Constipation is not something that many people like to talk about and most people tend to treat it as an annoyance rather than as a medical problem. However, people who get constipated chronically may have serious underlying conditions – and the constipation itself puts a person at greater risk for developing colon cancer.
There are many over-the-counter treatments to help promote regularity. However, laxatives can only be used occasionally unless specifically prescribed by the doctor – overuse of them can result in the body getting dependent upon them to have any kind of bowel movement at all. Fortunately, there are natural and gentle ways to treat this condition without any risk of side effects. The best natural ways to treat constipation are discussed below.
Hydration
It actually takes a lot of water to take what it is left of food after the nutrients have been removed and turn it into stool. If someone it dehydrated – especially if they are chronically dehydrated from just not drinking enough most days – there is not enough water to do this. The result is that the stool hardens and becomes difficult – and painful – to pass. At a minimum, be sure to drink at least 8 8-ounce glasses of water daily.
Fiber
The American diet, with its dependence upon a lot of fast foods or pre-processed foods, is simply poor in fiber. Fortunately, it is possible to correct this simply by added more high-fiber foods to the bill of fare. The best sources of fibers are thinks like oatmeal or bran and fresh fruits and vegetables. It is also a good idea, if fiber is an issue, to consider using a fiber supplement like Benefiber. This can be sprinkled on virtually any food because it does not affect its texture or its taste.
Movement
Simply getting up and moving around more can help treat a constipation problem. Don’t sit in a chair for hours on end at the computer or watching television – get up at least once an hour and move around the house or office a bit before sitting back down. Try going for a walk before work or on lunch break. Any movement is good: it helps speed up peristalsis, the movement of muscle along the gastrointestinal tract that pushed food through the digestive tract.
Prune Juice or Prunes
This could technically go under the “fiber” section, but really deserves a mention all by itself. Prunes and prune juice are both amazing naturally laxatives that can help the body to push through food and waste products in a timely manner so that they do not get stuck in the lower intestine and cause constipation. Prunes don’t have to be eaten straight and go well chopped and mixed in with oatmeal, for instance. It is also okay to add a dash of orange juice to the prune juice to improve its taste.
None of these tips are difficult to incorporate into the day. None of them are expensive or mean a radical difference in lifestyle. However, they are all effective at helping keeping the digestive system on an even keel and avoiding the discomfort and embarrassment of constipation.
Sources: rd.com, nhs.uk, thehealthsite.com
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