Top Remedies for Constipation
Remedies for Constipation
Constipation makes it very difficult passing solid waste from the body. It can really be an annoying and frustrating problem – especially when it becomes persistent. If you are reading this article, then there is a high likelihood that you are suffering from constipation and are looking for fast and effective ways to solve your problem of constipation.
I am therefore not going to waste your time by beating about the bush. So without further ado, let us delve right into some of the best remedies for constipation.
Treatment for constipation
Below are some of the best ways to treat constipation. And the best thing about these methods of treating constipation is the fact that they can all be done from the comfort of your home. In other words, they are home treatments.
Use exercise to treat constipation
Never take the power of exercise (especially regular exercise) for granted. Personally I think that there is no medicine as powerful as exercise, which is why I don’t joke with my daily exercises. We all know exercise keeps us healthy but what some of us might not know is that exercise is also an effective remedy for constipation. Yes you heard me right! Exercise can give you relief from that annoying constipation plaguing your life. According to health experts, engaging in simple exercises such as jogging and walking for 20 minutes or more on a daily basis plays a significant role in treating your constipation problem. This is totally true because I have experienced it myself. I have been exercising almost every single day since the beginning of this year, and have stopped experiencing problems with constipation. Prior to making exercise part of my life, I used to experience constipation problems from time to time, but now I don’t experience that problem anymore. I am able to have my bowel movements at least once every day without encountering any problem.
If you are reading this and you happen to be suffering from constipation, my advice to you is to make exercise a habit. Not only will regular exercise treat your constipation but it will also keep you strong and healthy.
Drink lots of water
Doctors say that one of the biggest causes of constipation is as a result of not taking in sufficient water. You can read more about the causes of constipation here. If insufficient intake of water is a major cause of constipation, then it goes without saying that drinking lots of water can prevent constipation. I remember a doctor once said these words to a patient suffering from constipation: “How can you not expect to be constipated when you don’t drink enough water?” I will never forget those words. It is totally true – water plays an important role in treating constipation in the sense that when you take enough water it helps in softening your stool, thereby making bowel movements less difficult for you. Health experts advise us to try and take at least 8 glasses of water every day. If you can take more than that, then that is even better. I wonder how many glasses of water you take every day! I must confess that sometimes it isn’t easy drinking that amount of water every day, but whether you like it or not, it is imperative that you drink at least 8 glasses of water on a daily basis. This is for the sake of your health.
NOTE: If you have a serious condition such as a heart problem or a kidney problem, then you need to speak with your doctor first with regard to how much water you should be taking every day. This is very important.
Stay away from foods that dehydrate you if you want to treat constipation
You have just been told that drinking water is great for fighting constipation. This means that in order to effectively treat constipation, the body must be thoroughly hydrated. And to achieve that, you need to not only drink lots of water but also stay away from foods that cause you to be dehydrated. And since alcoholic beverages cause dehydration, it is imperative that you avoid drinking these beverages. Another common food that causes dehydration is caffeine or caffeineated beverages. Stay away from these beverages too.
Prevent constipation with a healthy diet
I cannot talk about the home remedies for constipation without mentioning how important regularly eating a healthy diet is in order to achieve that goal. A healthy diet is good for the overall health of the body. It is common knowledge that people who regularly eat healthy diets are healthier than people who do not. What really is a healthy diet? A healthy diet is one that consists mainly of natural foods. When we talk of a healthy diet, we are talking about eating more fruits, vegetables, and grains and less of processed foods.
Besides being utterly good for your health, natural foods such as fruits, grains, vegetables, etc have lots of fiber in them. Fiber works wonders in giving you relief from constipation because it helps the digestive system to work very well. This is the reason why when you are suffering from constipation and you see a doctor, one of the things that he or she tells you to do is to add more fiber in your diet. Examples of foods that are loaded with fiber include: berries, prunes, beans, apples, nuts, broccoli, etc.
Use prune juice to treat constipation
Another great home remedy for constipation is to drink prune juice. Prune juice is said to be a natural laxative because the prune fruit not only contains a huge amount of fiber but it also has a compound called sorbitol which is a very effective stool softener.
According to health experts, all you need to do to get some relief from that bothersome constipation is to take two glasses of prune juice every day. The first glass should be taken in the morning and the second glass should be taken at night.
While you can eat the prune fruit itself to achieve the same goal, taking the prune juice is better since you’d be taking in liquid as well, which we all know plays an instrumental role in battling constipation.
NOTE: Taking too much prune juice can end up making your stool too soft to the point where you might end up suffering from diarrhea. Just take it easy with the prune juice.
Recommended methods
Of all the methods used in treating constipation mentioned above, I personally think that the most effective of them all are the following ones:
- Regularly engaging in exercise: At least 30 minutes of exercises such as jogging and walking most days of the week is okay. Doing this will keep you healthy and at the same time protect you from suffering from constipation.
- Eating a healthy diet every day: Don’t spend your money and time eating fast foods and all manners of processed foods. Add more fruits and vegetables to your diet and treat your constipation problem.
- Drink plenty of water: You should endeavor to drink at least 8 glasses of water every day. The more water you drink, the more your risks of suffering from constipation are reduced. And on top of that you are going to be healthy.
The reason I recommend the above methods to you is simply because in addition to being very effective in treating constipation, they are also extremely good for your health.
If you are still constipated
If you are still experiencing constipation after doing the things mentioned above, then it is now time to do the following:
- Use very good and safe laxatives such as Milk of Magnesia. I strongly recommend Phillips' Fresh Mint Milk of Magnesia.
- Use a good stool softener to soften your stool and make it easier to pass. One of the most effective stool softeners out there recommended by health experts is Colace.
- You can also add synthetic fiber to your diet. One of the best synthetic fibers that health experts recommend is Citrucel.
NOTE: It is imperative that you visit your doctor’s office if after doing all the things mentioned in this article, your constipation still exists or comes with other problems such as rectal pain and blood in the stool.