Relieving Constipation: the Natural Methods
Popular Methods
When it comes to relieving constipation, we are a society expecting quick fixes. We want it out and now, right? It’s no surprise we spend about 900 million dollars on laxatives each year. Laxatives, though, should be a last resort for many reasons. Since they are available without a prescription we tend to think of them as safe. Unfortunately, they can become habit-forming quickly and they are harmful to your body in the long-term.
Types of Laxatives:
- Bulk laxatives – This is the best type of laxative to relieve constipation for prolonged use. Though usually taking a few days to start working, they can provide some relief. Remember to drink plenty of water. Bulk laxatives include: psyllium husk (available through health food stores), bran, ispaghula husk, and sterculia.
- Stimulant laxatives – These laxatives aim at increasing bowel contractions but can cause stomach cramps as a side effect. These are taken at night to have a morning bowel movement, as they are supposed to work within 6-12 hours. Senna is an example of a stimulant laxative. Although they work to relieve constipation, experts believe the contractions cause weakening of the digestive muscles which will eventually make the problem worse. Since these laxatives cause contractions, they are not safe for pregnant women. Glycerol suppositories are included in this group. Although they are inserted into the rectum, they still act as a stimulant.
- Osmotic laxatives – These go to work at relieving constipation by helping the bowel retain water and by softening the stool. Epsom salts and Milk of Magnesia are osmotic laxatives.
- Lactulose – This medication comes in crystals or liquid form. A type of sugar that isn’t digested by the body, Lactulose acts like a fiber and osmotic laxative combined. This type takes up to 3 days to work and may cause cramping and profuse gas.
There are other medications that act as stool softeners, which basically coat the bowel so water doesn’t get absorbed from the stool. Since the body naturally removes water from the colon, it isn’t suitable as a long-term solution for relieving constipation.
Natural Methods – Fiber In, Fiber Out
Adding fiber to your diet is essential to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, relatively free of constipation. If you think fiber means just eating more bran, think again. You can also add fiber to your diet via fruits (with the skin), green vegetables, nuts, grains and seeds. Nuts and grains are also important because they are a good source of essential fatty acids (especially flaxseed or flax oil) which are wonderful options to relieve constipation naturally.
Adding fiber to your diet may make you feel like a gas-filled balloon at first. If your body has been used to eating white flour, heavy starches, fatty meats, and other low fiber foods, it may take some time to get used to it. Don’t give up after one short week. Remember, it probably took years of eating a low fiber diet to make constipation an issue in your intestines. Give fiber a chance! After 14-21 days of including more fiber in your diet, you’ll start to wonder why you didn’t make it a priority before.
Forming new habits really means you’re getting rid of the old one. If relieving constipation is your goal, you’ll want to stay away from the constipation culprits like: white flour, fried foods, sweets, carbonated drinks, alcohol, refined sugars, and cheese.
Maintain Your Flora
No, we’re not talking about your vegetable garden. Good bacterial flora is essential for proper digestion. In fact, if you took all the bacteria in your digestive system and put them all together you’d have a mass the size and weight of a brick. When we abuse laxatives and enemas, we can create havoc on the good bacteria we need to avoid diarrhea and help relieve constipation.
Eating yogurt with live cultures is one way to maintain your flora population. Be sure to read the label of your yogurt container. It should say it contains “live and active cultures.” If you’d rather not take their word for it, check the ingredients for Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophius.
Refrain From the Strain
With some people, constipation stems from issues with muscle coordination. They seem to contract the anus muscles when they should be relaxing them. There are certain biofeedback methods available for people who suffer with this problem. The treatment is used on those suffering from severe constipation linked directly to this muscle contraction issue.
