Posted by Savneet Singh on Apr.01, 2009

©iStockphoto.com - kajaberry

It has been estimated that in the United States, over 3 million people have constipation, defined as fewer than 3 bowel movements per week. Among them, more than 2 million  suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). As we eat, food is digested in the stomach and passes to small intestine, the large intestine, and then on to the rectum. When food moves to the large intestine, it absorbs water and makes the feces take on the shape and consistency that we are used to. The large intestine absorbs more water, making the stool drier and bulky thus, more difficult to pass. The movement of food through the large intestine slows. The amount of time the waste remains in the colon increases, leading to constipation. Regular bowel movements are necessary to remove waste and toxins from the body.

Constipation causes pain and suffering from straining during bowel movements. The symptoms of constipation are difficult, infrequent bowel movement, fecal straining and pain during bowel movements. A few more indicators are dry bowel movements, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. If constipation persists, constant straining puts pressure on the veins in the rectal area and may cause hemorrhoids. Constipation may lead to diverticular disease, in which small pouches are formed in the wall of the large intestine. These pouches can become infected,  leading to abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea. Another condition known as fecal impaction can be a result of chronic constipation, where the mass of stool becomes so hard that it cannot pass through the rectum and must be manually removed by a doctor or nurse using a gloved finger.

The cause

The major lifestyle causes of constipation are: lack of exercise, eating too much junk food, and a poor diet with inadequate fiber intake. Medication such as painkillers, antidepressants and  aluminum hydroxide-containing antacids may cause constipation. Medical conditions including thyroid problems, circulatory disorders, diverticulitis, colon polyps, colon fistulas, and colonic obstruction may also be associated with constipation. Pregnancy and Vitamin B1 deficiency can also cause constipation.

The remedy

Digestive challenges can be dealt effectively with diet, natural nutritional aids, increasing water intake.

Please note: You should consult your personal health care provider to assure proper diagnosis of the specific health condition. Some home remedies for mild constipation are:

• Water. At least 8-10 glasses of water a day can help relieve constipation.

• Cooked cabbage. Cabbage is high in fiber and nutrients and will relieve constipation. You can also take half a cup of cabbage juice twice a day.
  

• Folic acid supplements
  

• Ginger tea.
  

• Carrots or green peas. Carrots creates larger, softer feces due to the Polysaccharide content.

• Castor Oil with Olive Oil.

• Prunes or papaya
  

• Apple pectin.

• Herbs like Aloe Vera, Cascara sagrada, Kelp, Chickweed tea and Fenugreek all act as natural laxatives
  

• Include Barley and Bran in your diet.

• Vitamin C helps alleviates constipation. Excessive ingestion of Vitamin C can cause diarrhea .

• Epsom salts. You can take half a glass of water and mix in 1/8 cup (2 tablespoons) of Epsom salts.

Please note: There are dangers in using Epsom salts to relieve constipation. Consult your physician.

The best long-term remedy is a lifestyle change and a diet high in fiber.

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Posted under Health & Fitness, Health Facts.