Constipated Here Are Five Easy Home Remedies
Constipation is a common digestive problem.It can be caused by bad diet, unhealthy lifestyle choices, certain medications and diseases.It is characterized by considerably reduced bowel movement, ie. less than three bowel movements per week.The condition can lead to discomfort when going to bathroom, abdominal bloating, and mild to severe pain.Here are five easy home remedies to deal with constipation.
Home Remedies For Constipation Relief
Dietary changes, drinking water, exercise, and taking supplements are among the natural ways to relieve symptoms of constipation. Identifying the factors contributing to constipation can help you decide which remedies are best. A combination of the following remedies may be necessary to treat the problem.
Constipation Remedy: Castor Oil
This home remedy for constipation has been handed down for generations. One of the primary uses for castor oil is as a laxative, according to Cleveland Clinic take one to two teaspoons on an empty stomach and you should see results in about eight hours. Why? A component in the oil breaks down into a substance that stimulates your large and small intestines.
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What Is The Fastest Home Remedy For Constipation
Here are 13 natural home remedies to relieve constipation.
Apple Cider Vinegar A Potent Remedy
Apple cider vinegar is amongst the best home remedies for treating constipation. This miraculous drink is full of health benefits including your digestive troubles. It works tremendously well in giving you relief from those hard stools which make the morning routine a pain for you. By including small quantities of apple cider vinegar in your daily routine life as a therapeutic option for constipation, you can quickly deal with the issue.
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Suffering From Constipation Consume These 5 Drinks To Get Instant Relief
Written By: Gopi Karelia | Edited By: Sonia Bhaskar | February 02, 2018 11:51 AM | Food
The 2015 hit movie Piku highlighted the struggle of Pikus father Bhaskor Banerjee to deal with chronic constipation. It is something that 22% of Indias adult population suffers from. According to a recent survey by healthcare firm Abbott, constipation is emerging to be one of the most common medical problems in India after common cold and cough. People with irregular diet patterns, increasing consumption of junk foods, low intake of water and unhealthy lifestyle habits are more likely to suffer from infrequent bowel movement or face tremendous difficulty in passing stool, experts point out. Various lifestyle disorders like diabetes and hypertension are also associated with symptoms of constipation, the survey noted.
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The study succeeds in highlighting the issue existing around constipation. One of the key aspects being how people neglect the problem and delay seeking medical help. In fact, constipation can be completely avoided by leading a healthy life style, eating right, embracing physical exercises, having ample of water to keep body hydrated. However, anyone can face the issue but it should be managed or treated early to avoid complications later on, Medicare Hospital coloproctologist Kushal Mital said.
Here are some drinks that may help you rectify the bowel movement:
- Water
- Lemon Juice
- Coffee
- Mint or Ginger Tea
The Benefits Of Lemon Water On An Empty Stomach
Youve probably been told to start drinking lemon water, whether youve heard it through friends and family, from your doctors, or from fitness trainers who highly recommend it, and it should come as no surprise that they give you that advice. Lemon water, especially on an empty stomach, in the morning, once you get out of bed helps your health and fitness tremendously.
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There are many benefits to drinking lemon water, and its not just because the sourness of the lemon wakes you up. In fact, there are more health benefits to drinking lemon water than you probably thought, from beauty, to actual bodily functions that are vital for survival.
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Constipation Remedy: Healthy Fats
Olive oil, nuts, and avocados all contain healthy fats, which can help lubricate your intestines and ease constipation, according to the experts at Harvard Medical School. A salad with fiber-rich leafy greens and a simple olive oil dressing, a small handful of nuts, or a tablespoon of natural nut butter on fruit or toast are good options. Even if youre watching your weight, healthy fats are necessary for basic body functions they are very satiating to keep you satisfied with less.
Here Are A Few Remedies That’ll Help You Free From Constipation
Lemon, salt and honey:
This is the most efficient cure for occasional constipation. Take one glass of warm water and add lemon juice and honey to it. Lemon helps you flush out the toxins from the system while honey works as a mild laxative. If you don’t want to use honey, you can use salt instead. Since salt is packed with magnesium which encourages contractions of the bowel muscles and it also helps to flush out toxins from the small intestine.
Consume oil or ghee:
Having too much dry food without any oil can also cause constipation. It’s important to oil the tracks, hence you should consider adding a considerable amount of ghee to your diet. Not only ghee, but even castor oil works great too. Take a spoon full of oil and consume it on an empty stomach and wait for 8 hours for it to work its magic.
