If you want to use a natural cure for constipation you need to do a number of things relating to how you live your life and what your diet consists of. But unlike medicinal treatments and other treatment methods a natural cure is both a simple and easy to practice and have far less side effects than the others. Often natural cures are able to eliminate completely infrequent or mild bouts of constipation.
Dietary changes which a person suffering from constipation should make should include them eating more fiber which is found in fresh fruit (bananas, apples, papaya, grapes and oranges), fresh vegetables, whole grains and pulses. They should also ensure that they drink a minimum of 8 glasses of water each day.
A good thing that you should avoid if you are suffering from constipation is alcohol, processed and junk goods, foods and drinks which contain caffeine as they can cause dehydration and avoid drugs and medication if you can.
Guava (but is must have the seeds) because of their roughness is a great way of getting relief from constipation. Also eating bran cereal not just for adults but for children as well is another way of safeguarding against constipation. A more natural way for the elderly to deal with constipation is to drink milk that has either extra sugar or honey in it.
A great natural way of helping to prevent and alleviate constipation is to exercise daily you do not need to exercise vigorously all you need to do is walk for about 30 to 40 minutes each day will be more than enough.
Today there are many kinds of natural laxatives available which will help cure constipation and they are made to relax the bowel muscle walls and reduce any anxiety or tension that a person feels. They are also good for enhancing the functions of a person’s liver and gall bladder and improve the flow of bile in the body which improves the digestion of food.
For many centuries herbs were used by tribes and some cultures around the world and are becoming more and more popular as a natural way of treating constipation. Herbs such as Aloe Vera, Dandelion (Taraxacum Officinale) and the Passiflora Species are ones which have laxative properties and also help the digestive system as well as acting as a tonic for a person’s liver. These herbs can often be used in treating both chronic and occasional bouts of constipation and almost all of them have no side effects associated with them.
You can buy these herbs in tablet form as well and each tablet contains a definite amount of the fresh herb within them. So with these you are able to change the amount you take according to the type of constipation you are suffering from. Also most of these tablets can be used alongside a digestion tonic as well.
So as you can see there are a number of natural cures for constipation that are available and which will assist if you should suffer from this problem at any point in your life.
Lee Dobbins
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/finding-a-natural-cure-for-constipation-103869.html
Here are two constipation remedies that you can use for a mild case of constipation and for a chronic case of constipation.
Apple and Pear Juice
If you have a mild case of constipation, you can use this remedy to get results.
Prepare equal amounts of fresh apple and pear juice. Drink this combination when you first wake up and one hour before bedtime.
Juice the pears that are slightly hard. If the pear is ripe, it is best to blend it whole with apple juice to create a thick drink. Using the whole pear will give you additional fiber. Just remove the seeds but do not peel the organic type.
Pears have minerals, vitamins, and chemicals that help to clean out your colon, kidney and to regenerate your blood cells.
Apple Juice and Prune Juice
Here’s a constipation remedy that you can use if you have chronic constipation. In addition to just drinking apple juice, you can accelerate your peristaltic action with prune juice.
Here’s how to do it.
If you have a juicer you can make fresh apple juice and drink 3-4 glasses a day. You can also drink store-bought apple juice but try to get fresh squeezed and not the type that has been flash pasteurized or pasteurized. If you can find fresh apple juice then use flash pasteurized.
Buy your juice in glass containers if possible.
Plastic containers are processed using solvents that stay in the container walls and gradually outgas into the apple juice. This out gassing is more severe when plastic containers are stored in hot places.
To speed up the laxative effects of apple juice, take the following combination first thing in the morning before you have breakfast,
Drink 2-3 cups of prune juice.
After ½ hour, drink one cup of apple juice
Then, 1-hour later drinks another cup of apple juice.
I usually buy my prune juice in a bottle and fresh squeeze my apple juice.
Be prepared to head for the bathroom after you drink your prune juice and your first glass of apple juice. You may need to head to the bathroom soon after you drink prune juice, everyone is different. I have used this combination and have recommended it to my clients and have had good results.
