constipation

Gillette · Posted: Tue Oct 28, 2008 3:04 pm Post subject: constipation

I have experience in care in this area, and have found a combination that appears to work well. Often people take fiber supplements and laxatives, and are unsuccessful for several reasons. The most common is the lack of enough fluids in the diet, and close second is a decrease in physical activity. If you then add a decrease in appetite, therefore a decreased volume for your bowel to move in the first place, you are sick AND you feel miserable at the same time ... can lead to complications.
I have found this basic combination to be very effective; a little work, but have known it to be helpful to everyone from infants to the dying.

I call fruit lax.

12 Stewed Prunes, With Juice
6 fignewtons
1/4 cup raisins
2 Tablespoons Apple Juice

Place in a glass bowl, and cover with saran wrap, poking a hole for venting. Microwave in 1 minute intervals, checking for it drying out, for about 3 minutes on high. Stir, it should be soft. Place in a food processor, or blender, and process till smooth. Referigerate. It is great on toast, in Oatmeal, mixed with peanut butter, however..

Trouble shooting:
If it dries , or is too dry to process: add apple juice a tablespoon at a time.
If the raisins do not process: place the mixture back in the bowl you microwaved it in in the first place, add a tablespoon of apple juice, recover and vent, and cook another minute on high.

It will keep 5 days or so in the fridge, and makes about a cup.

I have known people that experiment with it and add dates before cooking, or other favorite dried fruits.

I have not found it to have any ill side effects, is gentle enough not to hurt the bowel, affordable to make, and successful.

I just though someone might benefit from this, I know this is a long post.
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Jean222 · Senior User Joined: 14 Dec 2008 Posts: 249

Another 'cure' for constipation is corn syrup mixed in hot water.

Any kind of sucrose (sugar) dissolved in water, then cooled til tolerable will act as a stool softener.

You're correct about fluid levels and lack of exercise but many very sick people cannot move about much.

If you can keep them properly hydrated and add sugars to their water, you can keep them 'moving'.

Much more difficult if they have high sugar levels or are diabetic though.

Jean

Gillette · Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 10:51 pm Post subject: constipation

I had not heard that about cornsyrup and hot water- Thanks! It might help some of the elderly I know!
_________________
Kathy: still loving Ben, as he rests with God.

ChemoMan · Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2009 10:15 pm Post subject: Re: constipation

Hi
Apples and bananas worked for me. 2 apples and 1 banana worked a treat and they did not make me feel sick. I didnt mash them just ate the whole as normal.
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brainman · Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2009 12:10 am Post subject: Re: constipation

A lot of very strong coffee usually works for me. Most people in the US do not know what "strong coffee" is Laughing

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Gillette · Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2009 6:58 am Post subject: constipation

Ido, Ido- AND if you have a cup of strong coffee, a corn muffin and a handfull of grapes - look out!! Embarassed

_________________
Kathy: still loving Ben, as he rests with God.

lyrl · New User Joined: 08 Mar 2009 Posts: 4 Location: Midwest

I've become a big fan of the fiber wafers Metamucil makes. No preparation, just open the package and eat two cookies (they taste pretty good, too). Eating one dose (two cookies) every day has kept things moving and softened them up.
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