Relieving Constipation: the Natural Methods
Popular Methods
When it comes to relieving constipation, we are a society expecting quick fixes. We want it out and now, right? Itâs no surprise we spend about 900 million dollars on laxatives each year. Laxatives, though, should be a last resort for many reasons. Since they are available without a prescription we tend to think of them as safe. Unfortunately, they can become habit-forming quickly and they are harmful to your body in the long-term.
Types of Laxatives:
- Bulk laxatives – This is the best type of laxative to relieve constipation for prolonged use. Though usually taking a few days to start working, they can provide some relief. Remember to drink plenty of water. Bulk laxatives include: psyllium husk (available through health food stores), bran, ispaghula husk, and sterculia.
- Stimulant laxatives – These laxatives aim at increasing bowel contractions but can cause stomach cramps as a side effect. These are taken at night to have a morning bowel movement, as they are supposed to work within 6-12 hours. Senna is an example of a stimulant laxative. Although they work to relieve constipation, experts believe the contractions cause weakening of the digestive muscles which will eventually make the problem worse. Since these laxatives cause contractions, they are not safe for pregnant women. Glycerol suppositories are included in this group. Although they are inserted into the rectum, they still act as a stimulant.
- Osmotic laxatives – These go to work at relieving constipation by helping the bowel retain water and by softening the stool. Epsom salts and Milk of Magnesia are osmotic laxatives.
- Lactulose – This medication comes in crystals or liquid form. A type of sugar that isnât digested by the body, Lactulose acts like a fiber and osmotic laxative combined. This type takes up to 3 days to work and may cause cramping and profuse gas.
There are other medications that act as stool softeners, which basically coat the bowel so water doesnât get absorbed from the stool. Since the body naturally removes water from the colon, it isnât suitable as a long-term solution for relieving constipation.
Natural Methods – Fiber In, Fiber Out
Adding fiber to your diet is essential to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, relatively free of constipation. If you think fiber means just eating more bran, think again. You can also add fiber to your diet via fruits (with the skin), green vegetables, nuts, grains and seeds. Nuts and grains are also important because they are a good source of essential fatty acids (especially flaxseed or flax oil) which are wonderful options to relieve constipation naturally.
Adding fiber to your diet may make you feel like a gas-filled balloon at first. If your body has been used to eating white flour, heavy starches, fatty meats, and other low fiber foods, it may take some time to get used to it. Donât give up after one short week. Remember, it probably took years of eating a low fiber diet to make constipation an issue in your intestines. Give fiber a chance! After 14-21 days of including more fiber in your diet, youâll start to wonder why you didnât make it a priority before.
Forming new habits really means youâre getting rid of the old one. If relieving constipation is your goal, youâll want to stay away from the constipation culprits like: white flour, fried foods, sweets, carbonated drinks, alcohol, refined sugars, and cheese.
Maintain Your Flora
No, weâre not talking about your vegetable garden. Good bacterial flora is essential for proper digestion. In fact, if you took all the bacteria in your digestive system and put them all together youâd have a mass the size and weight of a brick. When we abuse laxatives and enemas, we can create havoc on the good bacteria we need to avoid diarrhea and help relieve constipation.
Eating yogurt with live cultures is one way to maintain your flora population. Be sure to read the label of your yogurt container. It should say it contains âlive and active cultures.â If youâd rather not take their word for it, check the ingredients for Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophius.
Refrain From the Strain
With some people, constipation stems from issues with muscle coordination. They seem to contract the anus muscles when they should be relaxing them. There are certain biofeedback methods available for people who suffer with this problem. The treatment is used on those suffering from severe constipation linked directly to this muscle contraction issue.
