Symptoms

Depending on your diet, age and daily activities, regular bowel movements can mean anything from three bowel movements per day to one every three days. If you are experiencing hard, compacted stools that are difficult or painful to pass, the urge to move the bowels (even though you just had a movement), or no bowel movement over three days for adults and four days for children, you may have constipation.

Causes

Most cases of constipation are caused by a low fibre diet or dehydration.

Home Remedies

Taking 2-3 glasses of lemon juice with warm water 2-3 times a day helps lessen constipation.

Taking 1-2 spoons of Aloe gel will relieve you of this condition.

Drink one liter of warm water and walk around for a few minutes immediately after waking up early in the morning.

Banana and jack fruit, are beneficial in the treatment of constipation.

Pears are beneficial in the treatment of constipation. Patients suffering from chronic constipation should adopt an exclusive diet of this fruit or it's juice for a few days.

Guava is another effective remedy for constipation. When eaten with seeds, it provides roughage to the diet and helps in the normal evacuation of the bowels. One or two guavas should be taken everyday.

Grapes have proved very beneficial in overcoming constipation. Grapes is a combination of the properties of the cellulose, sugar, and organic acid in grapes make them a laxative food.

Spinach has been considered to be the most vital food for the entire digestive tract from time immemorial. Raw spinach contains the finest organic material for the cleansing, reconstruction, and regeneration of the intestinal tract. Raw spinach juice-100 ml, mixed with an equal quantity of water and taken twice daily

If you have suggestions or know of a proven home remedy add it here in the comment area.

For painful, colicky spasms Peppermint is ideal - use either the tincture or the tea. For a sensitive digestive system, especially with lack of appetite, drink lots of Chamomile Tea.

If you have suggestions or know of a proven herbal remedy add it here in the comment area.

You should plenty of green vegetables, whole-wheat flour, pasta and bread, and brown rice. Dried and fresh fruit help combat constipation, especially apricots and prunes. Make sure you are drinking enough water (at least 1.5 to 2 litres per day) and cut out refined foods, tea, coffee (coffee is a stimulant to the gut but it can over tense the bowel) and chocolate.

Animal products can cause constipation, so it is sometimes necessary to cut down on meat and dairy produce for a time. Porridge is a good bulk laxative, as are linseeds: 1tsp-1tbs can be sprinkled on your breakfast cereal, with at least 1/4-1/2 pint (150-300ml) of liquid. This can be repeated later in the day if necessary. The above mentioned are preferable to bran.

Exercise every day (this includes a brisk walk) - you will be amazed at how much you can improve constipation by taking this simple step.

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