Cures For Constipation

Constipation And Treatment

Chronic constipation may be caused as a side effect of taking certain medications. This is especially true among the elderly. The most common medications that have been found as a cause of constipation include some analgesics, antacids, anticonvulsants, certain types of antidepressants, iron and calcium supplements and diuretics. If you suspect that your medications are causing a change in your bowel movement habits, you should definitely take this up with your physician.

The causes of constipation are many and varied, but the most common ones are:

(i) a low-fiber diet

(ii) insufficient fluids

(iii) lack of exercise

(iv) unhealthy colon. When you read through this list of common causes, the solution to constipation should smack you right in the face, and get you thinking about your diet, exercise and your outlook on life. If it doesn't, you need to read on.

Symptoms of Constipation

Although the symptoms of constipation may vary with person but some common symptoms of constipation are:

* Hard and dry stools

* Straining too much to pass stools

* Painful bowel movement

* Feeling of bloated stomach

* Uneasiness and sluggishness

* Feeling of incomplete evacuation

Natural Cures for Constipation

* Increase your intake of potassium through eating foods like prunes, tomatoes, broccoli, cucumbers, kale, sesame seeds, wheat germ, brewers yeast, pineapple and cauliflower that are high in potassium.

* Aloe is an effective natural remedy for constipation. Aloe, buckthorn, frangula and senna have natural laxative chemicals and can be very powerful constipation cures.

* Flax seed is also used in the treatment of constipation. You can buy the flaxseeds and crush them yourself. Take 1-2 tablespoons a day with lots of water. You will need to make sure you get at least 8 glasses of water a day when using flax.

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.