How to use home remedies for constipation treatment in pregnancy or for infants? Constipation is referred to as a situation where a person has difficulty in passing stool. Infrequent and irregular bowel movements are the standard symptoms of constipation. A person is considered constipated if he or she suffers from irregular bowel movements or experiences pain during passing faces for a period longer than one month. On an average 2-3% adults all over the world suffer from this problem. This is not a serious problem and can be taken care of by following a healthy lifestyle. However, in extreme cases, hospitalization is required. In some people the problem is temporary, while in others it is a chronic problem.
Causes of Constipation:
There are many causes of constipation. Most of them are related to lifestyle habits, whereas in some severe cases, the problem is with the anatomy of the body or a side effect of some serious illness.
Insufficient fiber intake- in order to have a healthy bowel movement it is important to have a healthy amount of fiber in our daily meals. 18grams of fiber is considered ideal for an ideal bowel movement. Fiber is that part of the food, which remains undigested and helps to build up the faces and creates pressure.
Insufficient water consumption- water helps the stool to remain soft and help the undigested faces to pass easily. Failure to consume enough water, dries up the system and leads to hardened faces and hampers smooth bowel movements.
Avoiding the urge for bowel movements – Avoiding repeated urge to undergo bowel movements, will ultimately result in hardened stool build up and curb the body’s natural biological clock and result in constipation.
Side effects of medicine- Certain medicines like anti- depressant, antacids, painkillers and iron tablets, tends to make the stool harder and makes their passage difficult. It is then advisable to consult a physician and take a stool softener to overcome the harmful side effects of this medicine.
Pregnancy- constipation is common during pregnancy, because, during pregnancy, a female body undergoes lots of hormonal changes, which tends to make the stool hardened. Also the baby takes up a lot of space, which tends to push the stool in the corner of the rectum, leading to constipation.
Medical problems. – At times, some individuals are born with medical deformities, like a a narrow colon, which might require surgery to get fixed. Besides this certain disease like diabetes, thyroid and prostate problems, can also lead to constipation due to the effect they have on the hormones of our body.
Lack of physical exercise- A sedentary lifestyle slows down the regular activity of our body muscles and leads to constipation.
Old age- Old age increases our dependency on medicines which is one big reason for constipation. Also the muscles and tissues get weakened and slackened, which results in decreased contraction, resulting I constipation.
Home Remedies for Constipation Treatment at Home:
1.) Lemons for Constipation Treatment
Lemons are a rich source of antioxidant and can help to speed up the bowel movements greatly. They help to contract the muscle and cause bowel movement.
Take a lemon and cut into two halves.
Squeeze out the juice and add to a glass of water.
Add some rock salt and honey and drink this solution, as the first thing in the morning.
Repeat this process twice in the day, i.e once in the morning and once in the night for faster relief from chronic constipation.
2.) Fennel Seeds for Constipation Treatment
Fennel seeds have the unique property of relieving a person from problems like bloating, irritable bowels and constipation. Consuming fennel regularly can help you to get rid of constipation easily.
- Take a handful of fennel seeds and dry roast them on medium heat.
- Once the seeds have cooled down, grind them into a fine powder.
- Add a teaspoon of this fennel seed powder to a glass of water and drink it every day in the morning.
- This powder can be stored in a glass container for further use.
- Repeat this process regularly for quicker relief.
3.) Castor Oil for Constipation Treatment
Castor oil is an excellent laxative and can help to give you immediate relief from prolonged bowel related problems.
- Take a spoonful of castor oil.
- Mix it well in one glass of water.
- Add a few drops of fresh lemon juice
- Drink the mixture.
This drink will most likely have immediate effects on your bowel movements. So make sure, you don’t take it at night, as it may hamper your sleep. Instead, try taking it immediately after waking up in the morning, which will leave you with an ample amount of time to clean your bowel movements.
4.) Honey for Constipation Treatment
Honey is a mild laxative and can help you to get relief from mild constipation, if consumed on a regular basis.
- Measure two spoonful of honey and consume it directly in the morning.
- You can also measure two spoonful of honey and add it to a glass of warm water and drink it in the morning. The warm water will, give you an additional benefit along with the honey, and help you to get rid of bowel movements.
5.) Flax Seeds for Constipation Treatment
Flax seeds are a storehouse of fiber and is well known for curing constipation. It is also a very good source of omega-3 fatty acid, which is a good for curing constipation. The laxative property of flax seeds can be best used when consumed with water early in the morning.
- Take a handful of flax seeds and grind them, using a grinder.
- Take a glass of water and add a spoonful powder into it.
- Combine the water and allow it to rest for a few minutes and the seeds will likely double in quantity.
- Drink the water to get relief from constipation.
6.) Sunflower Seeds and Sesame Seeds for Constipation Treatment
- Both sunflower seeds and sesame seeds high in fiber content and can help in easing bowel movements greatly.
- Take a handful of sesame seeds and sunflower seeds.
- Grind them separately in a grinder.
- Mix both of them well and store them in an airtight container.
