Quick Constipation Remedies

Constipation is a common digestive tract problem which can affect both children and adults. Infrequent bowel movements, feeling of incomplete evacuation of the bowel, difficult evacuation of the bowel due to hardening of stool, bloating, straining during bowel movement and pain in the rectum are the characteristic signs of constipation. Any disturbance in the digestive tract can certainly have serious repercussions on one's health. More often than not, constipation affects those who have poor dietary habits. Making the wrong lifestyle choices can certainly make one susceptible to this condition. People who follow an unhealthy diet and lead a sedentary lifestyle are most likely to suffer from this condition. Hormonal imbalance or prolonged use of certain drugs could sometimes weaken the digestive system, thereby causing digestive problems. When constipation occurs even when one has a healthy lifestyle, one is said to suffer from functional constipation. Since incomplete evacuation of wastes can lead to the accumulation of toxins in the bloodstream, constipation can make one vulnerable to several diseases. Chronic constipation is a matter of serious concern which is why steps should immediately be taken to treat constipation. Here are some quick constipation remedies that might help in treating this condition.

Quick Home Remedies for Constipation

Do you follow a healthy diet? As mentioned earlier, constipation is commonly caused due to poor eating habits. While junk food might tickle your taste buds, consumption of such unhealthy food items on a daily basis can certainly have an adverse effect on one's digestive health. Those of you who don't take their meals on time or don't chew their food properly are also vulnerable. Inadequate intake of water or fluids can also be responsible for causing constipation. Those who live a sedentary lifestyle are also susceptible to constipation. So, one should not only follow a balanced diet that fulfills the body's needs but also follow an exercise regimen. Here are some fast acting constipation remedies for children and adults.

Quick Constipation Remedies for Children

Constipation in infants can be caused due to several reasons. Some babies may suffer from constipation due to their inability to digest formula milk. Since breast milk contains natural laxatives, breastfeeding your baby will certainly be helpful in preventing infant constipation. You can also try some home remedies for treating constipation in infants.

• Put a small amount of milk of magnesia to the formula milk. Milk of magnesia is an antacid that is believed to draw water into the intestine, thereby facilitating bowel movement.
• If you have recently introduced solid food in your baby's diet, the infant's digestive system might take some time to adjust. So, make sure that the solid foods are pureed or completely mashed.
• Adequate intake of water is also essential for facilitating passage of stool through the intestine. Make sure that your baby is drinking a little water every four hours.
• You can also give diluted fruit juices such as grape juice or prune juice. Do consult a pediatrician regarding the quantity of juice that should be given.
• Identify food items that may cause constipation and refrain from giving them to your child. Potatoes, bananas, white bread, applesauce, cheese and rice cereal are food items that could cause constipation.
• Giving your baby a warm bath or a stomach massage might also help in providing gas relief. Moving your baby's legs in a bicycle motion might also provide relief from constipation or gas.
• Introduce easily digestible fiber-rich food items such as mashed pears, peaches, plums and apricots. These will act as stool softeners and prevent constipation.
• Consumption of fiber-rich foods is equally essential for older children and adults. Make sure that your kids eat fresh fruits such as orange, papaya, guava, mangoes, peaches, plums and grapes.
• Children must also consume vegetables such as French beans, cabbage, spinach, broccoli, turnip and carrots. Some of the foods that cause constipation include white bread, cakes, pastries and biscuits. Excessive consumption of such processed foods must be completely avoided.
• If your child does suffer from constipation, make him/her drink prune juice for constipation relief.
• Other quick constipation remedies involve the use of honey, castor oil and raisins. If your child is suffering from constipation, you can either add two teaspoons of honey or a teaspoon of castor oil to a glass of warm milk. Ask your child to drink it in the morning. This is one of the most effective home remedies for constipation.
• You can also soak 5-6 raisins in water at night. Let your child eat these soaked raisins on an empty stomach in the morning. It will certainly help.

Quick Constipation Remedies for Adults

As mentioned earlier, constipation could affect people of all age groups. Adults who often suffer from constipation must make certain lifestyle-related changes at the earliest. Here are some simple remedies that one can try.

• First of all, one must follow a high fiber diet. One must eat fresh fruits such as grapes, pear, oranges, papaya and guava. Including vegetables such as spinach, carrots, beans, corn and peas to one's diet would also prove beneficial.
• Vegetable soups, wheat bran, whole grain breads, cereals and juices must also be included in one's diet.
• Those who don't drink enough water or fluids are likely to suffer from constipation which is why one must have plenty of fluids.
• You can also drink prune juice, aloe vera juice or cabbage juice for instant constipation relief.
• Honey is a natural laxative, so add 2 teaspoons of honey in a glass of warm milk and drink it early morning on an empty stomach. You can also add lemon juice to a glass of warm water and have it in the morning.
• Castor oil has been known for its ability to provide fast constipation relief. Mix a teaspoon of castor oil in a glass of warm milk and drink it every alternate day.
• Since physical inactivity is another contributory factor for digestive ailments, one must stay physically active and exercise regularly.

These were some of the tried-and-tested remedies for constipation. Eating unhealthy food and leading a sedentary lifestyle can make one highly susceptible to indigestion or constipation. One must therefore exercise daily and eat a high fiber diet to get relief from constipation.