Constipation & Coconut Oil

Are you suffering from constipation? If you are, you have probably tried numerous ways to find constipation relief. Constipation can be caused by numerous reasons including not eating enough fiber, not drinking enough liquids, a lack of exercise, certain medications, changes in lifestyle or routine, ignoring the urge to move your bowels, abusing laxatives, irritable bowel syndrome, pregnancy, traveling and other various reasons.

There are many products on the market which people purchase to try to find constipation relief. These include laxatives, stool softeners, Epsom salts, herbs and enemas. Many people are very disappointed in these products. Many of them only offer temporary relief of constipation. The good news is that there is a natural product that can prevent and alleviate constipation. It is coconut oil.

The latest news is that the coconut oil that is probably sitting in your kitchen cabinet can prevent and alleviate constipation. Since the studies have been released touting the many benefits of coconut oil people are testing it out and getting incredible results. Not only are they finding constipation relief, but many of them are losing weight, getting healthier and acquiring more energy.

The unique thing about coconut oil is that it is safe. It does not turn into fat like other oils. In fact, it can lower your cholesterol. People who use coconut oil not only reap the benefits of constipation relief, but they are also benefiting from the many other healthy benefits that are a byproduct of adding coconut oil to their diets.

Coconut oil stands next to mother’s milk as being one of nature’s highest sources of medium fatty acids. It raises the metabolism which can lead to weight loss. In addition, the fatty acids in coconut oil enhance the immune system and it helps to fight infections, bad bacteria, yeast invasion and diseases. To put it plainly, coconut oil acts as an anti-viral, anti-bacterial and an anti-fungal.

Coconuts have been held in high esteem in diverse cultures around the globe for thousands of years. It served not only as a source of food, but also as a medicine. Modern medicine has finally discovered what natives in other cultures have known for years – that Coconut and coconut oil can be used to treat a wide variety of health problems including the following:

• Constipation
• Bronchitis
• Bruises
• Coughs
• Earaches
• Influenza
• Jaundice
• Nausea
• Scabies
• Toothaches
• Dropsy
• Menstruation problems
• Swelling and Inflammation
• Ulcers
• Urinary tract infections
• Pneumonia
• Gonorrhea
• Herpes
• Hepatitis C
• Thrush
• Diaper rash
• Ringworm
• Athlete’s foot
• Candidacies
• Lice
• Tapeworms and other parasites
• Diabetes
• Pancreatitis
• Osteoporosis
• Ulcerative colitis
• Crohn’s Disease
• Hemorrhoids

If you are suffering from constipation you should supplement your daily diet with coconut oil. It is touted as being the “healthiest dietary oil on earth.” Coconut oil is great for baking and cooking and it can easily be added to salads and dressing. If you want to get your internal machinery running again, oil it up! Coconut oil tastes great and it smells good. It is sure to be the easiest constipation cure that you have ever tried. Just think, it was sitting in the grocery store the entire time. Who would have ever suspected?

The Colon Cleansing & Constipation Resource Center

http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/constipation-coconut-oil-89916.html

Fecal Impaction Vs. Constipation

Constipation and fecal impaction is not the same thing. Many people think that they are the same. While they both involve the intestines, bowels and fecal matter, they are two different problems that have to be treated differently.

Constipation is the term used to describe slow moving feces or stool through the intestines. The longer it takes for fecal matter to be eliminated from the body, the drier and harder it will become. Symptoms of constipation include passing small, dry hard stools, a feeling of incomplete evacuation, straining, fatigue, bad breath, skin eruptions, abdominal pain, hemorrhoids and irregular bowel movements.

Fecal impaction is the term used to describe a large mass of hard stool or fecal matter that is “stuck” in the rectum. Symptoms of fecal impaction may be similar to constipation symptoms. However, in addition to those symptoms the individual may have bladder problems, back pain, nausea, vomiting, dehydration, a distended abdomen, a rapid heartbeat, sweating, fever, dizziness and even high or low blood pressure. Individuals who have a fecal impaction may also experience very explosive diarrhea. This diarrhea does not remove the impaction, it moves around the impaction.

