Natural treatments for constipation present a safe, effective and healthy alternative to the over the counter and prescription medications made to treat this common problem. These home remedies are easy to use and are part of an overall holistic health regimen, since they support digestive health naturally. Constipation isn’t normally a serious problem, though if left untreated it can lead to fecal impaction, systemic toxicity, hemorrhoids and other health problems; so it’s a problem which is definitely best avoided.
The best of these natural treatments are easy to use and prevent recurrence of the problem by supporting better digestive function and good health in general. While constipation is usually a minor problem, it can lead to some serious health issues if it is allowed to proceed untreated.
When those suffering from constipation do manage to move their bowels, it’s most often an uncomfortable, even painful experience. The stool will be dry, hard and generally come out in many smaller pieces rather than all at once as it does in an ideal state of digestive health. The bowel may not be completely emptied, which produces more discomfort for the sufferer. The most common causes of constipation by far are unhealthy diets and lifestyles, though hypothyroidism, some prescription and street drugs, irritable bowel syndrome, abuse of laxatives, pregnancy, trying to hold back from moving the bowel and the natural aging process may also be at fault.
In fact, constipation is technically the condition of having three or less bowel movements in the space of a week. Most people who are constipated are able to have a bowel movement eventually, though this is generally accompanied by no small amount of discomfort and pain, since the stool is most often extremely hard and dry.
Constipation sufferers also go through additional discomfort since they commonly only empty the bowel partially – a result of the stool being broken up into many pieces. While constipation is usually caused by lifestyle factors, especially diet, it may also be due to pregnancy, irritable bowel syndrome, hypothyroidism, the overuse of laxatives, illegal and prescription drugs and by conscious attempts to delay bowel movements. There are a number of over the counter and prescription remedies for constipation, though many of these cause side effect and treat only the symptom, doing nothing to prevent a recurrence. Natural treatments for constipation take a different approach, working to correct the root cause and prevent recurrence as well as relieve the immediate symptoms.
In adding certain foods to the diet, there are others that should be staunchly avoided. Some of these include processed sugar, processed flour, fast food, caffeine, alcohol, cheese, and meat. As much as possible, these foods should be replaced with high fiber foods as described above or completely eliminated from the diet.
Regular exercise is also crucial in maintaining a healthy bowel and treating constipation. Daily exercise that involves at least 30 minutes of movement is helpful in increasing circulation and optimizing intestinal function. Daily walking, jogging, yoga, tai chi and other mild to moderate exercise is recommended.
By treating constipation naturally, a person is able to, not only correct the bad habits that led to the original bout of constipation, but can safely avoid its recurrence. Natural treatments for constipation have been safely and effectively used for generations to treat this common discomfort and are completely without risk or side effects. In making simple diet and lifestyle changes, constipation can be corrected, as a host of other conditions can also be avoided in the process.
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