1. Drink around 3 liters of fluid everyday, including water, tea, coffee, mild, juice, sambar, rasam etc.  Drinking plenty of fluids, which will help the digestion of fibres.
2. Avoid carbonated drinks (Pepsi, coke, etc) may cause bloating.
3. Have Warm drink, as soon as you get up in the morning.  Will help to improve the bowel movement

1. Eat foods which create more bulk (like whole grains, vegetables, fruits)
2. Avoid low fiber starchy food (like bread..)
3. Prune and dried fruits are great, as they are natural laxatives

1. Exercises will help in reliving / preventing Constipation.  Work out daily morning
2. Stress of pelvic muscles exercises (walking, stretching hips, etc)
3. A scheduled daily exercises in the early morning will help to improve the constipation

1. Have bowel schedule – that is daily at a fixed time, go and sit on the “Potty job” whether you have sensations or not.
2. Simple exercises and drinking fluids before the “Potty job” will help
3. Use a comfortable / relaxed position (if required, use a small stool to support your foot on the western style lavatories)
4. Reduce stressors
5. Finally if nothing works, speak to your doctor for laxatives (next step)

If non medication methods does not work, then laxatives would be prescribed by your doctor.   There are different types of laxatives which either work as bulk forming agent or as stimulant for bowel movement.  Your doctor would be in best position to suggest, which suits you the most.

Point of caution :

Overuse of laxatives, may cause dependence on them. Some of the laxatives are high in sugar, and may not suit diabetic patients.  Some laxatives have magensium and pottasium, which will not be suitable for kidney dysfunction patients, and some have high sodium levels affecting blood pressure.  Speak to your treating doctor before taking any laxatives.