What Helps With Constipation Naturally? Home Remedies & Medical Options
Have you ever experienced a bloated stomach even after going to the bathroom several times? This can spoil your mood for the entire day and make you feel gloomy. If you experience this along with passing hard stool, then there is a chance that you are facing constipation. Although this is a very common experience, if it is not treated timely can cause various other health issues. This blog aims to give you all the detailed insights about constipation and tell you what helps with constipation to help you in dealing with this disease. Additionally, we will discuss how to relieve constipation, Natural remedies for constipation, foods to avoid when constipated, and medicines that are given to patients for relief.
Overview of Constipation
In simple terms, constipation refers to having infrequent bowel movements, and the stool is hard, dry, and difficult to pass. This happens when the stool moves in the colon too slowly, and all its fluid gets absorbed, which makes the stool hard and dry. There is no fixed number of times a person can poop because it depends on their own habits. The number of times you go is the normal number for you. But if you find yourself going less than before, then this may become a sign of having constipation.
What Causes Constipation?
Several factors, such as lifestyle, certain medications, and medical conditions, can be responsible for causing constipation. Let’s discuss all of those factors in more detail.
Lifestyle
Common lifestyle changes that can result in constipation are:
- Dehydration
- Not eating enough fiber
- Travelling
- Stress
- Consuming a large amount of milk and cheese
- Resisting the urge to poop.
Lack of Physical Activity
Not having enough body movement is one of the major reasons for most diseases that occur in an individual. This lack of activity becomes more common with the increase in age, leading to increased chances of constipation. Regular exercise and enough body movement help in stimulating the muscles of the intestine, which helps stool to move easily and also prevents it from drying. If you cannot perform strenuous exercises, then try to perform light yoga or take a walk for some time to provide some movement to the body.
Medications
Certain medicines can cause constipation by reducing intestinal movement and increasing fluid absorption in the colon. They are:
- Opioids like Tramadol, Codeine, and Morphine
- Antidepressants
- Antacids
- Iron pills
- Allergy medications
- Blood pressure drugs
- Psychiatric medicines
- Antiseizure medications
Health Conditions
Certain underlying health conditions are also responsible for irregular bowel movements because they slow down the digestive system. They are:
- Diabetes
- Hyperthyroidism
- Hypercalcemia
- Colorectal cancer
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Diverticulitis
- Pregnancy
- Amyloidosis
- lupus
- scleroderma
- Intestinal obstruction.
- Neurologic disorder
Symptoms of Constipation
Your body gives you certain signs that can confirm that you are having some issues with your bowel movement. The signs are:
- Bloating
- Stools become dry, hard, and difficult to pass
- Straining during bowel movement
- Feeling that you haven’t emptied the bowel fully
- Stomachache
- Less than three bowel movements
Health Risks Associated With Constipation
There are certain health risks associated with constipation that can be deadly for an individual. Those deadly risks are:
- Hemorrhoids: The veins of the rectum swell due to the pressure of passing hard stool.
- Anal Fissure: This is the rupture of delicate tissues around the anal, which is extremely painful.
- Abdominal Pain: Constipation can cause bloating in the abdomen.
- Feeling Unhappy: An unclear stomach can affect your entire mood and make you feel gloomy and depressed.
What Helps With Constipation?
Dealing with constipation can wear out all your energy and can make you tired and gloomy throughout the day. It’s important to find a solution to deal with this problem as fast as possible. Let’s discuss various ways available that you must follow.
Eat More Fiber
What food helps with constipation fast? It is generally advised to include more fiber in your diet if you are constipated. Fiber adds softness to the stool, making it easier to pass. Even though our body is unable to digest fiber but consuming it is very beneficial for our gut health. Increasing the amount of fiber intake can eventually lead to an increase in the number of times you pass stool. This becomes very healthy for your stomach and helps the stomach to avoid bloating.
Increase Caffeine Intake
Some studies have shown that increasing the amount of caffeine intake can develop the urge to poop. You can simply do this by drinking more and more amount of coffee, which is a natural source of caffeine. Do not try to overuse caffeine in the hope of curing your constipation, as this can worsen other health conditions and cause insomnia.
Avoid Dairy Products
People who face constipation must avoid dairy products because they contain a high level of calcium, which binds the product together, and also lack fiber. Some individuals can have lactose intolerance, which can affect their bowel movements and cause inflammation. The protein present in the milk can also slow down bowel movement, especially in children.
Eat Probiotics
The food rich in probiotics, such as curd, yogurt, kimchi, pickles, miso, and tempeh, is very helpful for your gut health. These probiotics contain healthy gut bacteria, Lactobacillus plantarum, that can help improve constipation. Try to take naturally available probiotics every day and avoid taking artificial supplements to avoid some other side effects. Consult your doctor if you want to take artificial supplements to know about the appropriate doses and other risks associated.
Exercise Regularly
Regular exercise, like walking, swimming, and running, can help improve the condition of constipation by improving bowel movement. In addition to all the dietary intake, exercise is a natural way to keep the body fit and active. You should try to exercise regularly for at least an hour to keep yourself fit and active. Older people can walk around for fifteen to twenty minutes or as much as their bodies can handle to have some movement and help with constipation.
Medicines
The medicines that are prescribed for constipation are termed laxatives. These are given to patients with a long-lasting condition that cannot be cured with natural methods. Those medicines are:
- Bulk-forming laxatives (fiber supplements) help make the stool bigger and softer. The medicine in these laxatives includes Fybogel, Psyllium, Polycarbophil, and Methylcellulose.
- Osmotic laxatives are used to draw water, making the stool softer. You can ask the store for Magnesium citrate, Magnesium hydroxide, and Lactitol.
- Stimulants are used in cases of severe constipation. The most preferred ones are bisacodyl and sennocides.
What Helps With Constipation During Pregnancy?
The hormonal imbalance during pregnancy is the primary reason to cause constipation. The growing uterus and several medications that a pregnant woman and decrease in physical activity have to take also contribute to this condition. Since women are not advised to do any strenuous exercises, they can focus on a good diet to avoid constipation. Increase the fiber intake, like fruits and vegetables, and drink plenty of water to make yourself hydrated. Try to include probiotics in every meal. You can do light exercises like taking a walk and some yoga after consulting your doctor. Ask your doctor to make some changes in certain medications, like iron supplements, and replace them with natural iron, which you can get from certain food items.
Conclusion
Constipation, although it does not seem to pose any danger but can still be deadly if left untreated for a long time. Make sure to improve our daily lifestyle, and especially your diet, to avoid facing this issue. Drink enough water throughout the day and exercise regularly to keep your body fit and healthy. Visit the doctor and ask them to prescribe you some medicine if your symptoms worsen. Do not do anything on your own, and consult your healthcare provider before taking any steps.