How to Relieve Constipation

Constipation is accompanied by lower bowel movement with stool that can be hard and dry and the passing painful. Most people suffer from constipation at one time or the other and it generally lasts for a short time. The cause of constipation differs and there are quite a few ways of how to relieve constipation. The ways of relieving constipation are many which range from home remedies to natural remedies.

There are different types of constipation which may range from infrequent stool to hard stool, difficulty in passing stool or even a feeling of incomplete bowel movements. The best way to deal with different types of constipation is to deal with the different causes. Constipation is considered similar to irritable bowel syndrome which occurs with the hardening of the stool. Constipation is a condition where the stool hardens in the rectum and prevents its easy passage.

Symptoms of Constipation
The best way to treat constipation is to look for the causes by checking out the symptoms. These are some of the common signs that indicates the occurrence of constipation.

• Low bowel movements or less than once a day
• Excessive strain when on the toilet
• Muscle cramps in the stomach
• Heaviness in the stomach
• Gas formation
• Mucus coated tongue
• Headache
• Loss of appetite
• Pain in the lower legs
• Hypertension
• Nausea
• Vertigo
• Palpitation
• Drowsiness

Causes of Constipation
The main causes of constipation are:

• A poor diet with less fiber foods and too much of indigestible foods
• Bad habits like alcohol, smoking and irregular sleeping habits
• Irregular passage of stools
• Use of laxatives
• Hormonal disorder
• High use of painkillers
• Use of antidepressants.

Ways of Relieving Constipation
The treatment for constipation has to be different for people suffering from different types of the illness. Here we have some of the situations where a need of a different type of treatment arises.

How to Relieve Constipation Naturally ?
The best and simplest way of curing any kind of illness is to go the natural way. If a person is aware of the process of how to treat constipation using natural remedies, then it becomes much easier. These are the natural ways of treating constipation.

• Drinking lots of water and fresh juices.
• Eating a lot of fruits like banana, guava etc
• Taking an enema or a colon hydrotherapy
• Eating lots of oatmeal
• Regular physical exercises
• Taking psyllium husk
• Employing the process of colon cleanse

How to Relieve Constipation During Pregnancy?
Constipation is a common occurrence during and after pregnancy. It might prove to be highly uncomfortable for a pregnant women. The best way to treat constipation during pregnancy is to drink a lot of water and juices.

A good diet of fruits and vegetables rich in dietary fiber should be introduced in the daily food. Herbal remedies suchas fenugreek, cascara sagrada, barberry, turkey rhubarb, dandelion, red raspberry, goldenseal and cayenne are helpful in reducing constipation. But they should be taken with caution as some of them have shown to stimulate uterine contractions. Physical exercises like pelvic floor exercises can be practiced as they are also helpful in dealing with constipation.

How to Relieve Constipation in Babies and Young Children ?
Children suffering from constipation should not be treated with the remedies used on adults but if it is necessary then it should be under a qualified pediatrician. How to relieve constipation in newborns is a critical question. Constipation treatment for infants who are less than 2 months old can only be done by a pediatrician. Children who are in the age group of 2 - 4 months can be given fruit juices such as apple, pear, cherry, prune, or grape. Those who are in the age group of 4 months - 1 year, can be given high fiber baby foods such as beans, prunes, plums, peaches, pears, apricots and spinach. They should be given the food twice a day. The children who are among 1 year and up can have more fruits, vegetables and whole grains in their diet.

Children should be made to take enough water. They should also be provided with more fruit juices like prune, apple, cherry or grape. For children of any age suffering from constipation, foods such as white rice, bananas, cooked carrots, white flour and dairy products should be avoided. A few minor dietary adjustments which can cause dehydration should be avoided. If there is no noticeable relief, a pediatrician should be consulted.

How to Relieve Constipation Through Laxatives?
Laxatives which are used in treating constipation, ease the passage and elimination of stool from the colon and the rectum. The laxatives create a condition where the bowel movement which was blocked becomes much easier. Using laxatives for treating constipation is a very fast way of treatment. But an overuse of laxatives has been known to cause damage to the body including the nerves, muscles and tissues of the intestines and the bowel. Laxatives, instead of curing, are capable of causing severe fluid losses and electrolytes from the body which can lead to dehydration. There is also a chance of improper use of laxatives leading to a dependency on the laxative to produce bowel movements.

There are different ways of how to relieve constipation which are effective in dealing with constipation. But the best way for how to relieve constipation using natural remedies is by following a balanced diet and leading a life style where the digestive health will be maintained.