Weekly Cleansing
Most of the waste matter produced from the food we eat gets passed out within a 72-hour period. Sometimes, up to 30% of that waste can sit in the colon for a week or more. Since retaining waste is not good for the body or health, a weekly cleansing of the colon will go a long way at relieving constipation. Oxy-Powder® is a safe way to clean out any waste that may be loitering in your colon and using it once a week will help improve bowel function. Remember the following: Avoid chemical laxatives. True, they can work for a while but along with those results come the weakened bowels, potentially unsafe contractions, and other nasty side effects. Add fiber to you diet. Fiber bulks up your stool and helps it retain water, which makes it easier to move along. There are many tasty and nutritious sources of fiber from which you can choose, so don’t fear that you’ll have to eat twigs or acorns or something. Keep a good quantity of bacteria on hand. Especially while undertaking a thorough colon cleansing program, replenish your flora with healthful and yummy yogurt. Relax and go. Don’t strain or try to force out impacted waste. You can end up tearing tissue and hurting yourself in the process. Cleanse naturally. Leave the chemicals in your garage where they belong and try a supplement especially suited for the job, one that just helps clean your colon so it can work its best again. Follow these guidelines to help relieve constipation and you can feel great again!
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The colon cleansing & Constipation Resource Center
http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/relieving-constipation-the-natural-methods-89966.html
Safe And Natural Ways To Detox And Cleanse The Body
Posted on November 2nd, 2009 by Colon Max Cleanse
Filed under: natural colon cleansing
What’s a natural method for relieving infant constipation besides prune juice?
I’m overseas and don’t have access to prune juice. I also don’t trust the medicines here. Some have been quite horrible. I’ve tried grape juice that I squeezed out of the grapes myself but it doesn’t seem to be helping. Does anyone know of anything else that will help?
Forgot to mention–she’s 3 months almost 4. She hasn’t pooped in about 2 weeks and she’s obviously distressed.
I wouldnt do this all the time but rectal temp will relieve the pain make sure you use vasiline also 2 ounces water 1 ounce juice—– two weeks ?? I would go to the er
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I dont know how old your child is but you can mix about 1oz apple juice with 2oz water. And give it a few hours. Also try letting your little soak in the bath tub even if its for like an hour.
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sometimes taking a rectal temp will help. just put some vaseline on the thermometer and once you have it in gently rotate it around. pears also help my baby. either pear juice or pear baby food could possibly help.
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rectal temp
pears
apples
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My doctor told me to mix a teaspoon of dark karo syrup in their bottle because it is a natural laxative. I can’t tell you how many times I have to do this with my girls and it does work.
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1 teaspoon of Karo syrup
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I agree with all of them but the one that sounds the best for you at the time would be the Karo Syrup.
I wasnt sure the first time about using it because I didn’t know what it was really. But it worked so good!!!!
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I am a mom of a soon to be 1 year old. Born 10/19/2008
My pediatrician recommended giving my daughter 2 ounces of apple juice. If not using baby apple juice mix half juice half water. You can also feed your baby pureed prunes or applesauce. I alternate with my daughter everyday to help keep her regular. I rotate prunes, applesauce, apple juice and an apple prune mix everyday. I found this helps her tremendously. If your baby isn’t on solids yet I would maybe just try the juice or pureed prunes one time. To use prune juice you could buy a bag of pitted prunes (you can find them by the raisins and such in the supermarket). Take about 5 prunes and simmer them in enough water to just cover. Simmer until they start to fall apart, then take them out of the water and puree in your food processor or blender. You can use the water mixture as prune juice if you like, or use it to thin out the pureed prunes. I freeze the extra in ice cube trays until set then transfer to ziploc bags…this way I always have them on hand. I also take my apples and peel and chop them. Then simmer in enough water to cover. Heat until they are easily cut with a butter knife. Puree these in the processor or blender as well adding the water to thin out. Freeze any excess for a later day. I hope this helps
I have also found that my daughter gets comfort from a lower back rub (not too hard though). It seems to ease discomfort for her until her prunes kick in. Good Luck!
Added after post:
If it has been 2 weeks I would go see a doc asap. She may need an enema or professional help. Generally you should not let it go for more than a couple of days if bottle feeding and around 3-4 if breastfeeding.
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2 weeks warrants a trip to the dr.
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I’m from Australia
what worked BEST for our son was Coloxyl Drops – just bought them over the counter at the Chemist
it doesnt give them dioreaah, but it ‘loosens’ everything up and they can poo within an hour or so
the best fast treatment, and you just put the drops in thier bottle
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