Constipation means irregular bowel movement or difficulty experienced in passing stool. Though constipation is not considered as a serious problem, people suffering from constipation feel uneasy and uncomfortable throughout the day. If constipation persists for a long time, it can lead to many other diseases. Before we find out how to cure constipation, let us see what causes constipation.

Constipation is caused due to following:

• Drinking less water and fluid during the day.
• Irregular food habits and not taking a balanced diet.
• Inadequate sleep
• Stress
• Frequent use of anta acids
• Lack of physical exercise or sedentary lifestyle

Having looked at the causes of constipation, let us see how to cure constipation.

• Drink a minimum of 8 to 10 glasses of water every day.
• Eat 4 to 5 servings of fruits everyday. Fruits contain lot of fibers. Fibers help to create bulk in stool. Banana is particularly good for people suffering from constipation. Prunes help in softening of the stool. If you are not allergic to citric juices, take a glass of fresh orange juice every day.
• Drink one glass of warm water mixed with one teaspoon of honey and lime juice every morning. If you are suffering from ulcer, then lime should not be used.
• Laxatives should be used only occasionally. When you take laxatives too often, it will hamper with the natural capacity of the bowel movements.
• Take one teaspoon of castor oil mixed with one teaspoon of honey and a few drops of lime juice. This is a natural laxative and can be used once in a week.
• A glass of warm milk before bed time can help relieve constipation.
• Take a walk every morning for about 20 minutes.
• Sleep regularly for 7 to 8 hours every day. Maintain a schedule for bed time.
• Avoid oily and deep fried food, as it can cause constipation.
• Eat light food at night and keep a gap of 3 to 4 hours between dinner and bed time.
• Drinking hot cup of tea helps to increase bowel movements.

As can be seen from the above, you can easily overcome the problem of how to cure constipation by making small lifestyle changes. If the constipation is not cured for a long time, in spite of your efforts, then it is better to consult a doctor, because, sometimes, constipation could be the result of some underlying diseases such as colitis, Crohn’s disease or colon cancer.