Help With Constipation

Constipation is easy to prevent through a balanced diet and by maintaining a healthy life style. It is not serious most of the time and can be cured completely with home remedies and mild medication.

Tips To Treat and Prevent Constipation

1. Increase Fiber Intake

When an individual is constipated, the stools are harder and the colon is not adequately lubricated to excrete them. Hard and dense stools are a result of insufficient dietary fiber. Inadequate colon lubrication is a result of dehydration. Foods that are rich in fiber like spinach and cabbage can make stools softer and bulkier making them easy to pass. Fruits like papaya and guava are also rich sources of fiber and beneficial in treating constipation. Water intake must also be increased to improve production of mucus in the colon. Increased water flow to the colon prevents formation of blocks and constipation,

2. Controlled Use of Laxatives

Laxative medications make defecation easier and less painful. Stool softeners are the most common laxatives prescribed for mild constipation that has not responded to diet correction. They are also prescribed for those who are on painkillers and allergy medication, to prevent constipation as a side effect of these medications. They are not a solution for chronic constipation and their long term use can result in addictive dependency. Laxatives should not be used as preventive measures.

3. Colon Cleansing Products

Colon cleansing prevents blockages and clears existing ones. Colon cleansing products come in many forms and are easily available. They should be used after consultation with a physician in a scheduled manner.

4. Foods to Avoid When Constipated

Meat and fried food make constipation worse. Any food that causes digestion problems can also worsen constipation. Milk is one of them. Avoiding baked products and junk food can provide relief. Foods with fiber should not be taken without consuming sufficient water as it can cause fiber blockage. Avoid alcohol as it dehydrates the body.

5. Get Plenty Of Sleep And Exercise

Constipation is a result of unhealthy lifestyle of which diet is just one aspect. The others are rest and exercise. Physical exercise helps burn calories and gets rid of toxins, by means of sweat and excretion. Lack of exercise slows metabolism and digestion, resulting in slower excretion and toxin build up. Sleep revitalizes the body’s metabolism and facilitates normal hormonal production. Sleep related disorders cause many problems of which constipation is a common symptom.

Medical Treatment

Constipation can sometimes lead to complications and may be caused by a life threatening condition. In such cases, medical treatments other than laxatives are necessary. Chronic constipation is treated with medication but may also require biofeedback studies and rehabilitation treatment. Biofeedback studies let the doctors know about the muscle function. Depending on this, exercises that can improve muscular activity of the colon and rectum are prescribed. For those who cannot undergo surgery, behavioral therapy is an excellent alternative, though it can take time. Surgery is the last option. Individuals who undergo colon surgery mostly have a serious condition which requires immediate treatment. Surgical treatment to correct the anal sphincter usually gets rid of constipation.