Constipation
Constipation means that a person has three or fewer bowel movements in a week. The stool can be hard and dry. Sometimes it is painful to pass. At one time or another, almost everyone gets constipated. In most cases, it lasts a short time and is not serious.
There are many things you can do to prevent constipation. They include
- Eating more fruits, vegetables and grains, which are high in fiber
- Drinking plenty of water and other liquids
- Getting enough exercise
- Taking time to have a bowel movement when you need to
- Using laxatives only if your doctor says you should
- Asking your doctor if medicines you take may cause constipation
It's not important that you have a bowel movement every day. If your bowel habits change, however, check with your doctor.
NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
WARNING: All medicines, drugs, plants, chemicals or medicial precedures below are for historical reference only. Many of these treatments are now known to be harmful and possibly fatal. Do not consume any plant, chemical, drug or otherwise without first consulting a licensed physician that practices medine in the appropriate field.
Physician's Therapeutics Memoranda on Constipation
ACNE
Ascertain whether constitutional disease or disordered dhrestion is present and modify treatment accordingly. Arsenic is generally indicated. especially in combination with iron. For constipation. if present, Compound Liquorice Powder, prelerably in lozenges, or Fluid Cascara Aromatic, N., B. & Co. Locally, lotions containing milk of sulphur and glycerin, sometimes with a base of distilled extract witch hazel, or ointments containing sulphur. sulphur iodide, resor cin, ichthyol or Iodosyl. Give attention to the diet, which should be simple but nourishing. fats especially to be avoided.1
Ascertain whether constitutional disease or disordered dhrestion is present and modify treatment accordingly. Arsenic is generally indicated. especially in combination with iron. For constipation. if present, Compound Liquorice Powder, prelerably in lozenges, or Fluid Cascara Aromatic, N., B. & Co. Locally, lotions containing milk of sulphur and glycerin, sometimes with a base of distilled extract witch hazel, or ointments containing sulphur. sulphur iodide, resor cin, ichthyol or Iodosyl. Give attention to the diet, which should be simple but nourishing. fats especially to be avoided.1
ANEMIA
Nourishing and easily digested food with remedies for promoting digestion and overcoming a tendency to constipation may often ac complish more than hematinics. Of these iron (as reduced iron or ferrous carbonate) is most often prescribed, but in many cachectic conditions is inferior to arsenic or mercury (in minute doses). Among the most eflicient preparations are Solution Gold and Arsenic Bro mide, N., B. & Co., Haemo-Mangan with Arsenic, and formulas in which iron is combined with manganese, or with arsenic.1
Nourishing and easily digested food with remedies for promoting digestion and overcoming a tendency to constipation may often ac complish more than hematinics. Of these iron (as reduced iron or ferrous carbonate) is most often prescribed, but in many cachectic conditions is inferior to arsenic or mercury (in minute doses). Among the most eflicient preparations are Solution Gold and Arsenic Bro mide, N., B. & Co., Haemo-Mangan with Arsenic, and formulas in which iron is combined with manganese, or with arsenic.1
CONSTIPATION
Medicate no more than is necessary. Prescribe regular open air exercise, regularity in going to stool; correct the diet; advise a large glass of Apolinaris before breakfast; if necessary prescribe general tonics. The laxatives best suited for habitual use are; 1, glycerin sup positories, when there is simply inertia of the rectum; 2, senna (particularly a cold infusion, or the oflicial compound liquorice pow der) or cascara sagrada (fluid extract aromatic or jellules); 3, com binations of aloin, belladonna and strychnine, or of podophyllin with nux vomica and belladonna; 4, saline waters or their equiva lent in effervescing granules, particularly the preparation of sodium phosphate.1
Medicate no more than is necessary. Prescribe regular open air exercise, regularity in going to stool; correct the diet; advise a large glass of Apolinaris before breakfast; if necessary prescribe general tonics. The laxatives best suited for habitual use are; 1, glycerin sup positories, when there is simply inertia of the rectum; 2, senna (particularly a cold infusion, or the oflicial compound liquorice pow der) or cascara sagrada (fluid extract aromatic or jellules); 3, com binations of aloin, belladonna and strychnine, or of podophyllin with nux vomica and belladonna; 4, saline waters or their equiva lent in effervescing granules, particularly the preparation of sodium phosphate.1
TYPHOID FEVER
Medication except to meet special indications is probably useless, although the Woodbridge treatment has its advocates. Antipyre tics are not to be used. A milk or koumys diet is best; in any case the food must be soft and easily digested. Alcoholic stimulants must be used to maintain strength, but not to the point of producing ex citement, circulatory or cerebral. Cold sponging or cold baths serve to reduce temperature. Danger of perforation must always be borne in mind, and will govern choice of remedies for constipation. In later stages, oil of turpentine becomes the most important remedy, to be used both internally and externally.1
Medication except to meet special indications is probably useless, although the Woodbridge treatment has its advocates. Antipyre tics are not to be used. A milk or koumys diet is best; in any case the food must be soft and easily digested. Alcoholic stimulants must be used to maintain strength, but not to the point of producing ex citement, circulatory or cerebral. Cold sponging or cold baths serve to reduce temperature. Danger of perforation must always be borne in mind, and will govern choice of remedies for constipation. In later stages, oil of turpentine becomes the most important remedy, to be used both internally and externally.1
References
1) Nelson, Baker & Co., 1904, Physician's Handy Book of Materia Medica and Therapeustics, Detroit, Michigan.