>Does anybody know what will help if a person suffers from severe constipation?

some suggestions:
--drink lots of water, more than you think you need to, probably.
--try not to drink as much tea.
--aim for 25-30 grams of fiber/day - nuts have lots of fiber, as do
vegetables.  have salads, vegetable soup, celery sticks in nut butter.
--eat figs!
--get enough exercise.

JoAnn.