- Add one teaspoon of this mixture to a glass water and drink it the first thing in the morning.
- Repeat the process regularly to notice the difference.
7.) Figs for Constipation Treatment
Figs have high fiber content and are traditionally used to help cure the problem of constipation. Fresh as well as dried figs can be used for this purpose.
- Take some figs and wash it well.
- De-seed the figs and make a paste in the blender with the help of water.
- Add this paste to a glass of warm milk and consume it when it is still hot.
- You can also consume the figs directly without making a paste.
8.) Spinach for Constipation Treatment
Leafy greens have always known to give relief from constipation. They are not only healthy for the body, but also contain high amount of fiber, which is important for a patient for a person suffering from constipation.
- Take a handful of spinach leaves and wash them well.
- Put them into a blender and blend them add some water to blend them.
- Strain the juice and drink them.
- You can also consume raw spinach leaves in salads with other vegetables.
9.) Epsom Salt for Constipation Treatment
Epsom salt is a very cheap and easy method of getting quick relief from constipation. It is a well known laxative and it works by drawing water from other parts of the body into the bowel, thereby helping the stool to loosen up and pass off easily.
- Take a spoonful of Epsom salt.
- Mix it in a glass full of water and mix well.
- Gulp it at once, without pause as it may be difficult to drink in sips.
- The effect will be almost immediate.
10.) Dandelion Tea for Constipation Treatment
Dandelion Tea has been used for centuries for curing constipation related problems, though no foolproof evidence has been established to prove its effectiveness.
- Take a bag of dandelion bag and place it in a tea cup.
- Pour some hot water and let it seep for a few minutes.
- After a few minutes, remove the bag and add a sweetener of your choice and drink the tea.
- You can also use dried dandelion roots for this purpose.
- Steep a spoonful of dandelion root in hot water.
- Strain the liquid and drink it.
- Regularly drinking this tea, will provide you with a much needed relief from constipation.
12.) Barley Water for Constipation Treatment
- Barley is a good option for age old patients of constipation, who seem to have lost their appetite for normal food.
- Measure around 100 grams of barley and place it in a pot.
- Cover the pot and add enough water to cover the barley.
- Allow the water and barley mixture to come to a boil, stirring it constantly.
- Add two cups of fresh water into the pot and let it cool.
- Strain the barley and retain the juice.
- Add a few drops of lemon juice and consume the juice for relief from constipation.
13.) Coffee for Constipation Treatment
Coffee is a quick and tasty way to get help for constipation related problem. It helps the muscles in our digestive system to contract and cause good bowel movements. However, it should be remembered that excessive consumption of coffee can lead to diuretic effects. Coffee will tend to suck the water from our system and make our stool harder. So ensure you drink lots of water before drinking coffee. Coffee is never a permanent remedy and should only be used when none of the other options are available.
14.) Yoghurt for Constipation Treatment
Try to incorporate yoghurt in your daily diet. Yoghurt contains beneficial bacteria and can help to keep the digestive system in good shape. The probiotic bacteria in yoghurt can help the food to get digested easily and allow a smooth passage. However, consuming commercially manufactured yoghurt may not give you the required benefits. Organically produced yoghurt is essential for maintaining a healthy digestive system.
Other Useful Tips To Prevent Constipation
Drink lots of water- Drink lots of water around 10- 12 glasses of water, throughout the day, to ensure you don’t suffer from constipation. Water will help to flush out the toxins from the body and soften the stool. Drink at least one glass of warm water in the morning with a tablespoon of lemon juice to flush the toxins out of your body. Don’t try to substitute water with other drinks like juices or soda’s as they have heavy sugar content, which can do more harm than good to your body.
Schedule your bowl movements – Schedule a time of the day, preferably in the morning, which you can reserve for your bowel movements. That way you can program your body in getting adapted to the system. Make sure you stay relaxed at this time and engage yourself in some relaxing stuff like listening to good music or reading the morning newspaper. Tension and excessive stress can lead to constipation problems.
Exercise regularly- Engage in regular exercises, so that the muscles in your digestive system remain tight and can contract easily under the right circumstances. Even if it is not possible for you to hit the gym regularly, take a brisk walk at lunch time or in the evening, to ensure your body remains active and in proper shape.
Lifestyle changes – Incorporate a healthy lifestyle. Try to get up early in the morning and not work late in the night. Late night activities take a toll on the entire body and prevents the food from getting digested properly, which in turn, can lead to improper nutrition and constipated bowel movement. Practice yoga or other types of meditation, which can reduce stress and improve the working of the internal organs of your body.
Healthy diet – Include a lot of fiber in your diet. Eat green leafy vegetables. Stay away from starchy food like pasta and cakes, which can lead to the hard stool formation. Fiber based foods like seeds and legumes should form an essential part of your diet. They will not only help you to fight constipation, but also ensure your body remains free from all types of toxins. Avoid eating fried foods. Eat only when you feel hungry. Avoid compulsive or binge eating. Always chew your food well before swallowing them, so that they can be digested easily.