CONSTIPATION

Constipation means difficult or infrequent passage of the stool. In some cases it is due to mechanical obstruction of the intestines, such as cancer, diverticulitis, or perhaps due to some functional cause, such as an irritable colon. In most cases there is no actual obstruction. Regular bowel movement is necessary to remove waste and toxins from the body. Some people will have movements every day, some others 3 times a week, this is normal, whereas some doctors believe that a person moving bowels less then once a day to be constipated.



Constipation actually has two forms. Some people have to strain to move their bowels every time they want to go. But others just feel the urge too seldom.



Many elderly people suffer from constipation., due to insufficient intake of fluid. They may think they are drinking enough, but careful observation may reveal that they are having only two or three glasses of liquid a day. For normal bowel habits, one should drink from six to eight glasses of fluid each day.



Many people suffering from constipation become dependent upon laxatives in early childhood. This is most unfortunate, for it means that the child may be dependent on drugs for the rest of his life. As far as possible do not use an enema on a child unless absolutely necessary. Laxatives and enemas are only for unusual conditions. Nature will provide for the normal needs of the body. It is important for a child to have proper diet so that its bowels remain regular and do not become constipated. This requires a diet high in fiber. Foods such as whole grains, vegetables, fruits and legumes (beans), should be served with every meal.



Constipation can also result from spasm of a small segment of the sigmoid colon. It should be recalled that motility, even normally, is weak in the large intestine, so that even a slight degree of spasm is often capable of causing serious constipation. After the constipation has continued for several days and excessive feces have accumulated above the spastic sigmoid colon, excessive colonic secretions often lead to a day or so of diarrhea.



Constipation can be caused by lack of exercise, too much junk food, poor diet, painkillers, antidepressants and/or pregnancy. However some chronic problems such as thyroid problems, circulatory disorder, diverticulitis, colon malfunction (fistulas, polyps, tumors, and obstruction) can also cause constipation. Children should also get plenty of liquids to drink everyday, especially clear liquids such as fruit juices and water. When a child is constipated, push lots of water!



The diet should be rich in fruits and vegetables, for these are natural laxatives. The patient should have regular meals and avoid nervous tension. He should sleep at least 8 hours a night and take regular exercise. Many cases of constipation are relieved by the use of prune juice, figs, bananas, or other natural laxatives. Sensible habits of living, plus 6 – 8 glasses of water per day and a reasonable amount of exercise will cure most people of constipation.



HOME REMEDIES FOR CONSTIPATION

Bale fruit is the best laxative of all fruits. It cleans and tones up the intestines & gives constipation relief.
Giving bran cereal may relieve constipation in, infants and older children
Guava when eaten with seeds provides roughage to diet can give relief from constipation and this is very effective home remedy for constipation.
Apple pectin helps with constipation and brings fibers into the body.
An insufficient intake of folic acid also leads to constipation. Thus to avoid constipation take sufficient amount of folic acid.
To avoid constipation take Aloe Vera juice twice a day.
Eating more fruits can also helps to prevent constipation such as prune pears, grapes, Orange juice & Papaya.
Ginger tea is a very good home remedy for constipation. It helps start bowel movement.
Add one tablespoonful of corn syrup to 8oz of water to cure constipation
Yerba mate in tea form is very helpful with constipation.
Another natural remedy for constipation is to add a little extra sugar or some honey to a glass of milk. Drink twice a day.
Take a high fibre diet. Soluble fiber, found in grains, legumes and fruits, is particularly effective. Oatmeal, rice, wheat germ, corn bran, prunes, raisins, apricots, figs and an apple a day are all good sources.
A person with constipation should try to avoid milk and milk products such as cheese. Both milk and cheese contain casein, an insoluble protein that tends to block up the intestinal tract.
Exercise also helps to get rid of constipation. Aerobic exercise such as walking, running and swimming is best.
Chop three stalks of rhubarb (remove the leaves, which are toxic) and mix with one cup of apple juice, 1/4 of a peeled lemon and one teaspoon of honey. Blend in a food processor until smooth. It makes a very good remedy for constipation.
Drink one liter of warm water and walk around for a few minutes immediately after waking up early in the morning. this is also very effective home remedy for constipation.
Mix lemon juice with warm water. Take it two to three times a day. It helps to relieve constipation.
For ordinary constipation, take 10/12 pieces of Raisin (Munnakka), wash and remove the seeds and then boil them with a glass of milk. Once the milk is boiled, eat the raisins and drink the milk.
One of the most important remedy is to cut short a bout of constipation is to sit in a bathtub of warm or hot water. It may take several immersions in the water to cure the problem, but it does work.
Take a glass of warm water to which the juice of 1/2 a lime and 1 tsp honey has been added. Drink daily in the morning.
For constipation treatment prepare a mixture by adding 2 tsp husk seed (Isabgol) in 1/2 a cup of hot milk and drink immediately. Drink one cup of plain milk to follow. Repeat this every night for chronic constipation.
Fry small Harad 100 gm in ghee. After that, the harad will bloat and start smoking. Remove from ghee. Measure 100 gm Aniseed (saunf). Keep aside 50 gm and fry 50 gm in the same ghee. When lightly roasted mix with harad and remaining aniseed.
Powder all three together. Mix 100 gm ghee and 400 gm sugar candy and powder along with the other powders. Take 2tsp along with 1 cup of milk twice a day. Do not eat anything 1 hour before and after.
Apply 3 – 4 drops of lukewarm castor oil over the navel at night. In the morning, the patient will pass the stools.
Haldi (turmeric powder) boiled in milk along with figs also helps in relieving constipation.
Take a cup of fresh apple juice. Add equal amounts of dry or fresh figs and raisins and a small organic apple. Blend it in a blender. It will help to get rid of constipation if taken for a few days daily.
Mix one glass of 50% fig juice and 50% prune juice. Drink this first thing in the morning. This powerful home remedy will help to get rid of constipation.
Take 10 – 12 calimyma figs and keep them in two glasses of distilled water (16 oz) for 10 minutes. Keep it overnight. In the morning remove the figs, warm and drink the juice. Eat the figs through out the day.
Prepare a drink by adding three or more figs, fresh or sun dried, one banana, 1 tablespoon of honey or molasses, one cup of rice dream Drink first thing in the morning and any time after lunch or dinner.
Mulberry juice helps in relieving constipation in elderly people.
Boysenberry juice has a gentle natural laxative action on bowel
Prepare a mixture by adding ½ cup of distilled water and ½ cup of blackberries. Drink this first thing in the morning to fight against constipation.
For constipation treatment eat fresh cherries throughout the day or drink three 8 oz glasses of cherry juice during the day.
A teaspoon of linseed swallowed with water before each meal provides great relief from constipation.