Treatment of Constipation

 

People who tend to ignore their body signals over time have lost the ability to recognize when it's time to move their bowels. This is common in constipation. In this situation, it may help to go to the bathroom at the same time every day when a bowel movement is most likely to occur, usually about thirty minutes after breakfast or after a cup of caffeinated coffee (caffeine is a stimulant of the gastrointestinal tract). Remember, however, that caffeine is a Flag Food for heartburn - again what helps an gastrointestinal problem may exacerbate another. Nicotine, while a recognized stimulant of the intestines, is not recommended as a treatment for constipation.

When you attempt to "retrain" your bowel, remember to take your time. Your mother may have told you to "do your business" quickly and get off the toilet, possibly to avoid hemorrhoids but probably because most of us grew up in a house with one bathroom. Today, even small houses usually have at least two bathrooms, so take your time. If breakfast time finds you at work, any large meal will do for bowel retraining. When food enters your stomach, it encourages the colon to contract. This impulse is transmitted by nerves that innervate the colon; certain hormones may also be involved. Some people, especially those with inflammatory bowel disease, have an exaggerated gastrocolic reflex - soon after they eat, they have to run to the bathroom. In bowel retraining for constipation, the gastrocolic reflex works in your favor in moving your bowels.

Drugs may also be used to treat constipation. Scores of laxatives on the market can provide a quick fix to relieve constipation. They fall into several different categories according to their mechanism of action. Bulk laxatives add volume and fluid to the stool. Metamucil, Efferyllium and Perdiem are psyllium seed laxatives that add non-irritating bulk and promote normal elimination. FiberCon, which has a similar bulking action, contains the fiber calcium polycarbophil. You may notice an increase in wind (flatulence) and stomach bloating when you are taking fiber supplements. This is normal and tends to settle down after a few months after the gut becomes used to the increase in fiber. Stool softeners are not laxatives but contain surface-active ingredients that keep soft for easy, natural passage. Magnesium salts like Milk of Magnesia work by increasing the fluid of the gastrointestinal tract. Dolculax is a stimulant laxative that acts directly on the colon to make it contract. Miralax is a prescription drug that works very well for some constipated individuals. Zelnorm can be used to treat garden variety constipation not related to irritable bowel disease. Lactulose is another prescription drug to treat constipation.

In general, it is always best to try the gentlest agents first. Over time, harsh laxatives can damage the bowel and ultimately make you dependent on laxatives to move your bowel. For most people, it is recommended to start with a bulk laxative or stool softener and, if necessary, adding Milk of Magnesia. Only in very difficult cases would a stimulant laxative or prescription drug be the treatment of choice for constipation.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Constipation

 

 

Using psyllium for relieving constipation

If you have asthma, do not take or use psyllium. Some people with asthma have had allergic reactions to psyllium and the powder from psyllium can cause an asthma attack.

Some you may be allergic to psyllium. If you are, you may become constipated or develop dark areas under your eyes.

Psyllium is the fiber part of seed husks from plantain. It is high in a soluble fiber that is called mucilage, so it absorbs water and becomes bulky. It contains almost no insoluble fiber, yet it acts like it has both soluble and insoluble fiber. Stomach enzymes do not easily breakdown psyllium, so it moves into your colon like insoluble fiber.

Psyllium fiber acts on your colon relieving constipation.

In your colon, psyllium activates peristaltic action and helps to clean your colon of any stagnation that has occurred there. By adding moisture to dry hard fecal matter, psyllium helps to move fecal matter through your colon. As psyllium seeds bulk up in your colon, they push against your colon walls stimulating peristaltic action. The soluble fiber in psyllium provides food for good bacteria, which helps them to multiple.

One added benefit of psyllium is its ability to pull toxins out of bowel pockets known as diverticuli.

Psyllium is a popular ingredient in many remedies on the market for relieving constipation. Choose a psyllium product that does not have sugar, maltodextrin, or artificial sweeteners. If possible, buy psyllium in bulk form from a health food store, which may offer it in bins. In this form, it is processed less and usually contains no additives.

Heres how to use for relieving constipation.

For mild constipation, take 1 teaspoon in a glass of juice or warm water 3 times a day.

Work up to taking one teaspoon of psyllium by starting with teaspoon in a glass of water or juice. The next day take teaspoon and so on until you are taking one teaspoon. Do the same when considering taking up to 2 teaspoons of psyllium.

