Treating Constipation

Treating Constipation: Unifiber's Indication
What is Constipation?
What is the Cause of Constipation?
Inadequate Dietary Fiber
Medications Causing Constipation
Constipation in Pregnancy
Constipation & Dehydration
Various Constipation Treatments

Indication         

UniFiber^® is a nonprescription fiber supplement indicated for the prevention and treatment of constipation.

Constipation

As the food you eat passes through your digestive tract, your body takes nutrients and water from the food. This process creates a stool, which is moved through your intestines with muscle contractions (squeezing motions).¹ Muscle contractions in the colon then push the stool toward the rectum. By the time the stool reaches the rectum it is solid, because most of the water has been absorbed. When the colon absorbs too much water or muscle contractions of colon are slow, the stool moves through the colon too slowly. As a result, stools can become hard and dry. This results in constipation.

According to the National Institutes of Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), constipation is defined  as having fewer than 3 bowel movements per week. Constipation is one of the most frequently-occurring gastrointestinal complaints in the US, with more than 4 million Americans reporting frequent constipation.²

Causes of Constipation

It is important to note that constipation is a symptom and not a disease. In fact, nearly everyone will experience constipation in their lifetime. There are many different causes of constipation. Some of the most common appear below:³

• Inadequate dietary fiber
• Lack of physical activity (especially in the elderly)
• Certain medications
• Bodily changes such as pregnancy and aging
• Ignoring the urge to have a bowel movement
• Dehydration
• Specific diseases or conditions
• Problems with the colon and rectum 

Inadequate Dietary Fiber

Both soluble fiber and insoluble fiber are the part of fruits, vegetables, and grains that are not able to be digested by the body. The bulk and soft texture of fiber help prevent hard, dry stools that are difficult to pass. On average, Americans eat between 5 to 14 grams of fiber each day, which is less than the 20 to 35 grams that the American Dietetic Association recommends.⁴

Intake of fiber below the minimum recommendation has been shown to be related to increased risk of chronic constipation, especially among children.⁵ Most patients can successfully manage their constipation with simple measures, including increased fluid and fiber intake and use of laxatives or fiber supplementation.⁶ A review of the literature on laxatives and fiber supplementation demonstrated that bowel movement frequency was increased with fiber supplementation.⁷

Lack of Physical Activity

Constipation has been shown to be related to decreased physical activity levels, especially among elderly patients. However, many other factors may also contribute to constipation. Intervention programs to increase physical activity as part of a broad program to prevent or treat constipation may be beneficial.⁸

Medications

Many medications that people commonly take may also cause constipation. Some of the medications most frequently associated with constipation appear in the table below:⁹

Pregnancy

During pregnancy, women are more likely to experience changes in their bowel habits. Pregnant women report an increase in sensations of incomplete evacuation and time spent defecating during all 3 trimesters of pregnancy compared with after having given birth.¹⁰ Low fluid intake also has been linked to constipation in pregnancy, especially in the third trimester. ¹¹

Aging

Constipation is a common problem among elderly and hospitalized patients. It is associated with numerous symptoms, including abdominal pain, discomfort, gas, headaches, nausea, anorexia, and a bad taste in the mouth. Additionally, constipation potentially adds to functional loss and length of hospital stay. In one study, treatment using a combination of dietary fiber, increased fluid intake, and hygiene measures resulted in a decreased incidence of constipation (from 59% to about 9%).¹²

Dehydration

Fluid losses induced by diarrhea and illnesses causing fever can increase the risk of constipation.¹³ Although research has not shown a clear benefit of increased fluid intake on constipation, many people report some relief from their constipation with increased intake of fluids such as water and juice. Liquids add fluid to the colon and bulk to stools, making bowel movements softer and easier to pass. It is important to note that liquids with caffeine in them may make symptoms worse because caffeine can promote dehydration. Similarly, drinking alcohol may also cause dehydration and increase the risk of constipation²

Treating Constipation

When a person is constipated, treatment with lifestyle change (eg, increased physical activity, increased fluid intake, increased dietary fiber intake), laxatives, fiber supplements, or enemas may be beneficial.²

A doctor should determine when a patient needs a laxative and which form is best. Laxatives taken by mouth are available in liquid, tablet, gum, powder, and granule forms. They work in various ways:²

Bulk-forming laxatives (also known as fiber supplements): This type of laxative is generally considered the safest. Although many bulk-forming laxatives can interfere with absorption of some medicines, UniFiber^® does not.

UniFiber^® is the only fiber supplement on the market that is totally insoluble.  Benefits over other constipation treatments include:

• Is sodium, potassium, phosphorus and gluten free
• Contains less than one net carb per serving
• Has less than 4 calories per serving
• Has no minimum fluid requirement (can be mixed in food rather than liquid.  See recipes.) [link to recipe page]
• Is tasteless, non-gelling and grit free
• Does not cause gas or bloating
• Cannot cause a bowel obstruction or choking hazard
• Can be taken with other medications and vitamins (does not block their absorption)

Stimulants: This class works by causing rhythmic muscle contractions in the intestines.

Osmotics: This class work by causing fluids to flow in a particular way through the colon.

Stool softeners: This type of treatment moistens the stool and prevents dehydration. Stool softeners often are recommended after a surgical procedure or childbirth. Using this type of laxative for a long period of time may cause an electrolyte imbalance.

Lubricants: Lubricants like as mineral oil work by greasing the stool, which helps it to more easily move through the intestine.

Saline laxatives: This type of laxative draws water into the colon so that the stool may pass through more easily. Like stool softeners, saline laxatives may also cause electrolyte imbalances if used for a long period of time, especially in small children and people with kidney problems.

Chloride channel activators: These agents work by increasing the amount of fluid in the intestine to help stool pass. Chloride channel activators can be used safely used for up to 1 year.

Serotonin agonists: This type of treatment helps the muscles in your intestines work correctly when a sluggish digestive system is the result of low levels of serotonin. These agents require a prescription.