Weekly Cleansing
Most of the waste matter produced from the food we eat gets passed out within a 72-hour period. Sometimes, up to 30% of that waste can sit in the colon for a week or more. Since retaining waste is not good for the body or health, a weekly cleansing of the colon will go a long way at relieving constipation. Oxy-Powder® is a safe way to clean out any waste that may be loitering in your colon and using it once a week will help improve bowel function. Remember the following: Avoid chemical laxatives. True, they can work for a while but along with those results come the weakened bowels, potentially unsafe contractions, and other nasty side effects. Add fiber to you diet. Fiber bulks up your stool and helps it retain water, which makes it easier to move along. There are many tasty and nutritious sources of fiber from which you can choose, so donât fear that youâll have to eat twigs or acorns or something. Keep a good quantity of bacteria on hand. Especially while undertaking a thorough colon cleansing program, replenish your flora with healthful and yummy yogurt. Relax and go. Donât strain or try to force out impacted waste. You can end up tearing tissue and hurting yourself in the process. Cleanse naturally. Leave the chemicals in your garage where they belong and try a supplement especially suited for the job, one that just helps clean your colon so it can work its best again. Follow these guidelines to help relieve constipation and you can feel great again!
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The Colon Cleansing & Constipation Resource Center
http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/relieving-constipation-the-natural-methods-89966.html
Tips on Relieving & Preventing Constipation
One of the most important tips you can receive if you are dealing with constipation is to not avoid eating breakfast. The bowels can go to sleep at night. Eating a meal for breakfast and consuming a hot beverage can wake up your bowels. If you are dealing with constipation and you lead a very busy life in the morning, you should work to rearrange your schedule so you can retrain your bowels. Allow yourself time to eat. Once your bowels have been retrained you should expect to have a bowel movement about a half hour after breakfast.
Another important constipation tip is learning how to sit on the toilet so your bowels can open properly. Placing a stool under your feet when you are sitting on the toilet can help your body assume the squatting position that is necessary for proper elimination. Once you have positioned your feet on the stool, relax, lean forward and place your elbows on your thighs.
When you are sitting on the toilet, it is important that you do not hold your breath when you are trying to eliminate a stool. A good constipation tip is to breathe in your nose and out through your mouth. Holding your breath while you are trying to pass a stool can actually hamper the elimination process because it closes up the bottom.
Another constipation tip for those who are prone to straining is to learn how to push without actually straining. When you have placed your feet on the stool, simply lean forward and breathe normally. This will enable your stomach muscles to push the stool out without straining. Essentially, you are pushing from your waist.
If you are dealing with constipation you should increase your dietary fiber and consume an adequate amount of water. Eat green leafy vegetables and fruits. Munching on dried fruits throughout the day can also help to relieve constipation. Drinking a glass of water the first thing in the morning can also help to regulate the bowels. Try to eat at the same time each day so you can get your system on a regular schedule.
You should always respond to any sign that your bowels want to move. Delaying or putting off a bowel movement can aggravate constipation. No matter where you are, if you feel like your bowels want to move, find a bathroom.
You should also try to become more active. Taking a small walk every day can go far in helping your constipation. You do not have to join a gym or take up an expensive exercise. Simply taking a walk in the evening after supper will suffice.
Another constipation tip is to cleanse and detoxify the body. Oxy-Powder is an all natural product that can clean out your pipes and keep you regular. It works by oxidizing the mucous, sludge and fecal matter that has built up in your system. Not only does Oxy-Powder work to clean out your system, but it sets up a welcome environment for the good bacteria that is needed to keep your digestive system healthy. Oxy-Powder is recommended for someone who wants to rid their life of constipation once and for all.
If you are prone to constipation, you should avoid food that are fried, fatty, spicy and are full of preservatives. These foods are very hard to digest and put a strain on your bodyâs digestive enzymes. If you think your system is depleted of enzymes you can supplement your dies with enzymes.
Watch the type of medication you take. Many medications (both prescription and non-prescription) can aggravate or cause constipation. Take with a pharmacist about any medications you are given to see if it can cause constipation.
Try to avoid stimulant laxatives. Many of these can actually make constipation worse because they can make the bowels lazy. While they may provide temporary relief, it is just not worth the potential problems. If you need to have your system cleaned out, use a product like Oxy-Powder that we referenced above. Oxy-Powder cleanses the colon and helps you to maintain regular bowel movements.
The last constipation tip is to not assume that constipation is simply a fact of life â because it does not have to be. Whether you are young or old, you can take the steps needed to become regular. Donât let constipation dictate your lifestyle to you. With a little time and attention, you can kick constipation to the curb for good.
