For the really serious constipation (talking days here), nothing works like a warm-water enema. Much safer than those chemical methods too. Phenol (the main ingredient in most chemical laxatives) isn't terribly good for you-- which is why your body works so hard to flush it out the back end, thereby ending constipation.

To avoid getting constipation in the first place, lots of water and fibrous foods, as has already been mentioned. Back when this was a major problem for me, I was drinking Metamucil (brand name for flavoured psyllium powder) in orange juice twice a day. Bleh.

Good luck. Hope it all works out in the end.

Alex
O..O
=o=