Saturday, January 24, 2009

Bowel Obstruction Symptoms

Some of the symptoms of an obstructed bowel include bloating, swelling, and abdominal discomfort. For many people, changing diet can help with constipation symptoms, especially if the current diet is not tailored specifically to aid efficient digestion.

In general, most obstructed bowel sufferers will benefit from cutting out or reducing some or all of the following foods:

Foods that contain dairy products like cheese or ice cream

Chocolate

White Rice

Alcohol

White Flour Products

Carbonated drinks

Refined Starchy Carbs

Food high in fat

Coffee and other highly caffeinated drinks, including some sodas.

It is definitely worth keeping a watchful eye on the above foods if you do still include them in your diet, ensure you look for any symptoms you may develop after consumption.

The good news is there are some foods that can really help with constipation when you are suffering with some of the symptoms of an obstructed bowel. Generally, it has been found that foods high in fiber can help the symptoms of constipation by softening the stools, bulking them up and making them easier to pass.

Foods high in fiber include bran, beans, raw nuts, cereal, fruit, bread, and vegetables.

It is important that fiber is added to the diet slowly to allow the body and the digestive system to get used it. Adding fiber too quickly can cause bloating and gas and actually make your symptoms temporarily worse.

In addition to increasing the intake of fiber rich foods, there is also the option to take fiber supplements. These are usually taken as a tablet, or powder that is mixed with water. However, it is important to speak with your nutritionist or doctor beforehand to be sure that this treatment is suitable for your symptoms.

Regular exercise is a good way to alleviate constipation. It is recommended that you exercise (this can just be taking a brisk walk) at least three times per week. The body movement helps with the process of eliminating waste products.

Drinking about 6 to 8 glasses of water per day can help with constipation too, as allowing the body to stay hydrated improves the chance of better digestion.

Finally, try and reduce the size of the meals you eat, and eat more regularly. This can really help with the bowel obstruction symptoms, as smaller meals allows for more effective digestion of a meal, prior to adding an additional burden to the digestive system.

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