The amount of soluble and insoluble fiber varies in biwel plant foods. Deutsch JK, Hass DJ. Read this next.

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Archives of Cardiovascular Disease. Duyff RL. Carbs: Sugars, starches, and fiber. In: Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Complete Food and Nutrition Guide. New York, N. Nutrition facts label: Dietary fiber.

Food and Drug Administration. Accessed Oct. Veronese N, et al. Dietary fiber and health outcomes: An umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Song M, et al.

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Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; chap Deutsch JK, Hass DJ. Complementary, alternative, and integrative medicine. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. Iturrino JC, Lembo AJ. Pardi DS, Cotter TG. Other diseases of the colon. Updated by: Michael M.

Phillips, MD, Emeritus Professor of Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A. Editorial team. Bowel retraining. Problems that may benefit from bowel retraining include: Fecal incontinence , which is the loss of bowel control, causing you to pass stool unexpectedly and involuntarily.

This can range from sometimes leaking a small amount of stool and passing gas, to not being able to control bowel movements. Severe constipation. These problems may be caused by: Brain and nerve problems such as from multiple sclerosis Emotional problems Spinal cord damage Previous surgery Childbirth Overuse of laxatives The bowel program includes several steps to help you have regular bowel movements.

DIET Making the following changes to your diet will help you have regular, soft, bulky stools: Eat high- fiber foods such as whole-wheat grains, fresh vegetables, and beans.

Use products containing psyllium, such as Metamucil, to add bulk to the stools. Try to drink 2 to 3 liters of fluid a day unless you have a medical condition that requires you to restrict your fluid intake.

BOWEL TRAINING You can use digital stimulation to trigger a bowel movement: Insert a lubricated finger into the anus. Move it in a circle until the sphincter muscle relaxes. This may take a few minutes.

After you have done the stimulation, sit in a normal position for a bowel movement. If you are able to walk, sit on the toilet or bedside commode.

If you are confined to the bed, use a bedpan. Get into as close to a sitting position as possible. If you are unable to sit, lie on your left side. Try to get as much privacy as you can.

Some people find that reading while sitting on the toilet helps them relax. If you do not have a bowel movement within 20 minutes, repeat the process. Try to contract the muscles of the abdomen and bear down while releasing the stool. You may find it helpful to bend forward while bearing down.

This increases the pressure within the abdomen and helps empty the bowel. Perform stimulation with your finger every day until you start to have a regular pattern of bowel movements. You can also stimulate bowel movements by using a suppository glycerin or bisacodyl or a small enema.

Some people find it helpful to drink warm prune juice or fruit nectar.

Official websites use. gov A. gov healthyy belongs heapthy an Maintaining healthy bowel habits government organization in the United States. gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. A program of bowel retraining, Kegel exercisesor biofeedback therapy may be used by people to help improve their bowel movements.