Very Hard Stools

[jasonD2]

Anyone have any recommendations for hard stools? I have the urge to have a BM every day, but they are always very difficult to pass in the beginning. i have to strain, hold back, strain and hold back to let a little out at a time or else my hemmorhoids will act up. When its over im in pain and theres a small amt of external bleeding.

fiber doesnt seem to be the answer for me cause it just bloats me up big time.

any recommendations?

[ravenwoodglass]

This sort of thing can be a result of intolerances, are you consuming dairy or soy? If you are you may want to eliminate them one at a time and see if this stops.

If you have already eliminated and are sure it is a fiber issue then one of the best ways to regulate is sweet potatoes, they work for both D and C. Try adding one a day, I like to boil them in chunks then saute with a bit of brown sugar and cinnamon. They can also be cut and baked like oven fries or be baked 'in their jackets' and eaten plain. I get severely 'stopped up' when soy sneaks in and the sweet potato works without pain by the next day.

Also try to increase your fruit and veggie intake a bit, that will help also.

[RiceGuy]

One thing I know works for sure is magnesium. Try the magnesium citrate powder, like in a glass of orange juice. Start with the suggested dose on the label, and work your way up to the amount which is comfortable for you. The acidic juice magnifies absorption, hence the effectiveness. Magnesium draws water to the intestinal tract.