Preventing Constipation During Wilderness Activities: A Comprehensive Guide

Many conditions can cause a person to become constipated. These conditions may be heightened when engaging in wilderness activities. Avoid constipation to prevent the more serious condition of impacted stool.

Things You'll Need

• Evacuation Plan
• Wilderness First Aid Classes
• Dried Fruits
• Fruits
• Milk Of Magnesia
• First Aid Kits
• Laxatives
• Stool Softeners
• Evacuation Insurance

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Instructions

• 1

  Hydrate well by drinking at least 2 quarts of water per day.

• 2

  Avoid starch and meats if you start to experience symptoms of constipation.

• 3

  Eat plenty of fruits, leafy vegetables, bran and high-fiber cereals. Dried fruits such as apricots, dates and prunes are a great way to get fiber while backpacking.

• 4

  Encourage regular bowel rhythms by eating meals as regularly as possible.

• 5

  Find a place to squat daily to encourage a bowel movement, even if you don't feel you need to defecate. Many people become constipated when backpacking because they want to avoid defecating in the wilderness.

• 6

  Pay attention to how frequently you have bowel movements when backpacking. If you have gone several days without defecating you may be in danger of fecal impaction.

• 7

  Treat constipation aggressively if it has gone on for four or five days or longer. Administer a stool softener, laxative, or milk of magnesia. (See "How to Treat An Impacted Stool.")