GoodRx for Healthcare Professionals7 Ways to Get Rid of Constipation Fast

This evidence-based patient education article addresses acute constipation management through accessible interventions. The content balances immediate symptom relief with appropriate medical supervision guidance, incorporating both OTC and lifestyle modifications. Written by board-certified physicians, it emphasizes safety parameters and warning signs requiring medical attention.

Key Clinical Considerations:

• Treatment Timeline Expectations: Interventions range from 30 minutes (magnesium) to 72 hours (Colace), with specific timeframes provided for each intervention to guide patient expectations and compliance.
• Intervention Hierarchy: Presents options from least invasive (dietary modifications) to more aggressive (Fleet enemas), allowing for stepped care approach based on symptom severity.
• Safety Parameters: Clear contraindications provided for specific populations (eg, magnesium in chronic kidney disease patients, enema restrictions in IBD/colorectal surgery patients).
• Monitoring Guidance: Specific red flags identified (fever, weight loss, blood in stool) with concrete timeframes for seeking medical attention (>1 week of symptoms).
• Mechanism Integration: Each intervention includes physiological basis (eg, osmotic effects, bulk formation), supporting patient education and compliance.

In a study, researchers found that consumption of green kiwifruit was associated with a clinically relevant increase of ≥ 1.5 complete spontaneous bowel movements (CSBM) per week and significantly improved measures of GI comfort in constipated participants. (Am J Gastroenterology)

Summaries on Bowel Habits