Hey Doc, ever since my laryngectomy I seem to have trouble with constipation every once in a while and I really haven’t changed my diet. Why is that?
In order to have a natural bowel movement you need to strain a little. Normally straining is done by closing the vocal cords and increasing the pressure in your chest by exhaling against the closed vocal cords. The same thing happens when you strain to lift a heavy object. Without a larynx you can’t strain normally because your stoma will not allow you to restrict the outflow of air from your lungs. The solution then is to eat a diet which will provide a large amount of bulk to your stool as in a diet high in fiber …your basic old healthy fruits and vegetable diet along with grain products that don’t have all the “good” refined out of them. You also want to stay very well hydrated with plenty of water, juices and liquids. mardigrasbar.gif Dr. Glenn E.
