The medical definition of constipation
Many people look to a home remedy for constipation having
suffered and failed to cure the source of the problem with
prescription medicines. Laxatives may seem to work, but
all they do is act as a muscle relaxant. If overused, this
will cause the bowel
and colon muscles to become lazy and weak. In the end, laxatives
simply make the problem worse.
The medical definition of constipation is having a bowel
movement less than three times a week, where the excreted
matter is hard, dry, small and painful to expel. This is
a surprise for many people who expect to poop every day.
The medical definition seems out of line with what we believe
is healthy.
Despite the official view, the fact is that if you are
having trouble, and experiencing pain, bloating, and the
sensation of a full bowel but nothing will come out, you
will want to do something about it. Difficulty in passing
feces can lead to other problems including hemorrhoids,
toxicity in the colon and possibly, in the long term, serious
colon disorders including cancer. Pooping at least once
a day should be the goal for a healthy colon.
The real remedy for constipation
is in the diet.
The real remedy for constipation lies not in the colon
or bowel but in the diet.
Most Western diets lack adequate fiber. Using whole grains
including brown rice and wholewheat bread, eating more fruit
and vegetables (especially raw vegetables and salad) can
help the system to regulate itself naturally again. Cut
down on high fat foods including meat, cheese, eggs, milk
and processed foods such as white bread and pasta.
Constipation can also be caused by lack of exercise (especially
in the sick or elderly) and dehydration. So try to get moving
and drink plenty of water (at least 4 pints a day). Good
exercise to fight constipation includes walking,
swimming and calisthenic routines
such as touching the toes.
Dried fruit can be a wonderful
remedy for constipation. Prunes are especially effective.
For a delicious and simple breakfast remedy, leave a few
prunes, dried figs and dried apricots to soak in water overnight.
There is no need to cook them - they are better raw. Eat
the soaked fruit in the morning and drink the liquid later
in the day.
It is important to obey any urges to have a bowel
movement. Some people do not like to use public bathrooms
but holding back when the body wants to poop can eventually
cause constipation. This can also be the reason for constipation
in children, who may not want to interrupt their play to
visit the bathroom.
If you have been taking laxatives regularly and have trouble
going without them, you will need to come off them slowly.
Reduce the dose or start to use them every 2 days instead
of every day, etc. At the same time, increase the fiber
in your diet
and drink plenty of water.
In some cases, constipation may be caused by medications
that you are taking for other medical problems. If this
is the case for you, do not be tempted to stop taking your
medication. In this situation a laxative may be useful for
a short time. However, strong laxatives may cause your other
medication to pass through the body too quickly, reducing
its effectiveness. So it is very important to see your doctor
first, to discuss the side effect that you are having and
the best way to deal with it for your particular case.
Always consult with a qualified medical practitioner before
taking any home remedy for constipation, to check that it
is suitable for you.
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