How to Relieve Constipation

Jane — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 11:50:23 +0000

Constipation is a common condition that will effect almost everyone at some time in their life, although some people may have a much harder time with this digestive ailment than others. There is no strict rule for determining what constipation is -it can vary by person. Not everyone has a bowel movement every day and some may only have three or four a week which can still be considered normal, but any less than that is constipation if it is conjuction with any discomfort. Hard stools or having difficulty passing a stool is also constipation and it can cause many problems from pain to bloating and lack of energy or even poor immune function.
Many factors affect digestion and bowel movement frequency. The foods you eat, whether or not you exercise, water intake, and even the layout of your digestive tract can play a part in the problem. In general, it can be caused when food lingers too long in the large intestine where water is extracted the food you have eaten which means that the remaining food in the tract becomes hard and difficult to budge. Other causes of constipation can be stress, not eating enough fiber, not going to the bathroom when you feel the urge, taking too much iron and taking certain drugs/painkillers.

A raft of medical conditions may also result in forms of constipation. These include pregnancy, irritable bowel syndrome, diabetes, muscle or nerve problems, and a malfunctioning thyroid gland. A physical examination may be needed to determine the exact cause of constipation, and this should be done if the problem is persistent or interferes with your lifestyle. Procedures like colorectal transit studies, colonoscopy, and sigmoidoscopy are a few familiar tests that can be helpful for diagnosis of the reasons for persistent constipation.

General advice to relieve constipation usually includes eating more fiber in the diet and drinking more water. Certain fruits, vegetables, and grains are very helpful for proper digestion. Prunes, squash, beans and whole grain cereals are often recommended, along with many others. Getting enough exercise and going to the bathroom frequently are important. Only use laxatives upon your doctor’s advice, although some over the counter remedies are perfectly safe to try such as Metamucil or Sienna tablets. Consult with your doctor or pharmacist, however, if you have an existing medical condition which may be causing the constipation and if you are on any medications which can be effected by over the counter remedies.

Constipation is a difficult and sometimes painful problem but it can be corrected and managed with the right treatment and lifestyle changes.

Constipation remedies

Jane — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 12:25:43 +0000

Constipation is usually defined as having three or less bowel movements in one week. If you are constipated, you may find it painful to pass a stool, and your stool might be hard or unusually dry. For some people, constipation can also make you feel bloated and lethargic. Constipation can be due to several reasons but the most common cause by far is diet and lifestyle. Constipation usually happens when food travels through your intestine too slowly. This means that too much water is absorbed, and your stool becomes hard and dry. The reason that food travels too slowly through your intestine is that you might not have enough roughage in your diet, which helps to form stools that can be pushed through. Fortunately, constipation remedies for this condition are fairly easy to include in your diet.

Diet & exercise
One of the best remedies for constipation that is related to lifestyle is to change your diet. Foods that are high in fibre can help a lot – try to get lots of fruits and vegetables in your diet. Another good remedy for constipation is to eat foods that include whole grains. Including bran in your breakfast is a great way to increase your fiber intake. You can also try wholemeal and wholegrain breads, and lots of pulses (beans, split peas, chick peas) While eating more fiber is important, make sure that you drink plenty of water too. Authorities recommend that men drink around 3 litres per day, and women a little over 2. If you aren’t drinking this much water or other fluid such as juice every day, this might be the cause of your constipation.

Another cause of constipation can be medication that you are taking. A range of medications can cause constipation, including:

Painkillers
Diuretics
Anti-epileptics
Antidiarrheals
Iron Supplements
Antidepressants
Antacids

If you suffer constipation while taking these medications, talk to your doctor about how to treat the constipation or what alternative medications you might try to avoid the side effect.

Some constipation home remedies beyond simple dietary changes include:

Natural supplements like flax seeds, Psyllium husks
Vitamin C and Magnesium supplements
The ubiquitous prune juice

Medication options that can be prescribed by your doctor include stool softeners which can make a stool easier to pass or a range of laxatives that help your bowel to expel its contents. These treatment options are generally used after natural remedies like changes to diet, and long term use should be avoided.

Constipation can also be caused by:

Disorders of the nervous system
Spinal Cord Injuries
Hypothyroidism
Pregnancy
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Diabetes

Constipation remedies for these conditions might include an over the counter or home remedy like prune juice or increased fiber in the form of flax seeds or Psyllium husks. Your doctor might also prescribe a laxative or stool softener. It is important to seek medical advice if you suffer from chronic constipation, particularly if it is likely to be related to one of these conditions.

Diarrhea & Constipation Remedies » remedies for constipation

How to Relieve Constipation

Constipation remedies