Self-Care at Home

• Get more fiber or bulk in your diet.
  
  
• Regular physical activity is an important component in bowel health.
  
  
• Drink plenty of fluids, especially water and fruit juices. Drink 6-8 glasses of water daily in addition to your beverages with meals.
  
  
• Go to the toilet at the same time every day-preferably after meals-and take enough time.
  
  
• Use nondigestible sugar (lactulose) or specially formulated solutions.
  
  
• Avoid using over-the-counter laxatives. Try to avoid laxatives containing senna (Senokot) or buckthorn (Rhamnus purshiana) because long-term intake may damage the lining of your bowel and injure nerve endings to the colon.
  
  
• Try a daily exercise such as the knee-to-chest position. Such positions may activate bowel movements. Spend about 10-15 minutes in this position. Breathe in and out deeply.