Prevention

You may be able to lower your chances of small bowel prolapse with these strategies:

• Maintain a healthy weight. If you're overweight, losing some weight can decrease the pressure inside your abdomen.
• Prevent constipation. Eat high-fiber foods, drink plenty of fluids and exercise regularly to help prevent having to strain during bowel movements.
• Treat a chronic cough. Constant coughing increases abdominal pressure. See your doctor to ask about treatment if you have an ongoing (chronic) cough.
• Quit smoking. Smoking contributes to chronic coughing.
• Avoid heavy lifting. Lifting heavy objects increases abdominal pressure.