Baking soda:
Say goodbye to artificial products that are available in the market and say yes to baking soda. Baking soda reacts with acids in the stomach, it produces salt, carbon dioxide and water. It aids bowel movement and cleanses the colon. In 1/4th cup of warm water, add 1tsp of baking soda and mix it well and then consume it.
Follow the right diet:
The most appropriate solution to get rid of constipation is to follow the right diet. Avoid consuming things like cheese, bread and potatoes daily. And add warm milk, ghee and ginger tea to your diet instead.
Raisins:
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Hot Vs Cold Lemon Water
The best temperature at which to drink lemon water is a highly debated topic.
Some sources claim that drinking cold water helps burn extra calories. Others believe that warm water helps improve digestive health.
There is very little research to support either side, and it is unlikely that the temperature makes any meaningful difference. A person can simply choose the temperature that they prefer.
Most recipes suggest using the juice of a whole lemon or half a lemon mixed with a glass of water.
People can tweak the amounts from there or add other ingredients based on their preferences.
Olive Oil With Yogurt
If you are suffering from constipation due to bacteria in the gut then this method is for you. Fight it with some probiotics like yogurt which contains good bacteria and strengthens the mucus lining of the colon. This helps to treat severe constipation and its symptoms.
- Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil into a cup of yogurt.
- Stir well and consume it.
- Repeat the process 3 times in a day.
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Best Fruits For Constipation
Fruits are a great option for easing constipation. Most are an excellent source of dietary fiber, along with providing you with a whole host of other nutritional benefits. Although there is no hard science on the matter, you may find that your body responds better to fruit that has been cooked or dried, as opposed to raw.
Here are some fruits that are thought to be helpful in easing constipation.
- Raisins
Diet Tips To Avoid Constipation:
In order to avoid and cure constipation, it is essential that you maintain healthy food habits. Here are a few changes you could make in your diet to cure constipation:
- Avoid foods that contain white flour like maida, white sugar and other processed foods.
- Eat light regular meals, and make sure you eat at least 3-4 hours before you go to bed. Regular meals not only keep constipation at bay.
- Include fruits and vegetables into your daily diet.
- Adding condiments like jeera,haldi and ajwain in your food while cooking it is a great way to help digestion.
- Drink at least eight glasses of water every day. Make sure you have a glass of warm water every morning and before you go to bed.
Constipation is an entirely curable and manageable condition, all you need to do is keep some of these home remedies in mind and you should be well on your way to a happy morning.
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Best Foods To Eat When Constipated
Use this quick pick list of high-fiber foods, and then explore more in-depth about why these foods will help your constipation. You will also find precautions for those who may be sensitive to some of the foods on the list.
- Fruit: Berries, peaches, apricots, plums, raisins, rhubarb, and prunes are some of the best high-fiber fruits. For a fiber boost, eat the peel as well.
- Whole Grains: Steer away from white flour and white rice and enjoy whole grains instead, which provide more fiber. Whole grains include oats, brown rice, whole wheat, quinoa, barley, and rye.
- Vegetables: Whether you’re eating the leaves, stalks, or roots, you’ll get fiber from vegetables, including what is in potato skins.
- Nuts: Walnuts and almonds will also add fiber to your diet.
- Seeds: Several kinds of seeds are excellent sources of fiber. You can add them to your smoothies or sprinkle them on yogurt or salads. Chia, ground flaxseeds, and psyllium are some of the most touted.
- Beans and Legumes : Legumes such as chickpeas, soybeans, lentils, navy beans, and kidney beans are good sources of fiber. However, they have a well-earned reputation for being gassy. If you have irritable bowel syndrome , beans and legumes are on the list of high FODMAP foods that may exacerbate IBS symptoms.
- Hot Tea: An herbal tea made with anise or fennel might be a soothing way to ease your constipation.
It Doesn’t Boost Energy Or Immunity
Lemon, ginger and cayenne shots are marketed to boost energy, support immunity and more. So it makes sense that some people recommend adding this trio to water as well as tea.
There’s nothing wrong with putting lemon, ginger and cayenne in water if you like the taste. However, this mixture isn’t going to improve your health, increase your energy or “detox” your body.
Sure, lemons contain vitamin C, which is good for immunity. But, per the USDA, you would need to drink the juice of four or five lemons to get a day’s worth of the recommended intake of vitamin C, according to the NIH.
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Lemon Water Cleanses And Detoxes
Water helps eliminate waste from the body through urine and healthy bowel movements. However, there is no evidence to suggest that lemon water is better than plain water for this.
In fact, most claims that foods or beverages can cleanse or detoxify the organs are not grounded in scientific fact. That includes claims about the lemon water detox diet.
