Constipation Remedies – Which Will Work For You?
Filed under Information, Medical
Living with constipation is a very painful ordeal. Being unable to produce natural and healthy bowel movements can truly be considered as some kind of suffering. That is why finding the constipation remedies that will work for you is important. Some remedies may work for others but it may not work for you and vice versa. Regardless what remedy you choose from the long list that is available, be certain that it is safe and will not put your health at risk.
So what are the different constipation remedies that you can choose from? Constipation remedies are generally divided into two categories – the pharmacological and the natural. Pharmacological remedies include medications and supplements, while the natural remedies include lifestyle modifications in your diet, exercise, and the like.
Pharmacological Remedies
There are two main types of medications/supplements commonly used to address the problems associated with constipation – stool softeners and laxatives.
Stool softeners work by making stool softer and in a liquid form. Stool softeners achieve this by bringing in more water and fluid to the latter part of the large intestines, where stools are formed and stored. Stool softeners can be purchased as over-the-counter medications, so you do not need any prescriptions from a doctor to buy them. They generally take effect 24 hours after consumption, which makes them a safe and effective treatment for mild constipation, but not for chronic cases.
Laxatives, on the other hand, work by stimulating the intestines and the colon. This stimulation helps force out stools that have lodged along the insides of your bowels. They take effect faster compared to stool softeners. Even though they also can be purchased as over-the-counter medications, you have to be careful in using laxatives as they have the tendency to be addictive. If used too often, the body may become dependent on it to start bowel movements.
Natural Remedies
Pharmacological remedies, while excellent cures for constipation, are only temporary. Long-term cure from constipation involves a lot of lifestyle changes on your part. First of which, is your eating habits and fluid intake.
Studies have shown that there is a link between constipation and inadequate fluid intake. The gut needs enough water and fluid to propel easily your stools outside the body. A body cleansing diet is usually recommended for people suffering from constipation. This particular diet encourages you to increase you fiber intake by eating more grains, fruits, and vegetables, and to increase your intake of biologic protein, which helps the bowels pass out stool easily and effortlessly.
Exercise also helps in preventing constipation. Exercising allows your body to use and condition various muscles, tissues, and anatomical structures important for eliciting good bowel movement. When these body parts are kept in good condition, regular bowel movement is achieved and maintained.
