Final answer:
Common strategies for managing constipation include avoiding constipation, ensuring adequate intake of fluids and fiber, and facilitating exercise.
Step-by-step explanation:
Constipation is the bowel problem being discussed here. Common strategies for managing constipation include:
- Avoiding constipation by maintaining regular bowel habits
- Ensuring an adequate intake of fluids and fiber
- Facilitating adequate exercise
- Weaning from bowel medications if possible
- Using a bathroom schedule based on the patient's usual time of defecation
- Using suppositories or mini enemas to stimulate emptying at a predictable time, if bathroom scheduling is ineffective
- Making sure it is easy for the patient to get to the bathroom in a timely manner
These strategies help promote regular bowel movements and prevent constipation.