Get Rid Of Constipation

Tackling constipation in most cases does not require a visit to the doctor. Over the counter medication can help. Home remedies and diet correction are often the first line of treatment.

Laxatives

Mild laxatives are available over the counter. These are fiber supplements to make stools heavier. They are prescribed along with a digestive enzyme supplement to improve digestion. Laxatives should not be taken for longer than prescribed as the body can become dependent on them for excretion. This dependency can lead to constipation when an individual stops taking laxatives.

Colon Cleansers

Colon cleansing products clear the contents of the colon and makes excretion easy. They can be taken on a regular basis to prevent blockage. However, if they are taken more often than required, these cleansers can cause dehydration.

Increase Fiber and Water Intake

Your medical practitioner may ask you to increase your fiber and water intake. Fiber makes stool heavier and pushes on it in the colon. Apart from freeing up stool, it prevents the abdomen from feeling heavy and bloated. Water makes the fiber more effective. Fiber is like sponge and needs water to expand. Once it expands, it presses on the contents of the colon and pushes it towards the rectum. Without water, fiber does not move easily and can cause a blockage. The required amount of fiber should be estimated before a diet change. Foods that are a rich source of fiber include green leafy vegetables like spinach, lettuce and cabbage. Flax seeds also contain dietary fiber. Fruits taken raw with the peel are also rich sources of fiber. Meat makes the stool harder and its consumption should be limited to get rid of constipation.

Physical Activity and Sleep

Exercise plays an important role to keep your body running smoothly. It prevents many health disorders. In individuals with diabetes, exercise helps control blood sugar, which in turn regulates movement in the colon. The risk of colon cancer is also minimized with regular physical activity. Sleep revitalizes the body. When you sleep your body produces vital bio-chemicals which keep the digestive and circulatory system running. Loss of function of either of these systems can lead to health problems of which constipation is a symptom.

Avoid Coffee, Alcohol and Aerated Drinks
Coffee can dehydrate the body and cause constipation. Alcohol also has a similar effect. It damages the intestines, causes the cells to mutate and form tumors which block the colon. Aerated drinks do not quench thirst but they dehydrate the body.

When To See A Doctor

In most cases, constipation can be resolved with a diet correction and changes to your lifestyle. But if it persists, it should not be ignored. Constipation then becomes a sign of a disorder that requires investigation. As a guideline, being constipated for more than a week warrants a visit to the doctor.

When constipation becomes serious, the prolonged use of medication with stimulants or sometimes even surgery may become necessary to correct colon problems. Behavioral therapy may also be suggested to correct muscle and nerve problems pre or post surgery.