Constipation can be very uncomfortable and annoying. Fecal impaction is far more dangerous than constipation. Fecal impaction can be life threatening. Fecal impaction that is not treated can worsen and the individual could possibly die from it.

Constipation can be caused by numerous things including not eating enough fiber, not drinking enough liquids, a lack of exercise, certain medications, changes in lifestyle or routine, ignoring the urge to move your bowels, abusing laxatives, irritable bowel syndrome, pregnancy, traveling and other various reasons.

Fecal impaction can be caused by ignoring constipation, pain medications, illness and long term use of laxatives. Many people are surprised to learn that prolonged use of stimulant laxatives can lead to fecal impaction, but it is true. With prolonged use the colon can become dependent upon the laxative to aid it in evacuation. When the colon has been exposed to laxatives and stool softeners for a period of time and then it does not get the expected dose, constipation and fecal impaction can occur. To put it simply, prolonged laxative use can make your body forget how to move and evacuate fecal matter on its own.

If constipation is not addressed and an individual develops fecal impaction it cannot be treated as easily. Fecal impactions in the rectum must be removed manually by a medical professional.

Constipation should be addressed at its onset to prevent a fecal impaction. Steps to alleviate constipation can include making changes in the diet, drinking an adequate amount of water, exercising and doing a colon cleanse. Tips to aid in stool evacuation include the following:

• 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.
• Learn how to push without 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.
• 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.

Don’t let constipation get the better of you. Be proactive and take the necessary steps to keep you body’s digestive system in good health and running smooth.

The Colon Cleansing & Constipation Resource Center

http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/fecal-impaction-vs-constipation-89957.html

Your Dog Can Suffer From Constipation Too

It is not only humans that suffer from constipation, but our pets can too! Dog constipation is normally caused due to a lack of exercise and an incorrect diet. In this article we will look at ways that dog constipation can be treated using some home remedies.

As previously mentioned ensuring that your dog’s diet is good and that they are getting sufficient exercise are the most important components for ensuring that your dog’s bowels work correctly. Any dog that is kept in the home should be walked 2 times a day whilst their diet should be correctly maintained.

However if your dog does become constipated a good way of alleviating the problem is to add 1 or 2 teaspoons of bran to it meal. This allows extra moisture to appear in its stools.

Another way that you can treat your dog should it become constipated is by adding Psyllium (Metamucil) to their diet. Just giving them ½ teaspoon each day plus providing them with lots of drinking water will help to alleviate the constipation that they have.

The next option you could try is to add 2 teaspoons of mineral oil to their meals twice a day for a week and this is especially good where there is a large build up of hard stools in your dog.

As you can see there are a number of steps you can take in order to help your dog if they should suffer from constipation but by keeping his food moist (add a little water) will help? Or if your dog is a little more mature then include some raw meat and vegetables into their diet.

Often there are certain signs which will alert you to any potential problems your dog may have and for which you can act on immediately. If your dog has a long coat then sometimes the stools can become entangled in the coat and it is vital you keep your dog properly groomed.

Also dogs have a tendency to eat everything in sight so make sure there are no bones or other materials that they may ingest. Dogs may also suffer from constipation because of a medication that they are on. But there may even be a psychological reason as to why your dog has become constipated (they could be stressed even dogs get stressed to).

Although it has been suggested that dogs of all breeds and no matter what age can be prone to constipation and so there may be some other factors that need to be taken into consideration which may be caused by you as an owner. Do not ever feed your dog from the dinner table as you are contributing to his constipation.

It is important that you do not feed your dog food which contains flour, sugar, rice, dairy or are high in protein as they will on excacerbate the situation. Also included in this would be ice cream, cooks, bread, chocolate or any other foods that we consider to be unhealthy.

Not only can constipation in dogs be caused by lack of fiber or fluids but also by a mega colon (an inflamed colon which prevents your dog from discharging their stools).

The time you should decide to visit your vet if your dog is suffering from constipation is when they have a loss of appetite; begin to pass small amounts of blood and general they look and act very lethargic.

It is important that you are very vigilant to any signs of stress and make your that your dog’s diet and exercise regime is appropriate for them and hopefully this will alleviate or prevent dog constipation in your pet.