Relieve Constipation

You will need to look for ways to relieve constipation if you are having a bowel movement less than 3 times a week. Bowel movements should simply be as almost frequent as you have a meal.

Constipation is often caused by a disturbance of how the colon works. It occurs when too much water is removed by the colon, causing dry or hard stools that are difficult to expel.

More than 4 million Americans suffer from constipation. It can be quite uncomfortable with a constant feeling of bloatedness and fullness and it may be pretty hard to eliminate the hard stools.

Constipation is frequently caused by a disturbance of how the colon works. It occurs when too much water is removed by the colon, causing dry or hard stools that are difficult to expel.

Common Causes of Constipation:

• Poor diet- processed foods that are low in fiber and not so fresh foods that lack essential nutrients.

• Inadequate fiber intake.

• Not enough exercise.

• Inadequate water.

• Ignoring the urge to have a bowel movement.

• Pregnancy.

Complications:

• Weak immune system and being prone to flu, common colds and other infections with longer time to recover.

• Bad breath.

• Itchiness on body.

• Constant headaches.

• Bad skin.

• Nasal congestion.

• Obesity.

• Hemorrhoids caused by extreme straining or fissures caused by the hard stool stretching the sphincters.

• Leaky gut syndrome, where waste materials have accumulated over years and has become auto-intoxicating, with possible damage on kidney, lung and liver.

Cause, duration and severity of the constipation, however certain lifestyle and dietary changes will help treat constipation.

Ways to Relieve Constipation:

It usually depends on the cause, duration and severity, however certain lifestyle and dietary changes will help treat constipation and prevent it from happening further:

• A diet high in fiber with plenty of fruits and vegetables, wheat bran, whole meal or wholegrain breads and cereals, legumes, nuts and seeds- in moderation, brown rice and pasta, oats.

• Reducing the intake of unhealthy and processed foods that are high in fat and/or sugar.

• Drinking 8-10 glasses of water per day along with other liquids.

• Exercising regularly and keeping active. Even a 20-30 minute walk daily helps your bowels move more quickly.

• Reducing tension in your environment and relaxing yourself will help you loosen your bowels. Laughing is also great as it helps in massaging the intestines and with digestion.

• You can also relieve constipation quickly with herbal remedies, such as cascara sagrada, root of dandelion, aloe juice, senna and medicinal rhubarb.

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References:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Constipation.

Longstreth GF, Thompson WG, Chey WD, Houghton LA, Mearin F, Spiller RC (2006). “Functional bowel disorders”. Gastroenterology 130 (5): 1480–91.

http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/constipation/

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art14167.asp.

http://www.juicing-for-health.com/ relieve-constipation.html.