The Colon Cleansing & Constipation Resource Center
http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/tips-on-relieving-preventing-constipation-89971.html
Hemorrhoids Exercises to Easy your Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids occur when your body is chemically unbalanced. Under these conditions, the veins in your anus become weak and when blood pressure increases in this area the veins will bulge out. When you strain and push to have a bowel movement, you increase the blood pressure in the anus veins. This is a situation you want to avoid.
If you are constipated and have been for a long time, then expect that this has triggered the formation of your hemorrhoids. Constipation doesn’t cause hemorrhoids, but is a partner in creating them.
When go to the restroom, go there to have a bowel movement. Don’t take any reading material in there, because that keeps you in there longer. Sitting in the bathroom, puts pressure on your rectum and anal veins and eventually weakens the vein walls. Excess sitting can also aggravate the hemorrhoids you already have. So, you don’t want to sit there longer than needed.
To deal with constipation, start using some constipation remedies and food that I have listed on some of my websites or articles. You will have an easier time when you have a bowel movement.
I have updated my hemorrhoid e-book to include constipation remedies, so that you have an easy and quick bowel movement. Any straining you do is considered constipation and can lead to hemorrhoids later.
When sitting on the toilet, there are a few things you can do to help your stools come out easier.
" Sit-up straight and lean back slightly
" Raise your arms up above you, this helps to stretch and move your colon
" Place your feet on a small stool to raise your feet and to take the pressure off your anus.
" Move side to side to stretch and move your colon
If you have a job where you sit all the time, get up and walk around every hour or whenever you can.
Exercises for hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are like extra skin or inflammation that accumulates around your anus. That area can become itchy or painful to touch or movement.
Exercise is called for in helping to get rid of hemorrhoids. What you want is to get more blood to circulate in the anus. Blood circulation brings in needed nutrients and removed toxins. If toxins remain in the anus veins, it keeps these artery walls weak. A good daily fast walk is the best. Yoga is very helpful since it helps to stretch muscles, and revive circulation. Any exercise will be beneficial.
You can eat a good diet and reduce the time in the bathroom to prevent hemorrhoids and constipation, but if you don’t exercise regularly, you are bound to get hemorrhoids.
The other exercise that you can do is an anus exercise. Do this by pushing down like you are going to the bathroom and then pull back. Do this for a few minutes. This will help to build the tissue and improve blood circulation in that area. Yes I know, this is uncomfortable to do, but if you don’t do some of these exercises, then these hemorrhoids will get worst as time passes.
Keep hemorrhoids away by reducing your time in the bathroom, reducing blood pressure in the anus, and exercising regularly.
Green Drink for Constipation
A green drink is a powerful drink that can help detoxify your colon and your blood. This drink keeps your colon and your whole body working better and longer.
There are many types of green drinks that are prepared with powders. But the green drink that I like is made using only liquid chlorophyll.
Chlorophyll has many benefits. It is capable of neutralizing substances that cause cell mutations and strengthens the cell walls of the small intestine and colon. It has an exceptional deodorizing effect on your body and on the stools you have during a bowel movement.
I drink my green drink the first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. This helps to activate your colon and stimulate it to have a bowel movement.
Here’s how I prepare my green drink.
* Add 1-2 oz of pure liquid chlorophyll into an empty glass (you may want to start with a tablespoon or two)
* Squeeze the juice of one lemon into the glass
* Fill the glass with 8 oz of distilled water
* Drink the combination completely
I add lemon juice to the chlorophyll because chlorophyll has a dull and blank taste that is uncomfortable for me. With lemon, it’s a drink that I enjoy taking every morning
If you have other health issues you want to work on, you can add other nutrients or liquids to this green drink. You can add a few drops of a product called Oxygen Elements Plus, which also is good for constipation and helps to detoxify your colon even more. You can add Alkalife, an alkaline water booster, which adds minerals to your drink.
From the clients that I have worked with, I have found that this chlorophyll drink helps them get better blood test results. Their blood is a little thinner. They carry more oxygen into the cells. Their blood cell count goes up.
Use this drink and you will keep drinking every morning just like I do, especially if you like lemon juice.
Colon Cleansers Basics
Colon cleansers are quite simply food, laxatives or procedures, such as a colonic, used to stimulate the bowels into action producing a bowel movement.
