Managing OIC | UnPause The Gut

OIC has a significant impact on the quality of life and can also interfere with pain relief. If you think you may have OIC it is important that you first talk to your doctor about it. Your doctor will guide you here; but you have several recommendations that can help you to improve your symptoms if you have been given a diagnosis of OIC:

Here are some lifestyle changes that could help you:

1.

Drink more fluids (water, tea, coffee, juices etc.) Aim for 6–8 cups altogether, or around 2 litres of fluids, every day¹ unless you have been told by your doctor to restrict your fluid intake.
2.

Eat more fiber (up to 25–30 grams of a fibre source, per day). You can get this through a balanced diet that includes fruits like apples, bananas, prunes, pears, and raspberries. Vegetables like broccoli, spinach, kale, squash. Legumes such as lentils, peas, and beans. You can also gradually introduce or increase your intake of bran cereal, oatmeal, whole grains, nuts, and seeds.¹
3.

Avoid anything with psyllium, as this can worsen your OIC symptoms.¹
4

Do more exercise. You don’t need to run a marathon, but a short brisk walk every day is a great start, if you can manage it. This might mean giving up your car or public transport and not taking the lift/escalator, and instead, making your way on foot and taking the stairs.¹
5.

You can also maintain a toilet diary. This can really help to identify any changes to your OIC, which is helpful for your healthcare professional during your regular checkups.¹