How To Relieve Constipation

Constipation effects all of us some of the time so learning how to relieve constipation naturally can benefit most everyone! Constipation symptoms include stool dryness, difficulty passing stools and difficulty in finishing a bowel movement. Chronic constipation affects about 2% of the population and can be a sign of a serious illness. More than likely, however, the cause is not getting enough fiber or have poor dietary habits.

Learning How To Relieve Constipation With Dietary Changes

For most, constipation would not be a problem if they ate a diet high in fruits, vegetables and whole grains. These foods add bulk and fiber to the diet which help your bowels to move. Eating a diet full of processed foods with little fiber and lots of sugar can add to constipation and does little to add to our overall health. Adding fruits and vegetables to your daily meals will have many health benefits in additon to relieving constipation and can help build your immune system so your body can fight illness and disease.

Try to add as much whole fruits and vegetables to your diet as possible. Leave the skins on as that's where most of the fiber is contained. Although juices are good for you, juicing removes the fiber from fruits and vegetables so juice has no value in treating constipation. Switch from white bread to whole wheat - whole wheat has more fiber and nutritional value too. Drink lots of water and exercise every day!

Learning To Relieve Constipation With Herbs

If you want to use packaged products try to stick to natural products that contain flax or psyllium and avoid harsh laxatives. Remember that laxatives (even the ones made naturally) can become addictive if you use them all the time. You can also use natural herbs such as aloe, buckthorn, frangula and senna which have natural laxative chemicals. Rhubarb also has natural laxative qualities which are very similar to those in senna. Be careful with these as they can be very powerful!

Other herbs add bulk to the stool and can help relieve symptoms. Flax seeds and psyllium are some common herbal remedies that work by combining with water to add bulk. These are included in a lot of packaged remedies but you can also buy the seeds separate. Make sure you drink lots of water if you take either one of these

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