Constipation Remedies
Constipation can be more than just an uncomfortable health issue. It can be defined as a lack of toxin evacuation from the colon that can lead to other more serious, systemic health problems. When toxins are not being eliminated properly, the body seeks alternate pathways to balance its internal chemistry. But these backup systems kicking in can lead to a variety of symptoms appearing that seem completely unrelated to the digestive tract.
Dangerous Constipation Remedies At Home
Repeated enemas are a dangerous solution to constipation. An enema every now and then won't hurt you, but repeated enemas may disrupt the natural intestinal function, could actually damage tissue within the colon, and don't offer a long-term solution. Enemas may also become habit-forming, meaning your body will only have a bowel movement if you give yourself another enema. Do you really want to have to give yourself an enema every single time you need to have a bowel movement? In most cases, enemas should be administered by professionals, and only as a last-resort or in an emergency situation.
Laxatives can also be very dangerous because they can be habit-forming. This means your bowel may not be able to create muscle movements to eliminate waste until after you use a laxative. Ultimately, your body would no longer function on its own and would become dependent on an artificial substance to rid itself of waste.
Safe Constipation Remedies At Home
There are a variety of traditional home remedies for constipation you can utilize without the help of a doctor.
Exercise
The colon and intestines are muscles, and waste is evacuated by muscle contractions. Therefore, physical movement (i.e. exercise) is of utmost importance in getting the bowels to perform regularly, especially if your lifestyle is a sedentary one. Exercise is the key home remedy that may encourage the gastrointestinal system to stop being sluggish and start moving. Exercise speeds up many bodily systems, including the colon, and keeps your body working like a well-oiled and efficient machine. Not to mention it is a great way to increase metabolism for overall better digestion.
Water
Another traditional home remedy is simply consuming larger quantities of purified water. Increased water consumption cleanses the digestive system and hydrates the intestines. In the large intestine, water is absorbed from the stool as it passes through the digestive tract. If you don't consume adequate fluids, your stools will become hard, dry, and difficult to pass. Make it a goal regarding your personal health to drink 8-10 eight-ounce glasses (or roughly 64 ounces) of water throughout the day to help with relieving constipation.
Adding a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar will help enrich your water for added health benefits. Adding lemon to your water will also help breakdown any impacted fecal matter you may have built up over the years. Here's a good water calculator to add up how much you should drink per day
High Fiber Diet
Add fiber and high-bulk foods to your diet. Fiber, in essence, is food matter that is not digested but acts as a buffer to push waste out of the body. Following a high fiber diet is a popular remedy for constipation. Fiber not only pushes waste out of the body, it "scrubs" the walls of the intestines so mucus and uninvited organisms don't cling to the colon. Some great sources of fiber include: oats, whole ground wheat (not bleached or enriched), ground flax seeds, cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower and broccoli, fiber-rich fruits like apples and pears, and berries embedded with seeds like strawberries and blackberries. Legumes, or beans, are also an excellent source of fiber. Aim for about 25-30 grams of fiber per day to help alleviate constipation. Here's a great list of high fiber foods.
Beneficial Bacteria
Consume foods rich in beneficial bacteria. These sources of digestion-enhancing bacteria aid with the breakdown of food and with assimilating nutrients into the bloodstream. Bacteria, such as Bacillus Laterosporus and Bifobacterium naturally inhabit the intestinal tract, and aid in the overall functioning of the bowels. Some foods containing these bacteria include: yogurt and kefir, and bacteria-fermented foods like sauerkraut, whey, and unpasteurized apple cider vinegar.
If you don't consume the beneficial bacteria from natural food sources, you can also take probiotics, which will essentially provide you with the same health benefits.
Colon Cleansing Products
Doing a colon cleanse at home is also a great way to relieve constipation symptoms. Unlike abusive laxatives, using a colon cleanser is a safer way to stimulate a bowel movement. There are two different kinds of cleansers that can help, herbal colon cleansers and oxygen colon cleansers. The herbal colon cleansers work great at detoxifying the colon, but will not provide quick constipation relief. Oxygen cleansers are best for fecal impaction, because they can help "melt" or "break down" the impaction, making it softer and easier to pass. Oxygen cleansers also work well with the symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.