Colon cleansers are thought by some to provide relief from toxins that fill our bodies while others believe that colon cleaners are nonsense and a complete waste of time. Some even believe that colon cleansers are harmful to the body as the colon itself was designed to handle a variety of bacteria and works quite naturally.
For those supporters of colon cleansing, it is believed that colon cleaners are good for conditions such as constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, bloating, chronic fatigue, acid reflux (GERD), and even skin and hair problems.
Since most digestive problems are caused by a toxic build-up in the body, it is essential to flush the body of all toxic chemicals. This can only be done effectively with a colon cleanser.
In order to establish a healthy colon, you must regularly clean your colon just like you wash your body or brush your teeth. Food or products meant for colon cleansing are designed to cleanse and scrub the colon ridding the body of the toxins built up and ultimately leading to a healthier and "cleaner" life.
Colon cleansing must be done regularly and often since we are constantly taking in more food which leads to additional build up of toxic waste in the colon.
A common method of colon cleansing is to use specific herbs designed to stimulate action and the colon and get your bowels to move.
A commonly used herb for colon cleansing is senna. It is important to remember that you should not begin a colon cleansing or take herbs without first checking with your physician. At the time of this writing, the use of senna has not been evaluated for use by the FDA but has been used widely for years in more cultural and traditional settings, as opposed to Western medicine, to deal with issues such as constipation or desired colon cleansings.
Besides an herbal supplement colon cleansing other types of colon cleansers include colonics, enemas and cleansing through fasting.
Once you have begun a colon cleansing it is critical to begin to introduce good bacteria into your digestive system. This can be accomplished easily by taking probiotics supplements.
Probiotics are live microorganisms that when taken may improve the microflora of the intestines.
Advocates of colon cleansing believe that once the colon has been cleansed and probiotics have been replaced then the last step is to begin to take herbs, vitamins and minerals and amino acids to completely detoxify every cell in your body.
Once your body has been "cleansed" it is important to prevent your body from becoming toxic again and a healthy way to do so is take a dietary fiber supplement on a regular basis.
Other things that help to maintain a healthy colon include taking probiotics, eating high-fiber diet and daily exercise program.
So do your homework, talk with your physician and decide if colon cleansing is for you.
Constipation Remedy Using Citrus Juice
Citrus Juices
Citrus juices are a constipation remedy that is an excellent way to stimulate your colon and other parts of the body. Since your colon is less active at night, drinking juices as soon as you awaken and get up can stimulate strong peristaltic action and promote a bowel movement.
Lemons
Lemons are filled with minerals, especially potassium, Vitamin C, and bioflavonoid. They have a cleansing action for the entire body.
Fresh lemon juice is the king of fruit juices. It contains citric acid, which acts in the body in a way no other juice does. First it acts on the liver to build up its enzymes so it can detoxify toxins in the blood. Then it combines with calcium to form soluble chemical substances. This makes it effective in removing kidney and pancreatic stones, pluck build up along artery walls, and other calcium deposits that occur in the body.
When the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas are not working right, food digestion is affected. This in turn will create constipation.
Use lemons moderately since they break up oils during digestion and in our body they make oils less available to our cells and joints.
If you have lemon allergies or ulcers then you should avoid lemon juice. If you have arthritis lemons are not a good choice.
Here’s what to do:
Squeeze one lemon into a glass of warm distilled water. Drink it first thing when you wake up. Don’t drink anything else for at least 1/2 hour
You can use a citrus press to juice the lemon or just squeeze it to get the juice out.
Grapefruit Juice
Another constipation remedy you can use is drinking a glass of fresh squeezed grapefruit first thing in the morning. Again wait at least 1/2 hour before you eat anything.
If you are taking any anticonvulsant drugs, birth control pills, estrogen, protease inhibitors and even other types of drugs avoid drinking grapefruit juice. It slows the breakdown of certain drugs allowing them to increase in the blood to dangerous levels.
Grapefruit and Orange Juice
One drink I like in the morning is a combination of grapefruit and orange juice. Just prepare a half and half drink of these citrus fruits and drink it first thing in the morning.
A Morning Smoothie to Help you Stop Constipation
Chronic constipation can be hard to stop or elimination, since the colon have become weak. In most cases it will have to be retrained on how to have a bowel movement.