Prune juice by itself is good for constipation. It is a safe, gentle and an effective laxative. Drink a cup in the morning and a cup in the evening. Prune juice contain the substance dihydrophenylisatin, which is responsible for the laxative action. Prunes are also high in iron and are a great supplement if you are anemic or low on iron.
If you add prune juice to your diet, do not drink as much of it as you would when you have constipation. Drink ½ glasses in the morning and perhaps ½ glasses in the evening.
Rudy Silva
http://www.articlesbase.com/alternative-medicine-articles/constipation-remedy-using-apples-and-other-juices-113722.html
Finding an effective constipation remedy that will help relieve the pain can seem quite daunting for those who regularly suffer from constipation. Constipation is a condition where a person has difficulty moving their bowels and there are a number of ways in which it can be diagnosed such as a physical examination, colorectal transit study, anorectal function tests, barium enema x-ray, and sigmoidoscopy or through a colonoscopy.
However there are number of constipation remedies around which should hopefully help to improve the situation as well as remove the problem.
A good one to use is to train your bowel. If you can attempt to have a bowel movement at the same time each day (preferably first thing in the morning) as this is when your colon activity is at its highest and you can practice this quite easily.
Ensure that you improve your eating habits but including plenty of high fiber foods (cereals), and lots of fresh fruit and vegetables. It is important that if you suffer from constipation you limit the amount of ice cream, cheese, meat and processed foods that you consume.
Drink plenty of water (about 1.5-2 litres each day) and avoid those drinks which can cause dehydration such as coffee and alcohol.
Also take up some form of regular exercise and not only will it help to alleviate the problems associated with constipation it will provide you with other health benefits as well.
However, if you find that are still not having regular bowel movements even if you have made the changes above then you wish to consider using a bulk forming laxative such Psyllium or Methylcellulose and they can be used for a long time without any side effects.
There are also other medications that can be used to remedy constipation such as Hyprosmotics, Lactulose, Polyethylene Glycol, Glycerin and Sorbital as well as salines like Magnesium Hydroxide, Magnesium Citrate and Sodium Phosphate.
However if you have found that neither of the above methods work for you then you may try such medications as Anthraquinones such as Cascara Sagrada, Emollients such as Docusates, Senna and Mineral Oil. There are also stimulants such as Phenolphthalein, Castor Oil or Bisacodyl which may also help to remedy the problems associated with constipation but such medications as these need to be used under strict supervision of a doctor or healthcare worker and only as a short term measure as most of these have some side effects.
People who are using laxatives should discontinue use slowly and after some time the colon will be restored to its normal working balance.
Finally, you should only use enemas or suppositories as an emergency treatment and if all else fails then surgery may be your only alternative.
Lee Dobbins
http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/get-regular-with-this-constipation-remedy-guide-102070.html
As more and more “traditional” products and medicines hit the drug store shelves faster and faster, many people don’t realize the tremendous benefits that can be enjoyed by the use of natural remedies. Natural remedies contain only a fraction of the chemical preservatives, if any at all, compared to their traditional medicine counterparts. Although there are many over the counter and prescription medicines available for heartburn relief, natural remedies for heartburn may be just as effective and cause fewer side effects. You have probably seen the commercials on television for a new traditional remedy for something as simple as heartburn, but the ending disclaimers in the commercial list ten times as many possible detrimental side effects as the single symptom that it is supposed to cure!
Using prescription and/or natural remedies for acid reflux while you are trying to lose weight does make sense, and, in fact, some of the natural remedies may even help assist with weight loss, such as mangosteen, although the evidence from various scientific studies in on this topic is not totally conclusive. If you are looking for natural herbal remedies or nature friendly products, there are many oils and herbal remedies that should help you get started. There are herbal and botanical products that some experts consider as natural remedies and alternatives to prescription drugs. In fact, some medical experts consider the natural remedies to actually be superior to traditional medicines because of the notably shorter list of detrimental side effects.
Health enhancing, natural or herbal remedies should never be used alongside synthetic or prescription drugs without the prescribing doctor’s knowledge. There may be some chemical conflicts that while not apparent, your doctor should know about and can advise you about. You may want to begin to incorporate the benefits of natural health into your everyday life by stocking your medicine cabinet with herbal remedies, replacing non-natural brand-name products. For example, rhubarb is one of the natural remedies for heartburn and indigestion used by Native Americans for many decades.
