A person is technically considered to be suffering from constipation if he has a bowel movement fewer than three times a week. The stools that are passed are usually hard, dry, clumped together or in small lumps and are usually difficult to expel. It is painful to some and for some, a feeling of bloating is common.

Who gets constipation? It is extremely common in the United States as more than 4 million Americans complain of constipation. The most common complaints come from women, senior citizens and pregnant women. It is also common in other parts of the ‘civilized’ world where toxic levels are high.

The colon that is weak and unable to push the stool down its track fast enough is one reason why we constipate. Lack of fiber and water in our diet is another.

Lack of exercise also complicates this condition, as does some types of prescription medication. Even if you don’t feel like it at the moment, taking a walk is useful. In fact, walking at least thirty minutes is as good for colon function as it is protective for your heart. That’s like getting a bonus for the same amount of effort. If you can get regular exercise, it is even better.

Drink Up Your H2O

Drinking at least 6-8 glasses of water a day is necessary for colon health. Thirst is not a good measure of when to drink. It usually means that you are already dehydrated! Set aside a small pitcher or water bottle with that exact amount and don’t stop drinking until the last drop is gone. Take regular sips whether you are thirsty or not.

It may seem like a lot, but if you space it over the day, it really isn’t. If drinking pure water is difficult, you may add some lemon slices for flavor. Sugary sodas and caffeine beverages are not a substitute for the water that your body needs to process waste products and remove toxins from your body.

What Should We Be Eating?

Change your diet to colon-friendly foods. Back in the day when people ate more fresh produce and worked hard in the field or factory, constipation was less of a problem. We eat too much of the wrong kind of foods and get too little of the right kind of exercise. The amount of pesticides that is used in our crops and hormone injected in farm animals all add toxicity to our diet. Alas, we have very little control in commercially grown fruits and vegetables unless we start our own farm. That’s not really practical, folks,

Both of those things need to change if you want to get rid of constipation. Eat more root vegetables and fruits that are high in fiber. The US recommended daily allowance (RDA) for fiber is 25 grams. Most of us only get about 6 grams a day. Fruits should be eaten with the skin on (make sure it’s scrubbed well as pesticides may still be present). Eat it raw as opposed to cooked or canned or juiced, even. If raw vegetables are hard to swallow, have them lightly steamed with some seasoning or stir fried with non-fat cooking spray.

Go easy on fast foods as they that tend to be loaded with flour, fat and sugar. You’d probably get more fiber by eating the wrapper than what you get from the fast food itself!

Regardless of how the constipation came about - and until you get on the right track for foods and exercise - you need relief now. Herbal remedies may be the best solution for immediate relief. Herbal laxatives work in one of two ways: to either add bulk or stimulate the bowels to eliminate.There are supplements that can help improve colon health. If you are interested in these supplements, do your homework and ask around.

As with any laxative, don’t overuse or use for too many days at a time. You can become dependent - even on herbal laxatives. Excess laxative use is treating the symptom, not the problem and can cause dehydration, potassium depletion and irritation of the muscles in the colon.

Colon Hydrotheraphy Cleansing

Toxins are around us, in our environment and in our food. We are constantly exposed to toxic chemicals and pollutants in our atmosphere, including household items like hairspray, perfumes, paint and pesticides, among many others. When we down junk food and soft drinks, we are introducing toxic into our system with dangerous additives & chemicals, destroying our bodies for profit. We are exposed to 50,000 chemicals daily!

Colon hydrotherapy is a safe and effective method of flushing the colon of waste material by gentle flushing with water. Weekly or monthly treatment, sometimes up to six months is sometimes recommended for a person with a bowel movement of only once a week.

Many patients have described it as a pleasant experience. It I like having a bowel movement for 30 mins to1 hour. You can even go straight to the gym right after the treatment or go shopping. A clean colon will provide relief from constipation and restore normal bowel function. It also eliminates parasites, gas, flatulence and bloating. It also improves skin and encourages weight loss.

If hydrotherapy makes you squeamish (I guess having a hose shoved up your **** will make anyone uncomfortable), you might want to introduce dried plums or prunes to your diet for their natural ability to promote healthy bowel movement. Black cherry juice may also have the same effect for some people. Dandelion root tea can bring ease to constipation as much as eating marshmallows. These have substances that are soothing and lubricating to the colon. I like having a cup of colon-friendly green tea to stimulate bowel movement on days that I feel heavy. It’s gentle and are really effective.

There are probably many other remedies in the market and the more you read up, the more confused you may get. For now, just stick to the basics – drink lots of water, eat more fruits and vegetables, preferably in their original state, have an occasional colon hydrotherapy treatment (maybe once a year) and drink green tea. Cut down on the junk food and soft drinks. If you have never exercised before, start by doing a fast walk in the park with family members or friends. If you want to add resistant training, join the gym closest to your home of work to make it convenient. Little changes at a time can make a big difference to your overall health in the long run. Never use age as an excuse

Here's to good colon health!