What Can You Do?
It is important to be aware of what you can do to maintain a healthy lifestyle. There are many aspects of everyday life that affect the regularity and comfort of your bowel movements. Your daily routine should include eating low-fat foods that are high in fiber, drinking plenty of fluids, exercising regularly, and making time to use the bathroom. If you travel, try to stick to your normal diet and sleep schedule.
DRINK PLENTY OF FLUIDS
Water and other fluids play an essential role in regularity. Water is vital in keeping the colon from becoming dehydrated, as dehydration can lead to constipation. Drinking water or juice, about eight, 8-ounce glasses per day, will add fluid to the colon for hydration and add bulk to the stool, making bowel movements an easier experience. It may be helpful to use several sources of fluid, which may include coffee, tea, soft drinks and soups as well as water and juices.
EAT THE GOOD STUFF
Your daily diet is also vital to staying regular and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Reduce the foods high in fat such as cheese, eggs, and meats. Increase your intake of vegetables, fruits, bran, and whole grains, which contain fiber. Foods high in fiber don't dissolve in water and therefore pass through your digestive system largely unchanged. Fiber is an important factor in keeping constipation at bay. It provides the bulk needed by the colon to function properly. People who eat plenty of high-fiber foods are less likely to become constipated.
INDICATIONS AND USAGE: KRISTALOSE® (LACTULOSE) For Oral Solution is indicated for the treatment of constipation. In patients with a history of chronic constipation, lactulose therapy increases the number of bowel movements per day and the number of days on which bowel movements occur.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION: Initial dosing may produce flatulence and intestinal cramps, which are usually transient. KRISTALOSE is contraindicated in patients who require a low-galactose diet and should be used with caution in diabetics. Excessive dosage can lead to diarrhea with potential complications, such as loss of fluids, hypokalemia, and hyperatremia. Nausea and vomiting have been reported.
