Remedy for Constipation

A constipation treatment mainly involves lifestyle and dietary changes, and only when these fail to work, should pharmaceutical laxatives and other medical procedures be taken into consideration. The treatment for constipation also varies depending on the cause of the problem. That’s why several types of blood and stool tests may be necessary together with a physical examination of the patient, so that the root of this evil is found.

Irritable bowel syndrome, intestinal parasites, liver dysfunctions, lactose intolerance and hypothyroidism are some of the more serious health problems that trigger constipation. Yet, in most situations, constipation results from dietary imbalances and unhealthy habits.

Guidelines for a personal constipation treatment

A sedentary lifestyle is most often associated with constipation. Start exercising regularly for 45-60 minutes, three times per week.

Supplement the fiber intake in your diet by eating more fresh fruits, whole grains and beans. Make sure you hydrate adequately because water fights constipation effectively. Meat, cheese and processed foods have little or no fiber, thus aggravating constipation. Eliminate while flour and refined sugar from your diet as well.

There are herbal teas that are pleasant to drink and have a very healthy effect on the digestive tract. A cup of chamomile tea sweetened with honey alleviates abdominal pain and bloating while encouraging easy stool elimination.

Find time for bowel movements. This might sound funny, but lots of people fight the urge to have a bowel movement because it’s not the right time, and then constipation settles in. An undisturbed daily visit to the toilet is a must.

Laxatives

Only if lifestyle and dietary changes have failed, should laxatives be considered. Their main disadvantage is that they form a habit, not to mention that they weaken the bowel muscles, leading to constipation in time. There are various types of options for constipation treatment of which we mention:

Bulk laxatives or fiber supplements which are considered the safest. They have a high fiber content and they need to be administered with plenty of water. Citrucel, FiberCon or Serutan are just some examples of a long list of supplements.

Stimulants are laxatives that induce contractions in the intestines and thus the bowel movement. They have the disadvantage we’ve mentioned above, that of affecting the normal function of the bowel muscles. Correctol and Dulcolax are highly popular for this category.

Lubricants like mineral oil makes it easier for the stool to pass through the colon.

Stool softeners prevent dehydration and soften the stool. An example here is Colace.

Saline laxatives ease the stool passage by drawing water in the colon. Milk of magnesia has this kind of sponge-like action.

Constipation treatment for specific causes

Pregnant women are more prone to suffer from constipation due to the slowed digestion processes necessary for nutrients absorption in the placenta. The dietary recommendations best apply to the treatment of pregnancy-related constipation, yet, you need to talk to a doctor and have a safe laxative prescribed that would not trigger uterus contractions and premature labor.

In case there is an ailment underlying constipation, treatment must be targeted for the cause.