Ginko Biloba is one of the best-known natural remedies for Attention Deficit Disorder and has been shown to be an aid for memory retention. But just like with traditional prescription medicines, be sure you understand what you are treating, and be sure to treat the disease and not just the symptom. For example, before we jump into the natural remedies for your itchy skin rash, it is important to understand what may be the root cause of the rash so you can prevent further outbreaks.
For gum disease and other gum problems, vitamin D is also one of the best natural remedies easily available. Also one of the best natural gum disease remedies known today is tea tree oil gel. Overall, given its absence of toxic reactions and its effectiveness at promoting high-quality sleep, valerian root remains one of the best natural remedies for insomnia. Natural remedies for insomnia try to cure the factors, which results the sleeplessness and induce the various triggering factors that cause restful sleep to occur.
All of these ingredients can alleviate many of the symptoms of ADD, and there are a variety of natural remedies on the market that combine some of the listed ingredients to produce successful results. If you’re losing your hair because of stress, on the other hand, then giving yourself some time to rest and relax would be the best among the hair loss remedies available to you. Remedies for lack of sleep, stress relief and relaxation, depression, anxiety, pain, weight loss, hair loss, skin problems and more are some of the most popular and in-demand herbal products currently on the market today.
Using natural detergents for diaper laundry is gaining popularity with young parents. Residues left in commercial detergents may be harsh, drying the baby’s skin and causing further baby irritation. As you use natural remedies, keep in mind that one particular remedy may not work for you. To keep your body in chemical balance, it is important to use only natural remedies for constipation.
In summary, you may want to try natural remedies and see how they work for you. Results vary from person to person, but most people find that natural remedies work extremely well for them, and are also significantly less expensive than their prescription counterparts.
Jon Arnold
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/how-to-enjoy-better-health-with-natural-remedies-92601.html
Causes and Symptoms: Constipation is a condition in which the bowels are opened too seldom or incompletely. The patient may pass infrequent and hard, dry stools. The main symptoms is the desire to void the stools but the inability to do so. It is extremely irritating condition but easy to deal with if you go about the treatment in the right manner.
It is a common complaint and a large number of persons depend on laxatives and even purgatives to clear their bowels. You will find that the largest sale is of remedies to relieve constipation. And if you count the cost of cigarettes, cigars, tea and coffee taken under the mistaken belief that it will help activate the bowels, the money spend on the treatment of this complaint would be stupendous sum.
Most of the people who suffer from constipation do not understand the way the human body functions. It leads to may other symptoms like heaviness and headaches, lethargy, loss of appetite, insomnia and apathy. As a matter of fact, any disease is an indication of malfunctioning of the machine that is the human body and costiveness is the grandmother of all ailments.
If your body is unable to expel the waste matter that remains after the digestive organs have taken out the essential elements necessary for the sustenance of the human body, it leads to further purification and gases harmful for its functioning.
After the food has been digested, it passes into the colon and that part of the body has a great capacity for absorption of liquids. If it loses its tone, that is, if its muscles become weak or inactive, the stools have a tendency to adhere to it and continue to purify leading to flatulence and other symptoms. Retention of stools could lead to poisoning of the whole system.
How does a purgative or laxative act? When it passes through the digestive tract, it procedures, by chemical reaction, new liquids which flush the colon and the stools adhering to it are voided in liquid form. But such substances are habit-forming and a chronic patient would need harder and more effective purgatives as time passes.
Constipation is an unnatural and abnormal condition. Nature has endowed the intestines with the capacity to void the waste matter that remains after foods has been digested. We must, therefore, take the foods in their natural form, which we generally do not do. We pass the wheat through a sieve and polish the rice. We over boil the milk and sometimes turn it into a solid without its natural moisture. Sugarcane juice is turned into sugar. We adulterate our foods with spices and condiments-substances, which the body does not need at all.
