diets with a high fibre content are effective in increasing stool weight and bowel movement frequency
the effects of a high fibre diet (e.g. approximately 30g per day) may occur after a few days
however a high fibre diet should be tried for at least a month before its effects are determined
it is important to ensure an adequate fluid intake (e.g. two litres of water/day) if a patient is on a high fibre diet
note though that drinking this amount of fluid is problematic for some people
a high-fibre diet should be used with caution in patients who have obstructive symptoms or faecal impaction, and may be ineffective in slow-transit constipation (e.g. secondary to opioid use) or if constipation is caused by a defecatory disorder (1)
there is evidence from observational studies suggest an association between constipation and reduced physical activity - therefore encouraging exercise is especially good health advice for patients with constipation, where lack of mobility may be a contributing factor
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