Natural Constipation Cures

Q: Can you tell me the best and most natural way to soften a hard stool?

A: A quick answer is to say you are constipated and the most natural way to soften your stool is to increase your dietary intake of fiber (soluble and insoluble) and water. However, that may not be the correct answer because the size and consistency of a person’s stool changes from time to time, and is greatly influenced by many factors besides diet. Perhaps the cause is a problem with your colon—say, its ability to move the stool through your bowels—or a medication you currently take. Needless to say, the best answer is to make an appointment for a thorough examination by your primary care physician or gastroenterologist in order to get the help you need.

The most natural approach for softening up that hard stool of yours is to address some of the top reasons for the cause. Please keep in mind that everyone is different, but in general, they include but aren’t limited to:

• Increased dietary intake of milk or milk products
• High-protein, low-fiber diets (most people should consume 25-35 grams of fiber per day)
• Lack of physical activity
• Inadequate intake of water or non-caffeinated beverages
• Pregnancy
• Overuse of laxatives
• Older age (more common in the senior population)
• Putting off or continually delaying the urge to have a bowel movement
• Medical conditions such as hypothyroidism, diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome, scleroderma, others
• Colon or rectal concerns (polyps, rectal prolapse, hemorrhoids, etc)

My first concern is to know your age as well as personal and family medical history; If you are 50 or older you are due for a colon examination (colonoscopy, barium enema and sigmoidoscopy, others) to ensure you do not have any growths that may be concerning for colon cancer. And if you have a personal history of ulcerative colitis or a family history of colon cancer, you are at higher risk and need to be checked. Even in your younger years, any change in bowel habits and stool type (thick, thin, small volume) lasting more than two weeks should be discussed with your physician.

You can help your doctor narrow down the cause of your hard stools by knowing the answers to the following:

• How long have you had a problem with hard stools and constipation?
• Has there been a recent change in your diet, such as the high-protein, low-fiber approach?
• Do you have any pain with your bowel movements?
• Do you notice any blood in the bowl, in your stool or on the toilet paper?
• Have you had a change in your bowel habits (more or less frequent than usual) or change in stool color (very light, very dark)?
• Has there been a recent change in your health (hypothyroidism, stroke, un-explained weight loss, etc.)?
• What is your activity level (walk, regularly exercise, or more of a sedentary lifestyle)?
• What medications you currently take? This is important as some are constipating or may increase the tendency for dry stools (narcotic pain relievers, antacids containing aluminum or calcium, iron supplements, blood pressure medications known as calcium channel blockers, diuretics, others)

After a review of your answers and a physical examination, diagnostic testing (colonoscopy, blood tests for thyroid, others) may be requested. If no serious causes or concerns can be found, the most natural approach is to increase your daily amount of fiber (fruits, vegetables, whole grains, others), aerobic activity (walking, others), and water intake (check with your physician). Additionally, the temporary use of medications—including bulk-forming laxatives (fiber supplements taken with water), stool softeners (Colace, others) and osmotics such as Miralax—may be recommended.

I realize talking about your bowels and stools is not the easiest topic to discuss, but it’s very important to overcome any embarrassment because it is a part of your health, and your life. For further information, please check out the United States National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health at www.nlm.nih.gov as well as the American Gastroenterological Association at www.gastro.org.

More on MSN Health & Fitness:

• Common Constipation Triggers
• Reality Check: Colon Cleansing
• Search for Constipation Relief

Find all articles by Dr. Rob.

Do you have a health question you'd like to ask Dr. Rob? Send e-mail to experts@microsoft.com. Please include Ask Dr. Rob in the subject line.

Each of our experts responds to one question each week and the responses are posted on Mondays on MSN Health. We regret that we cannot provide a personalized response to every submission.

Robert Danoff, D.O., M.S., is a family physician and program director of The Family Practice Residency, as well as the combined Family Practice/Emergency Medicine Residency programs at Frankford Hospitals, Jefferson Health System, Philadelphia, Pa. He is the medical correspondent for CN8, The Comcast Network, a regular contributor to Discovery Health Online and a contributing writer to The New York Times Special Features. (Read his full bio.)