Treatment:The treatment of constipation should start in the kitchen and not in the lavatory. Eat the wheat flour without passing it through a sieve; unmilled and unpolished rice is the best. Your food should contain two parts fruits and vegetables and one-part cereals. Boil the milk only once; let is not thickening by over boiling. That would give your food the roughage it needs and help the atonic muscles to void the waste matter. If you do this, your campaign against constipation has a good start.
In case of chronic constipation, eat more of cucumber, tomatoes, carrots, spinach and cabbage. The total intake of these should be a minimum of 250 grammes in the day. Eat them as you eat salad-season it with a pinch of salt and juice of a lemon in order to make it more palatable.
Eat there in twenty-four hours, but if you have crossed forty, do not exceed two meals in the day. Do not take it literally; you can eat fruits in between the meals, but in reasonable quantities. Better still, make fruits a part of your morning and evening meals. Talking of fruits, the best fruits are seasonal and those, which are available to you within hours of having been picked.
Some people suffer from constipation because their intake of water or liquids is too insufficient. The water intake should be three to four litres in summer and one to two litres in winter. A glass of water taken in the morning immediately after walking up can help many cases of constipation.
The intestine, 8.5 to 9 meters long, is in the form of the one continuous tube suspended in loops in the abdominal cavity. At the lower end is the large intestine through which your stools pass via the rectum. If the muscles of the large intestine lose their tone or strength, stools tend to adhere to its insides. Atony of the intestine can be cured by exercise. A walk in the morning or evening, better still jagging will help.
Another way to help the intestine to void the stool is to cool it. Take a rough towel, fold it so that it can absorb water and place it on your lower abdomen after immersing it in cold water. Let the coolness percolate to the abdomen for about fifteen minutes. Or, you can take a mudpack. Take about one kilogramme of clay and knead it into a dough like consistency and spread it evenly on your lower abdomen-from the navel to the pubes. Some people are known to have benefited more from a mud bath than from a cold towel. It should be done before you for a walk. Cooling and then warming it through exercise helps the large intestine regain its tone.
In the beginning, you may not have the urge to bid your bowels. But do not wait for the “call” of nature. Visit the toilet at the time you usually do, even if the “call” is not there. Remember that habit plays an important part. The best course would be to drink about half a litre of water and take a walk for ten to fifteen minutes before you visit the toilet immediately after dinner: it may surprise you to hear of intake of food followed by the effort of void your bowels, but remember that it takes fourteen to eighteen hours for the waste matter left after absorption of food into the system to leave the body. The churning of the stomach and the resultant activity of the intestines when you are ingesting food helps relieve constipation.
After you have formed the habit of visiting the toilet at an appointed hour in the morning and the evening, you will not have to spend more than four to five minutes there. In the beginning of the treatment suggested you might have to spend a quarter of an hour.
Patients suffering from amnesia (loss of memory), constant fatigue, insomnia or insufficient sleep, incipient gout, asthma, indigestion, headache, lumbago, and general weakness have found surease from these symptoms when they have regained in facility to void stools. A hip bath taken for five to ten minutes before they go for their constitutional in the morning or evening can help ameliorate their suffering caused by these ailments.
Read more information regarding Natural Home Remedies for Constipation and Natural Home Remedies
Dr John Anne
http://www.articlesbase.com/alternative-medicine-articles/natural-home-remedies-for-constipation-59676.html
Even though it is not something that a lot of people like to talk about, we all have to deal with constipation on occasion. As a child I was told that I had a problem with this, but I never felt any sort of pain. When I would get sick, someone would always inevitably ask me when was the last time I used the bathroom. At that time in my life it was only once every two or three days, and they were always concerned that something was wrong with me. One particular babysitter was very concerned about my problem even though it wasn’t bothering me. She often talked about natural cures for constipation to make things better for me.
My mother wasn’t concerned because she had talked to my doctor about it and he wasn’t concerned. As long as I was not in any sort of pain, or is not affecting my health, he saw nothing wrong with the frequency of my trips to the bathroom. He did however say that natural cures for constipation may help me become more regular as I got older. When you think of natural cures for constipation you may be thinking of some sort of medicine, but you should know that there are simpler ways to go about this.