For those of you that have mild constipation, here is a morning smoothie that will help activate your colon. This smoothie is packed with nutrients that your body will use to regenerate your colon and body.
I have been making this smoothie for a few years. I make enough to drink right away and to put into my thermos to drink around 10am.
When I make this drink I just start putting things in the blender without measuring. You can do the same and make adjustments as you go.
" one peeled banana
" 4-5 strawberries or other type of berries, or fruits
" one tablespoon of lecithin granules
" one – two teaspoons of flax seed oil
" half and half almond milk and apple juice
" in a coffee grinder, grind up around a teaspoon or less of the following:
" Brown sesame seeds – are high in lecithin, vitamin C, E, and Calcium. They improve liver function and help in constipation
" Sunflower seeds – are high protein, Calcium, and iron. They are one of the best natural foods which feed the entire body.
" Flax seeds – are high in fiber and provide bulk for your stools.
" Almonds – use around 6-7 or more. They are high in Calcium, Phosphorus and have some B-vitamins. Only eat a few. They are high in calories.
After grinding the seeds, place them in the blender and blender everything for about 3-4 minutes. If you need a little sweetness, you can add a small amount of honey. I find this drink plenty sweet without any honey.
Sometimes I will add the powder of a few acidophilus capsules.
If I don’t add the almonds, I just put all the tiny seed into the blender without grinding them up. The blender will break them up.
This is a powerful smoothie to give you morning power and to activate your colon to get moving.
Hemorrhoids and Constipation Relief
If you have hemorrhoids, then mostly likely you are constipated. Here is what you can do to have a quicker bowel movement.
When go into the bathroom, go in there to have a bowel movement. Don’t take a newspaper to read because that keeps you in there longer. Sitting on the toilet puts pressure on your rectum and anal veins and eventually leads to hemorrhoids or aggravates the hemorrhoids you already have. So, you don’t want to sit there longer than necessary.
Start taking and using some of the constipation remedies listed in other newsletters and you will be having an easier time when you go to have a bowel movement.
I have updated my hemorrhoid e-book to include constipation remedies so that you have easy and quick bowel movement. Any straining you do is considered constipation and can lead to hemorrhoids later.
When sitting on the toilet, there are a few things you can do to help your stools to come out easier.
” Sit-up straight and lean back slightly
” Raise your arms up above you, this helps to stretch and move your colon
” Use a small stool to place your feet on to move your knees up a little bit. This takes off some of the pressure felt in your anal area.
” Move your stomach in and out to help move your colon
” Move side to side to stretch and move your colon
If you have a job where you have to sit all the time, get up and walk around every hour or as often as you can.
Exercise is necessary if you have hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are like extra skin or inflammation that accumulates around your anus. That area can become sensitive or painful to touch.
Exercise is called for in helping to get rid of hemorrhoids. A good daily fast walk is the best. Yoga is very helpful since it helps to stretch muscles, and revive circulation. Any exercise will be beneficial.
Check out my e-book on hemorrhoids, Hemorrhoid relief, if it does not help you, have a no questions asked refund for up to 8 weeks. You have plenty of time to see if my remedies work for you.
You can do all the things for preventing hemorrhoids and constipation, but if you do not exercise regularly, you are bound to get these aliments. So plan to exercise, it is good for life and not just good for hemorrhoids and constipation.
The other exercise that you can do is an anus exercise. Do this by pushing down like you are going to the bathroom and then pull back. Do this for a few minutes. This will help to build the tissue in that area. Yes I know, this is uncomfortable to do, but if you don’t do some of these exercises, then these hemorrhoids will get worst as time passes.
Keeping regular with easy flowing bowel movements and exercise regularly can help you reduce or even prevent hemorrhoids.
Flax Seeds, Seeds, and Nuts for Constipation Relief
Here are a variety of home remedies for constipation using flax seeds with other seeds and nuts. They provide the fiber and oils that you need to relieve constipation. Drinking plenty of water with these home remedies will make them more effective.
Mix equal parts of flax seeds, almonds, sunflower seeds and sesame seeds. It is o.k. to mix only three of these seeds, if that is all you have.
