Constipation is a very common condition that commonly occurs as a side effect of various medications. Constipation can cause a lot of discomfort, with failure to pass a stool for days and stools that are hard and dry and often difficult and painful to eliminate. Constipation can even cause straining, and the feeling of a full bowel. While constipation is in most cases not a cause for worry and passes off soon enough it can at times lead to complications like hemorrhoids, which is caused by straining, anal fissures, which are tears in the surrounding skin, fecal impaction and other problems, which is why identifying and addressing the cause quickly can help a lot.
Since the problem that you are experiencing is caused by prescription drugs it would be best for you to inform your doctor about the side effects resulting from the prescribed medication. Normally if a particular medication or treatment therapy is the cause of constipation the medications are changed and substituted with alternatives. This generally resolves the problem instantly. This however may not always be possible and in the absence of alternatives there are other measures you will have to try.
There are a number of ways by which you can ease and remedy your constipation problem. The most important aspect of the treatment for constipation is your diet. Make it a point to increase your dietary intake of fibre. Ideally you should have at least eighteen to thirty grams of fibre daily. Cereal foods, peas, beans, lentils, dates, fruit and vegetables are rich sources of fibre. Try to include some bulking agents, like wheat bran, in your diet. This will help to soften your stools making them easier to pass. Fluids are also extremely important, so try to increase your daily fluid intake. Drink a lot of water and eat fruits and vegetables like water melon and cucumber as they have a high content of fluid. Apart from your diet try to exercise regularly as lack of exercise also contributes to constipation.
answered by M W