Some of the best natural cures for constipation are things that you eat every day. In many cases, there are no medications needed. If you were to eat, for example, raisin bran on a daily basis, you will find that you are more regular thing you ever were before. Other natural cures for constipation might be eating prunes, though they are not very pleasant, or any other type of fruit that aids in digestion. You may also want to try cereals that are high in fiber each morning for breakfast.
For some people though, these natural cures for constipation don’t work. When you are constipated, there is not enough liquid in your system. You may want to concentrate on drinking more water, and staying away from foods that are known to cause constipation. If you have a thing for cheese, you may want to cut back on how much you eat. If you find that you are still having problems, you may want to talk to your doctor about other natural cures for constipation that you have not considered yet. If these don’t work, your doctor may have to give you a prescription or do some additional testing to find out what is going on with your body.
Ann Marier
http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/the-best-natural-cures-for-constipation-come-from-the-choice-of-food-we-eat-113222.html
One of the most important tips you can receive if you are dealing with constipation is to not avoid eating breakfast. The bowels can go to sleep at night. Eating a meal for breakfast and consuming a hot beverage can wake up your bowels. If you are dealing with constipation and you lead a very busy life in the morning, you should work to rearrange your schedule so you can retrain your bowels. Allow yourself time to eat. Once your bowels have been retrained you should expect to have a bowel movement about a half hour after breakfast.
Another important constipation tip is learning how to sit on the toilet so your bowels can open properly. Placing a stool under your feet when you are sitting on the toilet can help your body assume the squatting position that is necessary for proper elimination. Once you have positioned your feet on the stool, relax, lean forward and place your elbows on your thighs.
When you are sitting on the toilet, it is important that you do not hold your breath when you are trying to eliminate a stool. A good constipation tip is to breathe in your nose and out through your mouth. Holding your breath while you are trying to pass a stool can actually hamper the elimination process because it closes up the bottom.
Another constipation tip for those who are prone to straining is to learn how to push without actually straining. When you have placed your feet on the stool, simply lean forward and breathe normally. This will enable your stomach muscles to push the stool out without straining. Essentially, you are pushing from your waist.
If you are dealing with constipation you should increase your dietary fiber and consume an adequate amount of water. Eat green leafy vegetables and fruits. Munching on dried fruits throughout the day can also help to relieve constipation. Drinking a glass of water the first thing in the morning can also help to regulate the bowels. Try to eat at the same time each day so you can get your system on a regular schedule.
You should always respond to any sign that your bowels want to move. Delaying or putting off a bowel movement can aggravate constipation. No matter where you are, if you feel like your bowels want to move, find a bathroom.
You should also try to become more active. Taking a small walk every day can go far in helping your constipation. You do not have to join a gym or take up an expensive exercise. Simply taking a walk in the evening after supper will suffice.
Another constipation tip is to cleanse and detoxify the body. Oxy-Powder is an all natural product that can clean out your pipes and keep you regular. It works by oxidizing the mucous, sludge and fecal matter that has built up in your system. Not only does Oxy-Powder work to clean out your system, but it sets up a welcome environment for the good bacteria that is needed to keep your digestive system healthy. Oxy-Powder is recommended for someone who wants to rid their life of constipation once and for all.
If you are prone to constipation, you should avoid food that are fried, fatty, spicy and are full of preservatives. These foods are very hard to digest and put a strain on your body’s digestive enzymes. If you think your system is depleted of enzymes you can supplement your dies with enzymes.
Watch the type of medication you take. Many medications (both prescription and non-prescription) can aggravate or cause constipation. Take with a pharmacist about any medications you are given to see if it can cause constipation.
Try to avoid stimulant laxatives. Many of these can actually make constipation worse because they can make the bowels lazy. While they may provide temporary relief, it is just not worth the potential problems. If you need to have your system cleaned out, use a product like Oxy-Powder that we referenced above. Oxy-Powder cleanses the colon and helps you to maintain regular bowel movements.
The last constipation tip is to not assume that constipation is simply a fact of life – because it does not have to be. Whether you are young or old, you can take the steps needed to become regular. Don’t let constipation dictate your lifestyle to you. With a little time and attention, you can kick constipation to the curb for good.
