing and massages, to stimulate bowel movements. Furthermore, you can move your legs on the changing table as you would when cycling or circle your belly at an angle. It also helps to carry the little ones in the towel a lot and to increase the amount of fluid. Gentle applications of heat can also stimulate bowel movements.

If these measures are not sufficient, an anus massage can be performed with the thumb. Milk sugar can also be added to baby food. Before doing this, however, you should seek medical advice. An enema can also be made in an emergency.

It is not uncommon for babies to have problems with bowel movements. However, in rare cases there can be serious medical reasons behind it. A good thriving and growing is always a good sign. A pediatrician should therefore be consulted in the event of constant, severe problems, red or white discolouration of the stool or if there is no bowel movement.

You can find more information at: Constipation in children.

With the clinical thermometer

With the help of a clinical thermometer it is possible to stimulate bowel movements in babies. The clinical thermometer is inserted like when measuring fibers. You then wait for a few seconds until it is removed again, as you would measure with a fever. So the risk of injury is very low. The clinical thermometer should not be moved or inserted deeper than normal. There is a risk of causing minor injuries. These can cause pain the next time you have a bowel movement, so you have to help again.

In any case, the method should not be used often, and if so, only very carefully. The sphincter muscle is not yet trained in babies, the clinical thermometer should set an impulse to open the sphincter muscle.