Constipation or irregular bowel movement is a common digestive complaint which relates to infrequent bowel movement (less then three times a week) and passing hard, dry and painful stool. The waste remains in the colon for a longer period and makes a person feel uncomfortable, bloated and strained while passing stool.
There are many reasons of being constipated like not having a fiber rich diet, having junk food, dehydration, eating too much fiber without drinking enough water, lack of exercise, nervous conditions, pregnancy, pain killers and changes in diet. Some medical conditions and diseases can also cause constipation like thyroid problems, colon malfunction, circulatory disorders and diverticulitis.
Home Remedies For Constipation
Regular bowel movement helps us to remove toxins and waste from our body and keep us healthy and active. There are excellent ways to treat constipation naturally and getting balance of the body back without taking prescription drugs.
Fiber
Eat fiber rich foods. Most often, low fiber diet becomes a major cause of constipation. Fiber, being insoluble, provides bulk and soft texture to the stool and helps the stool to pass easily.
For eating fiber rich foods, include whole grains like wheat bran, brown rice, oats, whole grain bread and lots fruits and vegetables, prunes and figs in your diet.
Flaxseeds
Flaxseed is a great natural remedy for getting rid of constipation as it is not only high in fiber, but high in most B vitamins, magnesium, and manganese as well.
It promotes proper functioning of the intestine and stabilizes blood sugar. Drink enough water when you take fibrous foods and supplements otherwise it can have opposite effect on your digestive system.
Fluids
Increase your intake of water and fluids like juice, soup and warm milk. Drinking enough water and fluids helps a lot when you have constipation by making the stool softer and easier to pass.
Magnesium
For fast relief, use magnesium sulfate in your drinks. Deficiency of mineral magnesium can contribute to irregular bowel movement. It induces bowel movement within a couple of hours. The natural sources of magnesium include green leafy vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds.
Yogurt
Plain yogurt containing active cultures can help to ease the bowel movement by balancing the gut flora. Stay away from using flavored yogurt available in the market as they kill active cultures present in yogurt. Probiotic powders can also be added to the yogurt to increase its effectiveness.
Hot Bath And Abdominal Massage
To stimulate bowel movement, taking hot water bath and then massaging the lower abdomen in clockwise motion can help by easing the natural path of bowel.
Prune Juice And Hot Tea
Drinking hot and cold beverages can help to stimulate the bowel movement. Dilute prune juice with water or apple juice to help get the bowel moving. Drinking a cup of hot tea within an hour will be an effective remedy to ease the bowel movement. Constipation is basically a symptom of a problem related to your diet. Neglecting this problem means inviting a bigger problem.
Use of chemicals or artificial laxatives may help to get relief fast, but in the long run they can harm you digestive system. The best way to ease the bowel movement is to drink plenty of water, eat plenty of raw vegetables and fruits and stay away from junk foods, alcoholic and caffeinated beverages.
Caution: Please use Home Remedies after Proper Research and Guidance. You accept that you are following any advice at your own risk and will properly research or consult healthcare professional.