Effective Home Remedies for constipation

Constipation is a condition where it is difficult to have a bowel movement or none at all. It can be an annoyance since you have the need to go but cannot. It also can result in stomach bloat and pain. By straining too hard, it can lead to tears in the rectum and thrombosed hemorrhoids (this is where there is swelling near the anus). While this occurs mostly for bed-bound patients, wheelchair-bound individuals, children and the elderly, anybody can suffer from this condition. While it can be caused by a blockage or a tumor, the main reasons why people get this are insufficient water intake, lack of fiber in their diets, medications and irregular bathroom visits. Even if you don’t have problems having a bowel movement, if you go three times a week or less, you constipated. You need to pass stools more often to give your body overall health.

The best way to prevent constipation is to drink six to eight glasses of water a day. If this seems like it can be boring, you can drink flavored waters or sweeten water up with flavoring drops, such as Mio. You can also flavor your water with a slice of lemon or lime. Any citrus fruit is excellent for treating and preventing constipation. Also drinks such as Gatorade and PowerAde will keep you hydrated and provide you with electrolytes. By keeping your body hydrated, you are providing enough fluids to remove the waste from your body. Avoid fluids that can dehydrate your body. These include:

• Alcohol
• Coffee
• Soda

If you still want to drink these, always follow up with a glass of water.

While foods such as eggs, milk and starchy vegetables are good for you, they get absorbed by the body and leaves little residue for waste. Make sure that you include plenty of fiber in your diet. This plays a role in making your stools bulky and allowing your body to get rid of wastes. Make sure you include whole grain foods, such a rice and bread, in your diet. Fruits and vegetables are a major source of fiber. Some that you should include are:

• Apples
• Cherries
• Figs
• Grapes
• Kiwi
• Mangos
• Pears
• Pine Apples
• Prunes
• Raisins
• Artichokes
• Beans
• Broccoli
• Brussel Sprouts
• Lentils
• Rhubarb
• Spinach
• Sweet Potato

By including these in your diet, you are providing enough fiber to keep your bowels working normally.

Another cause of constipation is not setting up a regular routine to sitting on the toilet. Many people make the mistake of only going when they have the urge to go. There are other times when people have the urge to go but think of it as poor timing and put off going to the bathroom. For example, somebody has the urge while they are at work and they are too embarrassed because of the smell. This is the same with a student afraid of being teased for blowing up the bathroom. When people put off going to the bathroom, they may find it difficult later on to have a bowel movement.

Set a time to go to the bathroom each day, even if you do not have the urge to go. Usually the best time to do this is either right after you wake up or after you finish eating breakfast. However, this time might be an inconvenience especially if you are rushing out the door to your job or classes. Therefore, you might have to set a time for after you get home from whatever you are doing. If you are not able to have a bowel movement right away, sit for a while. Have some reading material, such as a newspaper or a magazine. If you are still unable to go, do not strain. However, you might need to take a stool softener. You can purchase these at any pharmacy or Sam’s Club. If you do not want to do this, there are other things you can do to become more regular.

Stir two tablespoons of brewer’s yeast in an eight-ounce glass of water. If you do not like the thought of this, you can try Nutritional Yeast Flakes, which can be found on Amazon. If you drink this three times a day, within a week you will be having bowel movements on a regular schedule.

When you bake brownies, cookies and cakes, add a teaspoon of ground flax seed. You can also add it to oatmeal and smoothies. This staple has many health benefits. The fiber, while excellent for relieving constipation, also plays a role in heart health.

While most dairy products are culprits of constipation, you should include four ounces of yogurt with your breakfast. Your innards are full of bacteria-both good and bad. The bacteria found in yogurt are probiotics. This good bacterium is a friend towards your digestive system and plays a role in breaking down the food and healthy bowel movements. If you are not a fan of yogurt or never tried it, there are many brands and chances are you will find one that you love the taste of. You can also purchase probiotics in a gummy form at your local pharmacy.

Add two tablespoons each of Molasses and Karo syrup to a glass of milk. Both of these ingredients help move your bowels more effectively. If you are not a milk drinker, you can add these to a cup of coffee. However, remember that coffee can dehydrate you. Therefore, after your enjoyable drink, have a glass of water.

Exercise is an excellent remedy to get your bowels moving. All you need to do is walk for fifteen to twenty minutes a day.

The above remedies will help with treating and preventing constipation. However, sometimes you may need to take a laxative. Only do this as a last resort. The ingredients in these are harsh and you may find yourself constantly running to the bathroom. If you still are suffering and nothing seems to work, you must see your doctor. Sometimes constipation is caused by other organs in your body such as the gallbladder or liver.