Constipation Relief

By Author: Robert Lee
Total Articles: 3
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Constipation is when you have a bowel movement fewer than three times per week. When you are constipated, your stools are hard, dry, often small pellets pressed together and difficult to eliminate. It is usually uncomfortable; with straining you use the bathroom. Sometimes you can feel blotted too. Some people believe that they are constipated if they aren't having a bowel movement daily, but this is not the opinion of most health practitioners which consider a normal bowel movement frequency to be between three times per week and three times per day. While constipation can continue for an extended period of time, it is not considered to be a disease, but a symptom. While most people will experience constipation from time to time it is good to stay regular.
We believe that to avoid constipation one needs to change their diet to have one to three bowel movements per day. An ideal bowel movement has the consistency of toothpaste, is as long as your forearm floats and has no odor.
Causes of Constipation
As the food you eat moves through your colon, the colon absorbs water and nutrients from the food to form ...
... waste products. Then, muscle contractions in the colon push the stool towards the rectum, and by the time it gets there, most of the water has been absorbed. When the colon absorbs too much water, or the muscle contractions are too slow, stools will become dry and hard. Some of the most common causes of constipation are:
not enough dietary fiber
lack of physical activity
medications
dairy products
stroke or other disease
irritable bowel syndrome
problems with intestinal function
pregnancy
abuse of laxatives
ignoring the urge to use the bathroom
dehydration
problems with the rectum or colon
Treatment for Constipation
The treatment that's right for constipation relief depends on the severity and duration of the constipation. Usually a simple change in diet and or lifestyle will prevent constipation from happening. Diet - Increasing fiber in your diet with foods like bran, beans, fresh fruits and vegetables can help. You should also limit foods that increase constipation like cheese, white bread, meat and processed food. Drinking more water also can aid in constipation relief as dehydration will cause stools to be harder. Medications - many medications contribute to constipation. Laxatives - if you're mildly constipation, you probably don't need laxatives, but they may be necessary for a short period of time. You also need to use the toilet when your body prompts you to go rather than holding it, as this can contribute to constipation. Always see a physician before taking laxatives, as they can interfere with some medications. There are many different types of laxatives, including fiber supplements, muscle-contracting agents and even lubricants to help stools pass more easily. Natural Calm magnesium supplement at a higher dose will bring constipation relief and give you the added benefit of increasing your magnesium intake.