Health tips

Daily Diet and Nutrition

• A common cause of constipation is a diet high in meats, dairy products, eggs, and sugary desserts. Maintaining a well-balanced, high-fiber diet helps promote regularity.
• Fiber, especially insoluble dietary fiber, helps move bulk through the intestines and promotes bowel movements. Try slowly adding fiber to your diet to avoid excess gas and bloating. You don't want to shock your system.
• Include more high-fiber foods in your diet, such as oats, wheat bran, brown rice, apples, apricots, blackberries, prunes, raw carrots, kale, and peas, which can help promote digestive health.
• Keep hydrated by drinking enough liquids, especially water, to help make your stool softer and easier to pass through your system.
• Probiotics in foods with active cultures help promote overall digestive health and regulate the movement of food through the intestine. Try using plain yogurt in the place of sour cream on baked potatoes or enchiladas.

If you're still experiencing occasional constipation, try MiraLAX^® laxative. It offers gentle, predictable relief with no harsh side effects.

Lifestyle

• Stay active and exercise to your ability. Be sure to check with your doctor before you begin a new program.
• Eat meals on a regular schedule. Take time to enjoy your meal and chew your food well.
• When you have to go to the bathroom, go! Don't ignore the urge to have a bowel movement. Work with your digestive system to help keep it running smoothly.
• Never underestimate the benefits of a good night's sleep. Many people who suffer from stress, one of the causes of constipation, frequently aren't getting enough rest.
• Managing stress is another way to help stay regular. Pamper yourself once in a while. Schedule a salon treatment such as a massage or a manicure. Even a simple bubble bath can help reduce stress.

Travel

While travel can be good for the soul, it can often trigger constipation. Why? Because your normal diet and daily routine are disrupted. Fortunately, there are things you can do to keep your digestive system working smoothly.

• When traveling by car or plane, drink enough fluids to stay hydrated.
• While enjoying local foods during your trip, remember to incorporate fiber into your meals.
• Avoid greasy foods or mayo-laden sandwiches often sold in airports. Go for a healthier, fiber-based alternative, such as whole-grain granola bars, to keep your hunger in check until you reach your destination.
• Stay active with simple activities like walking, bike riding, or swimming.
• Pack an empty, reusable bottle so you can refill it with water, or stock up on bottled water and keep it in your bag and hotel room. Add a slice of lemon or lime to perk up the water with extra flavor.
• Be sure to pack a few travel-size packets of MiraLAX^®. If you experience constipation while you are away, MiraLAX can provide gentle, predictable relief.

MiraLAX is the #1 recommended laxative by doctors, pharmacists, and gastroenterologists. It's clinically proven to relieve constipation and soften stool, with no harsh side effects, at home or away.

Mature Adults

Adults 65 and older are five times more likely than younger adults to experience constipation. Inadequate hydration, lack of exercise, and the use of certain drugs to treat other conditions may result in constipation.

• A number of common medicines, including over-the-counter remedies and prescription medications, can cause constipation. These include pain medications (especially narcotics), antacids that contain aluminum or calcium, antispasmodic drugs, antidepressants, iron supplements, anticonvulsants for epilepsy, drugs for Parkinson's and heart conditions. If you're taking a medication, even a multivitamin, and experiencing constipation, talk to your doctor.
• If you have a significant or prolonged change in bowel habits, go see your doctor. This could be the sign of a blockage or a more serious condition.

If you have occasional constipation, try MiraLAX^®. It's the #1 recommended laxative preferred by doctors, pharmacists, and gastroenterologists. MiraLAX is clinically proven to relieve constipation and soften stool, with no harsh side effects.