Grind them in a coffee grinder to a power. You can eat the power or add it to a nondairy smoothie, a juice, or morning cereal. You can also sprinkle it on your evening salad. Use up to 3 tablespoons twice a day.
This mixture will provide you with extra fiber and a batch of minerals.
Drink plenty of water when using ground up seeds.
Flax seeds are astringent and have laxative action. They are good for mild or moderate symptoms of constipation.
Using an excess of flax seed can contribute to the back up in your colon. Flax seeds also have small traces of prussic acid, which is toxic in large amounts. But it would take a lot of flax seeds to reach the toxic level.
Place between 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon of flax seed in 8 oz of warm water and let it sit for one hour. Then just before going to bed, drink the 8 oz. After drinking this glass of flax seed drink another 4-8oz of water.
Flax Seed and Apple Cider Vinegar
Boil 1 ½ cup of distilled water.
Add 1 tablespoon of flax seed and continue boiling the water for 10 minutes – tea will become jelly like.
After this cools down add 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar.
Drink cup of this combination in the morning and until you get good daily bowel movement.
Flax seed contains the essential oil omega 3. If you lack this oil in your diet you will be prone to disease.
Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is another extremely important food you should include in your daily eating. ACV is high in various minerals and in particular potassium
Flax seeds and oat bran
To get your bowels moving again, prepare the following mixture.
Mix 1 tablespoon of flax seed and 1 tablespoon of oat bran into a glass of distilled water. Let it sit overnight. First thing in the morning, take 2 tablespoons. Wait half an hour before eating anything. Do this every morning until your bowels start moving
Flax Seed Oil
Our body does not make omega 3 oil and we need to get it in our diet.
For constipation, mix one tablespoon of flax seed oil with goat or cow yogurt. Add a little honey if you like. Take this mixture right about ½ hours before bedtime.
Do not heat flax seed oil and keep it refrigerated. Heating it may cause some cancer causing compounds.
There you have it, a variety of home remedies for constipation. Use these home remedies every day and you will see the difference in your regularity.
Get Regular With This Constipation Remedy Guide
Finding an effective constipation remedy that will help relieve the pain can seem quite daunting for those who regularly suffer from constipation. Constipation is a condition where a person has difficulty moving their bowels and there are a number of ways in which it can be diagnosed such as a physical examination, colorectal transit study, anorectal function tests, barium enema x-ray, and sigmoidoscopy or through a colonoscopy.
However there are number of constipation remedies around which should hopefully help to improve the situation as well as remove the problem.
A good one to use is to train your bowel. If you can attempt to have a bowel movement at the same time each day (preferably first thing in the morning) as this is when your colon activity is at its highest and you can practice this quite easily.
Ensure that you improve your eating habits but including plenty of high fiber foods (cereals), and lots of fresh fruit and vegetables. It is important that if you suffer from constipation you limit the amount of ice cream, cheese, meat and processed foods that you consume.
Drink plenty of water (about 1.5-2 litres each day) and avoid those drinks which can cause dehydration such as coffee and alcohol.
Also take up some form of regular exercise and not only will it help to alleviate the problems associated with constipation it will provide you with other health benefits as well.
However, if you find that are still not having regular bowel movements even if you have made the changes above then you wish to consider using a bulk forming laxative such Psyllium or Methylcellulose and they can be used for a long time without any side effects.
There are also other medications that can be used to remedy constipation such as Hyprosmotics, Lactulose, Polyethylene Glycol, Glycerin and Sorbital as well as salines like Magnesium Hydroxide, Magnesium Citrate and Sodium Phosphate.
However if you have found that neither of the above methods work for you then you may try such medications as Anthraquinones such as Cascara Sagrada, Emollients such as Docusates, Senna and Mineral Oil. There are also stimulants such as Phenolphthalein, Castor Oil or Bisacodyl which may also help to remedy the problems associated with constipation but such medications as these need to be used under strict supervision of a doctor or healthcare worker and only as a short term measure as most of these have some side effects.
People who are using laxatives should discontinue use slowly and after some time the colon will be restored to its normal working balance.
Finally, you should only use enemas or suppositories as an emergency treatment and if all else fails then surgery may be your only alternative.