Remedy for Constipation

Laxatives as relief for constipation are fine as they are used for mild, occasional problems with the bowel frequency. Over the counter remedies often fail in cases of moderate to severe constipation, and a treatment needs then to be established together with the doctor.

There are various types of laxatives, with a variable degree of effectiveness and side effects. Hence several aspects ought to be taken into consideration, even if laxatives are safe, effective and well-tolerated in general.

Laxative types

Bulk-forming laxatives are most commonly prescribed as relief for constipation. They take up to three days to be effective, although they usually induce a bowel movement within 12 hours after administration. They are mostly derived from natural sources like psyllium, and their main action is to lubricate the colon and soften the stool.

Emollient laxatives add moisture to the stool and prevent feces from hardening. They actually help prevent constipation rather than treat it. Such laxatives are usually prescribed to people who cannot strain while defecating: women who’ve just given birth or patients who’ve undergone surgery.

Mineral oil belongs to the category of lubricant laxatives, also used to avoid straining. Such compounds designed to offer relief for constipation should not be used by people who take Warfarin or other blood thinning agents, and they should not be combined with emollient laxatives due to the high risk of the mineral oil being absorbed into the organs.

Stimulant laxatives increase the bowel movements by increasing the contractions of the intestinal muscles. An example of popular stimulant laxative is castor oil. The downside to this category of constipation cures is that they have various side effects such as:

–    making the intestinal muscles weaker
or
–    sharp pain caused by the intestinal spasms.

Natural relief for constipation

There are herbs and dietary solutions that can help you deal with constipation efficiently. For instance, aloe vera juice drunk on the empty stomach has excellent detoxification properties. It enhances the metabolism, it stimulates the body into burning more fat and it increases the frequency of the bowel movements.

Green tea consumed regularly for about three months or so will eliminate constipation, cleanse the system and fight old age. A cup of green tea per day is the key to longevity according to Chinese traditional medicine.

Seaweeds can offer significant relief for constipation whether eaten in salads or administered in the form of supplements. Seaweeds have a high content of minerals and vitamins. They support the body’s natural vitality and they offer a whole range of nutrients that your diet may lack in.

Dealing with remedy inefficiency…

Not all remedies are successfully used against constipation. The individual reaction to a certain type of treatment cannot be anticipated due to personal uniqueness. Therefore, chances are that you may try all sorts of anti-constipation cures before identifying the combination that has the highest efficiency rate.

Sometimes, you may have to change the treatment after a while when a certain remedy in particular no longer offers relief for constipation.