Constipation is not a disease. It is rather a symptom to a disease in the digestive system. However, most of the time, this isn't a serious problem. It is usually cause by poor dietary or food intake that helps in the easy digestion process.
Know If You Are Constipated
As written above, to most people bowel movement is regular part of everyday. When you are having difficulty in moving or the daily routine becomes fewer in week. When you have constipation, your stools are usually hard, dry, and small in size but are difficult to eliminate. It seems that you are about to move but you just can not move those stools out. Many people find this condition painful because of staining, bloating and cuts in the anus.
Constipation do not exclude any age. Almost all people from a baby to an adult experience such difficulty once in their lives. However, this feeling of unease can be prevented and treated for immediate and longer relief.
Causes of Constipation
The causes of constipation begin from the food we choose to eat to the digestion to the elimination. The food we eat contains substances that are difficult for the stomach to digest and for the digestive fluids to break down. Understanding how the large intestine works in the digestion also helps. From the stomach, undigested food and food contents will be transported to the colon where the water is absorbed and the stools and waste products are formed. That is the reason why the stool is almost dry and solid when it reaches the rectum because the water is already absorbed. The peristalsis movement or muscle contractions in the colon push the waste products to rectum. That is the time you feel like eliminating something from inside the body.
Constipation occurs when the colon functions abnormally or improperly. There are times that the colon absorbs too much water that makes the waste products so dry. Because of lack of physical activity, the colon sometimes contracts too slow that makes the stool stays more time in it and becomes hard.
Common cause of constipation is the lack of fiber in the diet. These fibers help in the digestion by acting as sweepers of fats in the food. They also make the food easier to breakdown. When a person lacks exercise or other physical activity especially for people with old age, this also causes constipation. The body parts seem to be all resting, which makes the process of digestion more difficult for the stomach. Medications and abuse of laxatives could also affect food processing. Furthermore, lack of water intake or dehydration also causes constipation.
On the other hand, emotional and physical stress is also proven to cause malfunction is the digestive process and may cause constipation.
Treatment and Prevention
Two of the best treatment of constipation is eating high fiber food and increase in water or liquid intake. Fibers are naturally found in fruits and vegetables. Less likely that people who eat such kind of diet that they result to constipation. Low fiber food or high fatty foods like cheese, eggs and meats should be lesser intake. The bulk and soft texture of fiber especially insoluble fiber that passes through the intestine almost unchanged moisten the waste products and prevent them to become hard and dry so it could easily eliminated.
For foods that are difficult to digest, it is recommended that they are to be chewed well into small pieces before swallowing. When constipation is recurring, medical practitioners advise the use of laxatives. This medication helps in easier bowel movement. It has substances that break down the bulk stools. Live a healthy lifestyle and do away with the difficult and uneasy constipation.
Constipation can afflict anyone - young or old. Constipation is one of the most common illnesses. Constipation occurs when the body does not defecate on a regular basis and can result in bloating, pain, and can lead to more serious illnesses. Different people have different cycles - for some, it is normal to defecate 2-3 times a day, for some 1 time a day, and for others, the norm is 2-3 times a week. The Best Remedy for Constipation The best constipation remedy is a healthy lifestyle - complete with a healthy diet and a regular exercise routine. A healthy diet should consist of plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, fish, and foods that are high in fiber. Always chew your food slowly and be sure it is chewed well before swallowing - this helps in the digestive process. Here are some things you can do to help prevent constipation:
Eat foods that are high in fiber content - raisins, salads, whole-grain bread, bran cereals, raw vegetables and fresh fruits, such as figs and prunes. Flax meal is also a great source of fiber.
Oatmeal, dried beans, barley, and applesauce should be eaten to help soften the stool.
Liquids - eight ounces of liquids each day are essential to keeping your body properly hydrated. Water is the most highly recommended form of liquid. By keeping your body properly hydrated, you are allowing your digestive system to work properly and have less chance of becoming constipated.
In the mornings, drink several cups of a warm liquid, such as warm water or herbal tea.
How Exercise Can Prevent Constipation? A regular exercise is essential for a healthy life. Walking is one of the best forms of exercise. Exercises that focus on the abdominal region are great for helping the body continually perform it's natural tasks - and can help to prevent constipation by keeping the muscles of the large and small intestines working properly. Many times, constipation afflicts the aged and invalids because of poor muscle tone in the intestines due to lack of exercise. If you are able to exercise, you should plan an exercise routine that is appropriate for your age and ability and that is easy to maintain. Along with a healthy diet, this is the most natural constipation remedy. Other Constipation Remedies Anyone can suffer from constipation - at any time. The most important thing is a healthy diet and exercise - taking care of your digestive system and giving it every opportunity to work correctly. Still, you may find yourself afflicted with constipation. Before you run out and buy laxatives or other constipation remedies, be sure to check with your physician to be sure that you are actually suffering from constipation. Many physicians will recommend medications for more severe cases. Before you begin taking any medications, be sure you discuss them with your doctor and learn of potential side effects and possible interactions with other medications. Constipation itself is sometimes a side effect of medications. Here are a few more constipation remedies, some will help you to avoid constipation and some will help you once the symptoms are present:
Don't ignore the urge - your body lets you know when you need to defecate. Many times constipation is the result of not going when you body tells you that it is time to go.
Drink fluids - constipation can be the result of not keeping your body hydrated. It is important to drink plenty of fluids daily and avoid dehydration.
Diet - eat a variety of foods that include fresh vegetables, fiber-rich foods, and fresh fruits.
Avoid foods that can cause constipation - dairy foods such as milk and cheese, foods that cause gas such as dry beans, cabbage, and cauliflower, fried foods, and red meat.
Aloe Vera Juice - taken twice a day, this can help to heal and clean the digestive system so that it works smoother.
Folic Acid - lack of folic acid in your body can cause constipation.
Corn Syrup - this is a great way to relieve the symptoms of constipation in babies - a tablespoon can be added to an 8 oz. Bottle.
Sugar - sugar found naturally, such as in honey, can be added to a glass of milk or water to help relieve the symptoms of constipation.
Dr John Anne has sinced written about articles on various topics from amino acid, Fitness and Acne Treatment. Dr John Anne is a herbal specialist with years of experience in the field of Alternative Health Care. For more information visit