Start by taking 1 teaspoon just before going to bed. After drinking your glass of psyllium seeds, follow this up each time with another 8 oz of clear distilled water.

For moderate constipation, take 2 teaspoons in a glass of juice or warm water daily. Start by taking 2 teaspoons at breakfast time.

It can take up to 3 days to get constipation relief and that depends on the dose you take.

Use psyllium seeds with care. Some cases have been found where psyllium seed parts have lodged in the colon wall, causing an irritation. When using excessive psyllium seeds, it is possible that it can deposit on your colon walls if you have deposited toxic waste there. This adds to the encrustation along your colon wall.

Continue to drink water during the day, up to 4-6 glasses a day, when using psyllium seeds. This helps push the seeds through your colon and not deposit along your colon walls. Remember the seeds bulk up and absorb water and you dont want them to cause constipation by bulking up and getting stuck in your colon.

Use psyllium seeds only long enough for relieving your constipation. Excessive use of psyllium can cause allergic reactions and can cause constipation if used incorrectly.


Rudy Silva has a degree in Physics and is a Natural Nutritionist. He is the author of Constipation, Acne, Hemorrhoid, and Fatty Acid e-books. He writes a newsletter called natural-remedies-thatwork.com and his information on other topics can be seen at http://www.stop-constipation.comor at http://www.constipation-remedies.for--you.info

Relieve constipation with aloe vera

Menstruating or pregnant women should not use Aloe Vera, in any form, to relieve constipation

Aloe Vera is a wonder herb that has been around for thousands of years. It has been used for both external and internal problems skin rashes, burns, ulcers, internal bleeding. It also promotes bowel movements, which helps to relieve constipation. I have found that some people are allergic to Aloe Vera. So if you show a rash or have any other undesirable symptoms, dont use it.

Aloe is an astringent, acts to tighten muscles, and has purgative and laxative action dispels fecal matter that has collected in your colon. There are many aloe vera products to choose from. For best results, choose an aloe that is close to that of fresh organic aloe whole leaf.

Using Aloe Vera Gel to Relieve Constipation

Take two tablespoons of pure aloe vera gel mixed with apple juice. You can use other types of juices that fit your taste.

If you use aloe juice drink, mix 1/3 of aloe juice with 2/3 of a juice you like just before bedtime or just on awakening.

Or, if you can handle the taste of the juice, drink a glass of Aloe Vera juice as soon as you wake up and one just before bedtime. This will promote a bowel movement when you wake up.

Relieve Constipation with Aloe Vera Capsules

Aloe Vera can also be taken in capsules. Because aloe can have a strong griping action, it is best to take this herb with a calmative herb such as turmeric. Aloe can also be mixed with powdered fennel seeds. But, you can take aloe as described above and see how you react to it. I know many people who take it without turmeric and they dont have any side effects

The best aloe vera is, of course, fresh aloe gel from a leaf. Look for an aloe that has been hand and not machine pressed. When aloe has been machine pressed, it can be contaminated with the yellow sap that is contained in the outer skin of the aloe leaf.

This yellow sap has strong laxative and irritating action in the gastrointestinal tract. A good aloe should not have more than 10 parts per million of yellow sap.

Aloe has been shown to lower blood sugar levels. Diabetics may find a need to lower medication dosages when using aloe for a long time. But monitor this with your blood tester and your doctor.

In addition, aloe vera has a cleansing action and restores a healthy balance of the good bacteria in your colon.

Heres how to use Aloe Vera to relieve constipation

Use aloe for 5 days and then rest 2 days. Using aloe on and off like this can help to reduce allergic reactions from long-term use.

Typical recommendations are:

Aloe gel 2 tablespoon each day
Aloe vera juice 1 quart each day
Aloe vera concentrate 5 g up to 3 times each day

Remember, if youre pregnant do not use aloe vera. It has not been studied for women during this period.

Drinking peppermint tea when taking aloe vera capsules can relieve mild cases constipation. You can also mix aloe gel with peppermint tea to form a constipation drink.

Taking aloe vera to relieve constipation can give you good results since aloe vera has a strong action in the colon.


Rudy Silva has a degree in Physics and is a Natural Nutritionist. He is the author of Constipation, Acne, Hemorrhoid, and Fatty Acid e-books. He writes a newsletter called natural-remedies-thatwork.com and his information on other topics can be seen at http://www.stop-constipation.comor at http://www.constipation-remedies.for--you.info