Side Effects Of Constipation
As mentioned above, constipation is a common condition however, it should be noticed that chronic constipation could be dangerous for peoples health. There are some serious complications that may appear when you are constipated for a long time, including the systematic symptoms listed such as pain, stress, heart diseases and malnutrition. Furthermore, in some cases, constipation also leads to hemorrhoids and even cancer.
To the elderly, who are suffering cardiovascular disease, liver cirrhosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, constipation is even more dangerous as a straining and difficult bowel movement can increase blood pressure, a risk of cerebral embolism, shortness of breath and so on, which may cause sudden death. The stagnation of stool in the colon for long days also cause intestinal obstruction or facilitate the development of harmful bacteria, promoting the risk of other diseases and infections.
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How To Make Lemon Water
To make lemon water, simply mix the juice of half a lemon into a glass of warm water. Try drinking this mixture at night and first thing in the morning.
Do not forget to drink water throughout the day.
Consuming apples may help relieve constipation because they are high in both dietary fiber and sorbitol.
According to the , one medium apple contains 4.4 g of fiber and 18.91 g of sugar. Apples also contain vitamin C, calcium, and vitamin A, among other nutrients.
Apples also contain pectin, which is a water-soluble fiber that may promote bowel movements.
Apple juice contains relatively high quantities of fructose compared with other fruits. Drinking large amounts of apple juice can cause digestive discomfort in people who have sensitive bowels.
Juicing apples also significantly reduces their fiber content, which may make apple juice less effective than other juices for constipation relief.
Use fresh, locally sourced, organic apples where possible.
Read about the health benefits of apples here.
When And How Often To Drink Lemon Water
If you choose to have it, you can drink lemon water in the morning, night or any other time of day. Some people claim that lemon water helps them wake up and feel alert, but everyone responds differently. Others may find that hot water and lemon is calming, helping them ease into sleep if they have it in the evening. Just remember that having warm or cold lemon water in the morning will not “kickstart” your digestion or metabolism.
It’s also totally fine to drink lemon water before, during or after a workout. But don’t rely on it as a source of electrolytes. If you sweat heavily during exercise, it’s better to reach for a sports drink.
How often you have lemon water is also up to you, as there’s no scientific recommendation.
While the Master Cleanse recommends having six to 12 glasses of its “lemonade” every day for at least 10 days, that’s a bit extreme, especially considering that this mixture won’t actually “detox” your body. Plus, the American Dental Association recommends avoiding acidic beverages like lemon juice, or at least drinking them through a straw and having plain water afterward.
Talk to your dentist for their recommendation on how often it’s OK for you to have water and lemon, especially if you also drink other acidic beverages like soda.
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Essential Oil Massage For Constipation
Step One: Do whatever you need to do to relax. Your core muscles need to be loose for you to be able to apply pressure.
Take a bath in Epsom Salts, listen to some Kenny G, or do whatever else works for you.
I find the lavender essential oil helps me to settle my mind and my muscles and make the massage more effective.
When ready, lay down upon your back.
Step Two: Find the large intestine . It is housed in outer regions of the belly.
Think of a square that fits between the pelvic bones and the ribs.
The left, top, and right walls of that square will follow the path of the colon.
Step Three: Apply some of the essential oil mixture to the hands.
Step Four: Starting at the bottom of the right side.
Use a few fingers to apply light pressure while making a clockwise motion with those fingers.
Dont use a lot of force because that can compact the fecal matter.
You just want to encourage it along to its destination. Keep making the circular motions, and slowly move those fingers along the pathway.
Move up the right side.
When you reach just below the ribs, continue the massage, moving from the right side to the left.
After reaching the left side, continue the massage heading downwards.
How Is Ginger Tea Used To Treat Constipation
Herbalists for years have recommended ginger tea for the treatment of constipation. It has mild laxative effects and is often used to promote bowel activity. In addition, ginger tea acts as a mild appetite stimulant, strengthens the stomach, and promotes digestion, according to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.
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Before You Start Drinking
When you start drinking lemon water, remember to take it into moderation. Having too much lemon water can damage your systems more than help it. So, its recommended you only have one cup of lemon water daily. If you drink more, you might damage the lining of your stomach and intestines, as the drink can be highly acidic, and because your stomach also contains acids, to help break down your food, the added acidity will attack the organ itself.
Lemon Water Fights Cancer
Some sources claim that lemon water could help prevent cancer. This is based on the alkaline diet theory and is built on the premise that certain cancer cells cannot thrive in an alkaline environment.
The American Institute for Cancer Research state that this claim is false, since the foods a person eats does not affect the acidity of their blood or body cells.
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