help i have a habit of taking laxatives...

[angela j]

...because i only have a bowel movement? once every 5 to 6 days and it very painful i eat alot of salad and take fiber pills but i still cant seem to go on my own.is there anyone who can suggest foods that might be able to help other than prunes so i can get off the laxatives?

[Steve E]

I have problems because of the pain meds I have to take. Drink lots of water and fruit juice. Eat Kellogs all bran and snack on fresh fruit during the day. It will take about 2 weeks to get your system back in order but so worth it. I feel your pain LOL

[AMBER D]

The primary cause of constipation is a diet high in animal fats (meats, dairy products, eggs) and refined sugar (rich desserts and other sweets), but low in fiber (vegetables, fruits, whole grains). Research shows that high fiber diets result in larger stools, more frequent bowel movements, and therefore less constipation. Foods that have a laxative effect include almonds, apricots (dried), avocados, beans, celery, coconut, raisins, dates, endive, figs, grapes, mangoes, olive, papayas, parsley, persimmons, pineapple, prunes, rhubarb, soybeans, turnips, walnuts and most vegetables. Olive oil has a mild laxative action and can help lower blood cholesterol levels. Foods that have a laxative effect include almonds, apricots (dried), avocados, beans, celery, coconut, raisins, dates, endive, figs, grapes, mangoes, olive, papayas, parsley, persimmons, pineapple, prunes, rhubarb, soybeans, turnips, walnuts and most vegetables. Olive oil has a mild laxative action and can help lower blood cholesterol levels.

[Noon@Night]

You need to drink lots of water. That is why the bowel movements are painful (when you have them). Water helps your digestive system work more efficiently.

[Kathryn R]

Bran cereal. Surprisingly, salad has little fiber. I thought it had more then the doctor told me otherwise. Also strange, raw carrots are full of sugar.

[pensacola_sand]

High fiber diets require extra large doses of water NOT TO bind you up. Think of shredded cardboard and trying to flush that down a toilet. It takes lots of water to do it.So reduce your fiber intake some and increase your water intake, and stop with the fiber pills. Unnecessary with the proper amounts of fiber in the diet.Add to that some excercise. The digestive system past the stomach is a passive one that only pushes things along when other muscles are at work. Walking 20 to 30 minutes a day will help move things out.And talk with your doctor or a nurse practitioner. Don't know how long your problem has been going on or how many laxatives you take, but it could be a sign of another problem going on like irritable bowel syndrome with constipation.

[pumpkingirliegirl4more]

f you are serious about losing weight, then check out this program. This system helped me lose 13 lbs. in two weeks… http://www.easiest-weight-loss-ever.com/?e=ondemandprofits@gmail.comI loved it so much, and it was easy that I wanted to share it with you!