Home Remedy For Constipation: Goodbye To Laxatives

Many people look to a home remedy for constipation having suffered and failed to cure the source of the problem with prescription medicines. Laxatives may seem to work, but all they do is act as a muscle relaxant. If overused, this will cause the bowel and colon muscles to become lazy and weak. In the end, laxatives simply make the problem worse.

The medical definition of constipation is having a bowel movement less than three times a week, where the excreted matter is hard, dry, small and painful to expel. This is a surprise for many people who expect to poop every day. The medical definition seems out of line with what we believe is healthy.

Despite the official view, the fact is that if you are having trouble, and experiencing pain, bloating, and the sensation of a full bowel but nothing will come out, you will want to do something about it. Difficulty in passing feces can lead to other problems including hemorrhoids, toxicity in the colon and possibly, in the long term, serious colon disorders including cancer. Pooping at least once a day should be the goal for a healthy colon.

The real remedy for constipation lies not in the colon or bowel but in the diet. Most Western diets lack adequate fiber. Using whole grains including brown rice and wholewheat bread, eating more fruit and vegetables (especially raw vegetables and salad) can help the system to regulate itself naturally again. Cut down on high fat foods including meat, cheese, eggs, milk and processed foods such as white bread and pasta.

Constipation can also be caused by lack of exercise (especially in the sick or elderly) and dehydration. So try to get moving and drink plenty of water (at least 4 pints a day). Good exercise to fight constipation includes walking, swimming and calisthenic routines such as touching the toes.

Dried fruit can be a wonderful remedy for constipation. Prunes are especially effective.

For a delicious and simple breakfast remedy, leave a few prunes, dried figs and dried apricots to soak in water overnight. There is no need to cook them - they are better raw. Eat the soaked fruit in the morning and drink the liquid later in the day.

It is important to obey any urges to have a bowel movement. Some people do not like to use public bathrooms but holding back when the body wants to poop can eventually cause constipation. This can also be the reason for constipation in children, who may not want to interrupt their play to visit the bathroom.

If you have been taking laxatives regularly and have trouble going without them, you will need to come off them slowly. Reduce the dose or start to use them every 2 days instead of every day, etc. At the same time, increase the fiber in your diet and drink plenty of water.

In some cases, constipation may be caused by medications that you are taking for other medical problems. If this is the case for you, do not be tempted to stop taking your medication. In this situation a laxative may be useful for a short time. However, strong laxatives may cause your other medication to pass through the body too quickly, reducing its effectiveness. So it is very important to see your doctor first, to discuss the side effect that you are having and the best way to deal with it for your particular case.

Always consult with a qualified medical practitioner before taking any home remedy for constipation, to check that it is suitable for you.