The Colon Cleansing & Constipation Resource Center
http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/tips-on-relieving-preventing-constipation-89971.html
A new Epidemic
It may seem silly to call the rise in gastrointestinal diseases caused by our affluent society an epidemic. Still, it can’t be denied that the human suffering, the work days missed and the health care expenses have many in our modern society yearning for the good old days.
Medical costs for digestive problems are estimated at 50 billion dollars a year. About 200,000 workers stay home from work every day because they are suffering from sudden constipation or diarrhea or some other digestive disturbance.
Are we Poisoning Ourselves?
A lot of adults will concur that they suffer from sluggish bowels. Many wholistic practitioners believe this toxic build-up in our colon is a form of autointoxication. This waste material that sits in our colons for far too long can, over time, cause many chronic degenerative diseases.
Then, there is a re-absorption into the bloodstream of all that waste that gets carried throughout the body.
Some of the results of this are chronic fatigue and body weakness, depression, nervousness, skin problems, ulcers, headaches, arthritic joints, swelling in the feet and hands- the list goes on.
You would think that any country that spends a cool billion dollars a year on antacids has a health concern going on.
Common Digestive Complaints
Let’s take a look at some of the ways that our bowels are complaining to us about our lifestyle.
- Diarrhea – Although it’s a common symptom, it can develop for hundreds of reasons. Over use of laxatives, an adverse reaction to a medication, complications of diabetes and thyroid trouble and infection from contaminated foods or drink are some of the things that cause diarrhea.
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome – Doctors attribute this disorder to stress. It shows as bloating, abdominal discomfort, gas, diarrhea and sometimes-sudden constipation. This illness can stop making someone’s life miserable as fast as it began, with no real noticeable reason for this happening.
- Diverticular Disease – Little pouches that develop in the walls of the large bowel cause this. It can affect about ½ of the population of people over 50, but it doesn’t always have symptoms. When the little pouches get inflamed, there is pain, diarrhea or sudden constipation and fever. Surgery is a last resort, but might be necessary if diet changes and medications fail.
- Colitis – Nobody has found the cause of this inflammation of the colon. It usually shows up when people are in their 20’s and 30’s. Severe diarrhea, with blood and mucus in the stool and abdominal pain are symptoms. Medications can help, but most of the time surgery is needed.
- Crohn’s disease – This disease seems to affect young people, too. Stomachache, diarrhea and weight loss are signals of the disease. Some people can manage with medication, but most will need surgical intervention.
- Cancer – Any sudden change in bowel habit, such as sudden constipation should be looked into. There may also be persistent abdominal pain, weight loss and bleeding from the bowel. Colon cancer is on the rise, but is often cured if caught early.
Colon Cancer
Many report that sudden constipation is what alarmed them enough to go to a doctor. As colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer, people need to be clear about the importance of early treatment. If you are enjoying regularity and you develop sudden constipation, have it looked at by your doctor.
Other than sudden constipation you should never wait to see your physician if your bowel movements are black. This is often a sign of bleeding from somewhere.
If you or someone you know has a genetic predisposition to cancer, it is a good idea to make diet changes now. A diet that is high in meat, or high in fat and low in fiber is putting your health at risk.
Remember: people who are 50 years and over are at a higher risk of developing colon cancer, so any warning sign, such as sudden constipation, should have you making an appointment with your physician.
A Healthy Colon
If you’ve been eating a lot of unhealthy foods, a good colon cleansing might be in order. Many people are opting for a spring-cleaning of the colon and claim renewed vitality, better skin and nails and other health benefits because of it.
There is no need for taking any harsh, colon-cleansing regimes that have you sitting near the bathroom door. One product that is very gentle and uses natural oxygenated magnesium, germanium and citric acid to actually liquefy and clean out waste material is Oxy-Powder®. You may not suffer from sudden constipation, but if you’ve had bouts of constipation or sluggish movements, chances are you’ll want to do some cleansing. It is never too late to get your colon in tip-top shape.
The Colon Cleansing & Constipation Resource Center
http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/sudden-constipation-americas-new-epidemic-89970.html