When you suffer from constipation, wouldn’t you rather put a natural stool softener into your body than a harsh laxative or commercial one that may make you feel even worse?
Constipation is a problem effecting millions of people everyday. It can be caused by anxiety and stress as well as eating the wrong foods such as a diet high in meat and dairy products, not getting enough water into your system, or even certain medications. Experts say we should have two or more bowel movements every day in order to flush out the necessary toxins, although for some people a bowel movement every second day can still be considered normal. One of the first signs of constipation is a headache as a result of the excess toxins followed by sharp pains in the lower stomach or even bloating.
The most natural natural stool softener is water. It takes the recommended eight glasses of fluids a day (which can include your coffee, tea, juices, etc.) to allow your colon to use the fluid in your stool to help transfer of fecal matter to the large intestines. There much of the water is reabsorbed for hydration and to balance your electrolytes. Not enough water leads to a dry and hard stool.
Coffee in the morning stimulates the metabolism and acts as a mild diuretic while prune juice is an excellent natural laxative.
Eating more fiber or taking a fiber supplement helps regulate the fluid in the stool by adding bulk to fecal matter and attracting water to it. Fresh fruit, vegetables, bran, and whole grain foods are excellent fiber sources.
Yogurt with its probiotics promotes healthy intestinal flora and aids in regularity.
Are you aware that exercise and physical activity increases your metabolism and moves stuff around in order to avoid constipation? So be as active as possible.
For temporary and infrequent relief, mineral oil is a natural stool softener if taken before bed so it can work overnight.
Senna is used even in hospitals for constipation and can be purchased to be used in a tasty tea. Hot fluids help to initiate bowel movements.
Try to be patient because it sometimes takes one to three days for natural stool softeners to take effect. Take the softener at night before bed with 8 ounces of water or juice. Read the dosage directions.
Confer with your doctor about your desired stool softener program and diet.
