
Natural Remedies for Constipation
Constipation… What is it ? Constipation is caused when your digestive system absorbs too much water from your food. The result of this is your stools (poop) which are produced at the end of the digestive process, get dry and hard, and they are not easy to pass when you go to the toilet. Because of this, bowel movements occur less frequently. It can be uncomfortable and not an easy subject to talk about but It is a common gastrointestinal problem that affects all ages. As many as one in five people over the age of 30 experiencing constipation at some point in their lives and chronic constipation has been reported in 15% to 25% of the general population. (1) (2) Constipation can also occur with pregnancy, side effects of some medications and other medical conditions. (3) Most cases are not serious, but, it may signal an underlying disorder or lead to complications. (4) Everybody’s bowel habits are different. 'Normal' bowel habits are several times a day for one person and once every three to four days for another person. In an ideal world, everyone would pass a softly formed stool without any discomfort or pain, once or perhaps twice a day. (5) What Are the Symptoms? A wide range of symptoms can be experienced with constipation.
- Less than three stools a week being passed
- lumpy or hard stools
- straining when having bowel movements
- feeling like there is a blockage that prevents bowel movements
- Feeling as though you can't completely empty the stool when you go to the toilet(6)
- not eating enough fibre
- not drinking enough water
- lack of exercise
- ignoring the urge to go to the toilet
- stress!!!(7)
- have a regular time and place for going to the toilet, preferably after meals
- allow plenty of time. don’t rush. Rushing causes straining
- if you feel the urge to poo then don’t delay
- resting your feet on a low stool, and if possible, raise your knees above your hips when using the toilet. (13)