What is Constipation?
Constipation occurs when bowel movements happen less frequently and it’s hard to pass stools. Most of the time, it’s caused by changes in diet or routine, or by not getting enough fibre.
Constipation is usually also defined by the following:
- Poop is hard and dry.
- There is a lot of pain involved in going to the bathroom, and passing stools is difficult.
- You have a feeling that you have not fully emptied your bowels.
Consult your doctor if you are in a lot of pain, have blood in your stools, or can’t go to the bathroom for more than three weeks. Also, people can try many natural home remedies for constipation to get some relief.
What causes constipation?
- Eating foods that are low in fibre.
- Not drinking enough water (dehydration).
- Not doing enough exercise.
- Changes to your normal schedule, like travelling, eating or going to bed at a different time.
- Getting a lot of milk or cheese to eat.
- Stress.
- Ignoring the urge to go to the bathroom.
What can be done to treat constipation?
Some natural ways to relieve constipation include drinking water, making changes to diet, taking supplements, and exercising. The best way to treat constipation is to find out what may be causing it. Hence, here are some home remedies that can help treat it.
1. Consume an excessive amount of water
Drinking enough water can be the first step to getting rid of constipation. When the body is dehydrated, it starts to pull water from everywhere, including the colon. Staying hydrated by drinking six to eight glasses of water works as a natural stool softener and tends to make going to the bathroom more often and more comfortable.
2. Take a fibre-rich diet
Fibre supplements are a great way to relieve constipation because they help move the bowels. People who eat less fibre are more likely to have symptoms like constipation. Fibre supplements can help you get rid of constipation by making stools heavier. Therefore, these will help to move the stool through the intestine and help to remove out from the body.
There are two main types of fibres: those that dissolve in water and those that don’t which will help to treat constipation
- Fibres that dissolve in water:
When they get wet, they turn into a gel-like paste. This makes the stools smoother and easier to pass. It can be found in nuts, seeds, lentils, beans, peas, barley, oat bran, and some fruits and vegetables.
- Fibres that don’t dissolve in water:
They make stools bigger and help them move through the digestive system more easily. The non-fermentable soluble fibres are better for treating constipation than the fermentable fibres.
3. Maintain a regular exercise routine
Constipation symptoms may improve with frequent exercise like walking, cycling, swimming, or jogging.
4. Abdominal massage
A massage of the stomach can help to relieve constipation. Press the stomach clockwise for about 10 minutes while lying on your back. This massage can be done twice a day. When the colon moves in a clockwise direction, the stool moves toward the rectum. Also, drink hot water before getting a massage because it helps the digestive system and relieves constipation.
5. Coffee with caffeine should be consumed
Caffeinated coffee, in particular, can be laxative. A cup of coffee might quicken digestion and stimulate bowel movements. However, caffeine in coffee might act as a trigger and aggravate symptoms. Coffee may make feel more anxious to evacuate, though.
6. Take senna for stool softener
Senna is a prominent, safe, and effective herbal laxative that can help with constipation. It has glycosides in it, which are plant chemicals that stimulate the nerves in the gut and make bowel movements happen more quickly. It is thought to be safe for adults, but only for a short time. If the symptoms don’t go away after a few days, consult the doctor.
Senna is almost never safe for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or have health problems like irritable bowel syndrome. But senna is often used to treat constipation. It does this by stimulating the nerves in the gut, which makes bowel movements happen faster.
7. Probiotic
Probiotics are good bacteria that live in the gut and help it function well. They help by making bowel movements more regular and making stools thicker. Constipation can be helped by adding probiotic foods like yoghurt, sauerkraut, kimchi, or probiotic supplements.
8. Prebiotic foods
These are carbohydrate fibres that can’t be digested. They make the stool bulkier and nourish the good probiotic bacteria in the intestines. Some prebiotic foods are:
- Onions
- Bananas
- Chickpeas
- Garlic
Constipation is a common and unpleasant health problem that can upset your health. Aside from being uncomfortable, not going to the bathroom frequently can be harmful to your health as a whole. Therefore, the above-mentioned home remedies can help ease constipation symptoms.
You can also try Lactitol drug for constipation (before taking it consult with your doctors). Lactitol is a type of sugar alcohol that has been used as a drug for constipation. It is available in the form of tablets or syrup.
Lactitol is used to treat constipation by increasing the amount of water and natural fluids in your intestines. It also helps to increase the number of bowel movements and makes it easier for you to have a bowel movement.
Some people use Lactitol for other purposes such as weight loss, diabetes, or other health conditions. However, there are no studies that show these uses are safe or effective. This is a good option if you don’t have time to go to the pharmacy. You can order from Truemeds, it is an an online medicine store that offers branded & generic medicines in India. Truemeds also offers a convenient home delivery service in India. Truemeds has been providing customers with quality generics drugs and saving them up to 72% on their medicine bills. They provide a range of medicines at competitive prices to customers who want to buy generic medicines.
