How to Get Rid of Constipation Fast
To get rid of constipation fast, try drinking 16 ounces of prune juice, since the high amount of sorbitol and fiber in it will give you the urge to go. Alternatively, you can dissolve 2 tablespoons of Epsom salts into a glass of water, then drink the mixture to soften your stools and contract your bowels. If you don't get relief within 4 hours, try drinking it again. With either method, be sure to drink a lot of water so that you don't become dehydrated and can recover quickly.
Try an osmotic laxative or stool softener to make the stool easier to pass. You might have difficulty passing stool if it's become hard. Purchase an osmotic laxative like milk of magnesia or a stool softener, such as docusate sodium or docusate calcium, that's designed to moisten the stool by pulling water from your intestines. This allows the stool to exit your body more easily. You may find that you're able to pass stool within 30 minutes to 6 hours after taking the osmotic laxative or stool softener. Take mineral oil to coat the lining of your intestines so the stool slides out easier. Since your body can't digest an emollient like mineral oil, it sticks to the sides of your bowels. This slippery surface makes it easier to push stool out. To take mineral oil, swallow 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of the oil and wait between 6 to 8 hours before trying to pass stool. Avoid taking mineral oil more than once a day or if you've just taken a stool softener. Taking mineral oil for more than a few days can prevent your body from properly absorbing vitamins. Take an Epsom salt laxative if an osmotic laxative or stool softener doesn't work. Epsom salt contains magnesium, which can act as a laxative. To use it as an oral laxative, dissolve 2 tablespoons (29.6 ml) (30 g) of Epsom salt in 1 cup (240 ml) of water or juice. Drink the juice immediately. You should pass stool within 30 minutes to 6 hours. Avoid taking more than 1 Epsom salt laxative in a day because you can overdose on magnesium. Use an oral over-the-counter stimulant laxative for serious constipation. If you've tried other remedies or laxatives without being able to pass stool, buy a laxative stimulant that contains bisacodyl or senna-sennosides. These stimulate your bowels to contract so you can pass stool. You should only take 1 dose of stimulant laxatives a day and don't use them for more than a day or two in a row. Always try other constipation therapies before reaching for the stimulant laxative. Stimulant laxatives can cause dehydration and dependence if you use them too frequently. Try a suppository if laxatives don't work. Purchase constipation-relieving suppositories that contain bisacodyl and gently insert one into your rectum. Sit or lie flat for 15 minutes or until the suppository takes effect and you have the urge to pass stool. It takes around 10 to 45 minutes for a suppository to work. Try to make yourself comfortable and stay close to a toilet. Because suppositories are so effective, you shouldn't take more than 1 a day. Get medical attention if you're constipated for more than 3 days. If you've tried remedies and over-the-counter constipation treatments without success, call your doctor. They'll do a complete physical examination to determine if something else is causing the constipation. You should get immediate medical attention if you experience: Fever Stomach pain Indigestion without being able to pass gas Nausea or vomiting Swollen or painful stomach Rectal bleeding Include high-fiber whole grains at every meal. Most people don't get the recommended 20 to 35 grams of fiber a day, which can cause constipation. Try to eat fiber-rich foods like whole-wheat breads, pastas, cereals, and oatmeal. Legumes, such as lentils, black beans, kidney beans, soybeans, and chickpeas, are also great sources of fiber. Eat high-fiber fruits and vegetables throughout the day. Leave the skin on apples and pears to get even more fiber in your diet or eat dried fruits like prunes, figs, and raisins. Eating fiber-rich produce, such as berries, oranges, carrots, greens, and broccoli, can add volume to your stool. This makes it easier for your body to push the stool through your intestines and relieve constipation. Add a daily fiber supplement to bulk up your stool. If you're concerned that you're still not getting enough fiber from the foods you eat, buy a daily fiber supplement that contains 6 to 9 grams of fiber. Follow the manufacturer's dosing instructions and ensure that you drink more liquids than usual to help pass the stool. Purchase fiber supplements in capsule or powder form. Avoid eating foods that take longer to digest. Don't eat foods that contain little or no fiber while you're trying to relieve constipation. These can slow digestion and make it harder to pass stool. Try to eliminate these from your diet while you're constipated: Chips or fried foods Processed food, such as fast food or frozen meals Meat, especially sausages or hot dogs Dairy White bread and pasta Drink water throughout the day to soften your stool. Although daily water intake varies from person to person, it's important to drink more water than you usually do, especially if you're increasing the fiber in your diet. Staying hydrated helps the fiber work better and prevents the stool from becoming too hard. Drinking warm water and clear soups can also help to fight constipation and keep you hydrated. Drink prune, apple, or pear juice to relieve constipation. These juices contain sorbitol, which is a sugar alcohol that has a laxative effect. Drink a glass or two of these juices throughout the day. They'll also help you stay hydrated. Choose juices that don't have added sugars or sweeteners. Have a cup of coffee if it usually stimulates a bowel movement. Coffee is a diuretic so you should limit the amount you drink or you may become dehydrated. If drinking a cup of hot coffee usually causes you to rush to the toilet, have a cup and see if it relieves your constipation. If you prefer, drink decaffeinated coffee for the same effect on your bowels. Sip hot herbal tea containing senna to produce a bowel movement. Buy an herbal tea that contains senna leaves or powder, which is a natural laxative. Drink a cup of senna tea 2 times a day until you pass stool. It usually takes between 6 and 8 hours for the tea to take effect. 
Try an osmotic laxative or stool softener to make the stool easier to pass. Take mineral oil to coat the lining of your intestines so the stool slides out easier. Take an Epsom salt laxative if an osmotic laxative or stool softener doesn't work. Use an oral over-the-counter stimulant laxative for serious constipation. Try a suppository if laxatives don't work. Get medical attention if you're constipated for more than 3 days. Include high-fiber whole grains at every meal. Eat high-fiber fruits and vegetables throughout the day. Add a daily fiber supplement to bulk up your stool. Avoid eating foods that take longer to digest. Drink water throughout the day to soften your stool. Drink prune, apple, or pear juice to relieve constipation. Have a cup of coffee if it usually stimulates a bowel movement. Sip hot herbal tea containing senna to produce a bowel movement. 