Constipation is a condition where bowel movements are affected by being delayed or difficult to pass. It can result in bloating, stomach pain or even cause it to be painful while trying to go to the bathroom. Constipation is usually defined as having a bowel movement fewer than at least 3 times a week.
There are a few possible causes of constipation such as: a diet low in fiber, a low intake of fluids, irregular meals, large intake of refined foods, aging, IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), or even more serious medical conditions such as an underactive thyroid, diabetes or cancer.
While most cases of constipation are not that serious, the condition itself can be quite uncomfortable.
Here are a few home remedies for constipation that you can use to help you find relief.
One of the easier and more effective home remedies for constipation is to simply drink more water. Approximately 6 to 8 glasses of water a day can help to loosen up and/or flush out your system.
Eat Mango
Eating Mango is another great way to help get your system back on track.
Eat Pineapple or Drink Pineapple Juice
Eating Pineapple or drinking pineapple juice is a third easy and natural way to help relieve constipation and prevent it in the future. Eating the actual fruit is better for you than drinking the juice because of the common sugars and additives that are normally added to the juice, but if you are already suffering from constipation, the juice may work faster.
Be Careful of Coffee
For some people drinking coffee is like a natural laxative that helps them go first thing in the morning like clockwork. For others however, it can have the exact opposite effect. The caffeine in coffee and other caffeinated beverages can actually contribute to constipation, so this is a remedy you have to decide on for yourself.
If you are a habitual coffee drinker and are suffering from constipation you might want to switch to decaffeinated tea to see if that helps solve the problem. If you do not normally drink coffee and are constipated, you might want to experiment with a cup to see how your particular system handles it. If constipation is due to IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) then chances are you should not use coffee as a home remedy because it can actually worsen your condition.
Drink Prune Juice
Prune Juice is another natural effective laxative that can help relieve constipation, but it is something you need to develop a taste for. Usually a small glass in the morning and a small glass in the evening will help get your system regulated again and will help keep your body regulated going forward.
Some people recommend combining this with apple juice as well. Start by having a glass of prune juice, then follow up about a half hour later with apple juice. This is a mixture that is supposed to be fairly effective.
Another old fashioned home remedy you can try is to squeeze the juice of a half a lime into a glass of hot water and add a ½ teaspoon of salt before drinking.
Eat Grapes
Including grapes in your diet is another great way to get your system back in motion.
Try a Fiber Enriched Drink or take Fiber Pills
Quite often a diet that is lacking in fiber can be the cause of constipation. You can purchase fiber in pill form or powder form that you can combine with water to help increase the fiber in your system and relieve constipation.
There are over the counter laxatives such as Ex-lax and Dulcolax that will help relieve constipation, but these should be used sparingly and only after you have tried other more natural remedies. Taking too many laxatives on a regular basis can actually cause your body to start relying on them and could cause constipation to occur more frequently in the future.
Over the counter laxatives do not usually work immediately as some people mistakenly believe, but will normally work by the next morning after you have taken them; so do not take more than the box recommends if you are concerned about not seeing immediate results.
Resources:
Home Remedies for Everything – Home Remedies for Constipation
Natural Home Remedies for Constipation
