Constipation
Definition:
Constipation is an acute or chronic condition in which bowel movements occur less often than usual or consist of hard, dry stools that are painful or difficult to pass. Bowel habits vary, but an adult who has not had a bowel movement in three days or a child who has not had a bowel movement in four days is considered constipated.
Signs & Symptoms:
Signs and symptoms of chronic constipation include:
Passing fewer than three stools a week
Having lumpy or hard stools
Straining to have bowel movements
Feeling as though there’s a blockage in your rectum that prevents bowel movements
Feeling as though you can’t completely empty the stool from your rectum
Needing help to empty your rectum, such as using your hands to press on your abdomen and using a finger to remove stool from your rectum
Constipation may be considered chronic if you’ve experienced two or more of these symptoms for the last three months.
Cause:
Lifestyle and Diet
Poor diet and an inactive lifestyle are the most common causes of constipation. A lack of exercise and eating too much junk food can wreak havoc on your digestive health. Here are some diet-related factors that can leave you feeling constipated:
Dairy products
Foods high in fat and sugar
Lack of high-fiber foods (like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains)
Lack of water and other fluids
Alcohol or caffeine
When you feel like you need to defecate, it’s important to use the bathroom immediately. Putting it off for a more convenient time (like when you get home, for example) can lead to constipation.
How To Cure:
- Oil it gets more than cars running
Pure olive oil is more than just a healthy and tasty fat; it can also help relieve constipation. Its not surprising really when you consider what olive oil’s texture and consistency is like- its practically the poster child for constipation home remedies. It stimulates your digestive system, which helps get things moving through your colon, and taken regularly it can prevent constipation as well.
You will need
1 tablespoon of olive oil
1 teaspoon of lemon juice (optional)
Directions
In the morning consume one tablespoon of olive oil. It works best on an empty stomach, so have it before you eat anything else. If you forget, wait until later when you haven’t eaten for a while. You can mix it with a little bit of lemon juice if you like to lighten the flavor (lemon juice also acts as a natural aid for constipation.)
- Freshen up from the inside out
Ah the scent of a fresh lemon did you ever think your stomach might appreciate it as much as your nose The citric acid in lemon juice acts as a stimulant for your digestive system, and can also help flush out toxins and undigested material that may have built up along the walls of the colon. Mixing the juice with water not only lessens the intensity of the lemon flavor, but helps get you the fluids you need to get everything moving normally again.
You will need
1 fresh lemon
1 cup of warm water
Directions
Squeeze the juice of 1 lemon into 1 cup of warm water. Drink or sip until finished completely.
- Molasses makes the world go around
Blackstrap molasses has been a sweet savior for more than a few sufferers of constipation, be it chronic or occasional. The reason blackstrap molasses works so well is because of how it is made. Regular molasses is essentially pure cane sugar juice boiled to concentrate and crystallize the sugar. The third boiling results in blackstrap molasses, which is crystallized but contains significant amounts of vitamins and minerals, specifically magnesium, which is what helps the constipation. Its natural, tasty, and while you thank goodness someone decided to repeatedly boil a bunch of sugar, your body will thank you for the natural remedy.
You will need
1 teaspoon of blackstrap molasses
warm water or tea (optional)
Directions
Consume one teaspoon of blackstrap molasses. Start slow and small here-if you dont like the flavor of molasses, you can add it to a cup of warm water or tea to dilute the taste. If you find that a teaspoon has not been effective, you can go as high as 1-2 tablespoons, but try less at first.
