DEAR DR. GOTT: I have been reading your column for a while now. I am an 80-year-old woman who has been suffering with constipation for a long time.
I started taking extra virgin olive oil, two tablespoons in the morning and one at bedtime. I immediately noticed a change the very next day. This has helped me tremendously as I have tried so many over-the-counter products and prescriptions to no avail.
I would like you to share this with your readers.
DEAR READER: And share it I will.
There are a number of remedies to treat the condition, one of which is olive oil. The upside is that olive oil is rich in antioxidants and has none of the side effects of either prescription or over-the-counter remedies, of which there are many on the market. The simplest form is almost as you suggested — one tablespoon in the morning and one in the evening.
Another unusual option is to scrub the fur off the skin of a kiwi but allow the skin to remain. Remove the hard ends and eat one each day for regularity.
The normal frequency of bowel movements varies tremendously for almost everyone — from perhaps three a day to three a week. Once three successive days have passed, the contents of the intestines tend to harden and a person may have difficulty and a great deal of abdominal/anal pain on defecation.
Conditions such as hemorrhoids, anal fissures, intestinal cancers, gallstones, multiple sclerosis, lupus, hypothyroidism, and a host of other conditions may also be contributory. Irritable bowel syndrome and several other conditions can result in abdominal pain, excessive gas, bloating and constipation that alternate with diarrhea.
Both caffeine and alcohol induce an increased urge to urinate, leading to relative dehydration that increases the absorption of water from the intestine. In turn, this can lead to constipation when insufficient fluids are retained in the stool.
Specific medications, to include antacids that contain aluminum hydroxide and calcium carbonate, antidepressants, iron tablets, diuretics and those for pain relief can suppress bowel function.
The excessive use of laxatives will, over time, produce a dependency. When the volume of laxatives escalates, a dependency occurs and the bowel ceases to function as it should. In some instances, the bowel may eventually become insensitive to laxatives and an individual will be unable to have a movement.
Preventive measures include getting lots of exercise, reducing processed and “junk” foods from the daily diet, and drinking lots of fluids.
Readers who would like related information can order my Health Reports “Constipation & Diarrhea” and “More Compelling Home Remedies” by sending a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and $2 US for each report to Dr. Peter Gott and forwarded to PO Box 433, Lakeville, CT 06039. Be sure to mention the title when writing or print out an order form from my website www.AskDrGottMD.com.
