Constipation explained
Are you scared of going to bathroom in the morning? Yes! There are many people suffering from constipation has to go through pain every morning. Constipation generally means hard stools, difficulty passing stools however for some people it simply means infrequent stools. At one time or another, almost everyone gets constipated. Constipation is more common in children and older age.
There are different types of constipation:
- Common constipation - occasional constipation
- Chronic constipation
- Travel-related constipation
- Age-related constipation
- Pregnancy-related constipation
- Chronic idiopathic constipation
- Functional constipation
Causes:
- The most common cause of constipation is a diet low in fiber found in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains and high in fats found in cheese, eggs, and meats.
- Lack of Liquid. It is important to drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of fluid a day
- Even some medicines like pain killers can slow passage of bowel movements.
- During pregnancy, women may be constipated because of hormonal changes or because the heavy uterus compresses the intestine.
- People also often become constipated when travelling because their normal diet and daily routines are disrupted.
- Ignoring the Urge to have a Bowel Movement
- Some specific diseases that cause constipation include neurological disorders, metabolic and endocrine disorders, and systemic conditions that affect organ systems.
Symptoms:
- The most common symptoms of constipation are infrequency, irregularity or difficulty in elimination of the hard faecal matter.
- Coated tongue
- Foul breath
- Loss of appetite
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Dark circles under the eyes
- Depression
- Nausea
- Pimples on the face
- Ulcer in the mouth
- Constant fullness in the abdomen
- Diarrhea alternating with constipation
- Acidity
- Heart burn
- Insomnia.
How to prevent constipation:
- Eat more fruits and vegetables which are high in fiber.
- Drink plenty of water, at least 8 to 10 glasses a day.
- Take a walk if you are up to it. Exercise helps to ease constipation. Yoga is best for constipation like Pawan mukta asana, Vajra asana, Yog mudra, Dhanur asana.
- Taking time to have a bowel movement when you need to
- Consult your doctor for correct medicine.
Home Treatment for constipation
- Generally all fruits, except banana and jack fruit are beneficial in the treatment of constipation. Pears are beneficial in the treatment of constipation.
- Among the vegetables, spinach has been considered to be the most vital food for the entire digestive tract.
- Guava is another effective remedy for constipation, when eaten with seeds.
- Drink some warm milk before you go to bed. add two spoons of castor oil in the warm milk and drink it. Do this probably on an off day.
- Take a lemon or two to work and squeeze its juice in warm water and keep sipping on it. Do not add sugar or salt.
- Eat only 3 times or a maximum of 4 times a day. Eat only when hungry and take food from home to office or an outing.
- Give up non-veg, deep fried, dried fruits, cabbage, cauliflower and a few pulses like dal for some time as they lead to gas and toxins.
- While cooking use asafetida, cumin powder, turmeric powder and coriander which make the food easily digestible.
So if you are suffering from constipation just make changes in your life style can you can feel the difference and in case even after these home treatment you don't have any relief consult your doctor for proper medication.
(Sources: nlm.nih.gov, ayurveda-foryou.com, home-remedies-for-you.com, indianchild.com)
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