Home Remedies for Constipation

Title: Home Remedies for Constipation

Related Phrases: constipation, home remedy, natural ways to help constipation

Article length: 500-1500 words

Constipation isn’t something that people like to talk about, but it is something that happens to most people at some point in their lives. For those who experience this problem, it can be painful and frustrating. Fortunately, in most cases it can be easily treated at home with one of the many natural ways to help constipation.

Constipation Defined

The frequency of bowel movements varies greatly from one person to another, so defining constipation can be a challenging undertaking. For some people, a bowel movement can occur three times a day while others normally have one just 3 times a week. In general, signs that you might be suffering from constipation are difficulty or straining during bowel movements, less frequent bowel movements over a period of three months or more, less than two bowel movements per week, and hard stools more than 25% of the time.

Causes of Constipation

Constipation can be caused by a number of factors. It is important to determine what is causing your constipation so that you can decide on the best course of treatment. Some potential causes of constipation include:

• Dehydration or not drinking enough water regularly
• Insufficient fiber consumption
• Using laxatives too frequently
• Eating too much dairy
• Stress
• Travel
• Changes in diet or routine
• Over the counter medications such as antacids containing aluminum or calcium
• Prescription medications including narcotics and antidepressants
• Pregnancy
• Colon cancer
• Hypothyroidism

Treatment for Constipation

There are many ways that you can treat your constipation at home. Just as the causes of this condition can vary, the methods of treating it can take many forms. The most effective treatment will address the cause of the constipation. For example, a dietary cause such as lack of fiber is best treated by adding fiber to your diet rather than taking a laxative. Treatments for constipation can include dietary changes, lifestyle alterations, and medications.

Treating Constipation Through Diet

One of the easiest natural ways to ease constipation is to change your diet. This is a home remedy that is highly effective especially if your constipation is caused by the foods you eat. Some ways you can change your diet to have more regular, easier bowel movements are:

• Adding fiber-rich foods to your diet such as legumes, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables
• Reducing the amount of dairy you consume
• Drinking enough water, at least eight glass daily
• Drinking warm, caffeine-free liquids in the morning

Lifestyle Changes That Improve Constipation

In addition to diet, your lifestyle also affects the way your bowels work and whether or not they are functioning properly. You can alleviate constipation by giving yourself sufficient time to have a bowel movement, going to the bathroom promptly when you feel that you need to have a bowel movement, and incorporating regular exercise into your daily life. Additionally, adhering to a regular routine can help your intestinal regularity.

Constipation Medications

In addition to natural ways to help constipation, there are both over the counter and prescription medications that treat this condition. Over the counter ways to help constipation include laxatives and supplements while prescription medications are usually reserved to treat severe constipation that cannot be relieved through any of the home remedies. Popular over the counter treatments for constipation are fiber supplements, stimulant laxatives, mild stool softeners, and enemas.

• Fiber supplements are probably the safest form of laxative as they use a naturally occurring substance trigger movement in the intestines. They can come in a pill form or as a powder that you mix into water before consuming.
• Stimulant laxatives use chemicals to trigger muscle contractions in the intestines, resulting in bowel movements. Although these laxatives can be an effective short-term solution, they can result in dependency if used for too long.
• Mild stool softeners such as Milk of Magnesia are a better choice than stimulant laxatives for stubborn constipation.
• Enemas are another home remedy that causes the colon to contract and result in a bowel movement. There are many types of enemas available at your local drugstore.

Although it is uncomfortable and unpleasant to be constipated, making simple changes to your lifestyle and diet may be enough to restore regular bowel movements. If this is not the case, contact your medical professional for additional solutions.