Understanding Constipation and Natural Remedies - Part I

In today?s world many people suffer from constipation. We seek relief through medications, laxatives and natural remedies. Some work and some don?t. Unfortunately, many of those that do work only give temporary relief so the remedy is repeated time and again. This can worsen the underlying problem and cause new issues of physical reliance on the remedy.

One problem is that constipation is merely a symptom of a larger issue. Constipation can arise from stress or poor eating habits. In either case, if you are consuming more than one meal a day and having less than one bowel movement a day, you are constipated.

Think about it, if you eat 3 meals a day and have a bowel movement only one time during these three days, are 9 meals leaving your body? The nutrients that are absorbed by your body are microscopic so there should be quite a bit of waste leaving.

The small intestine can be anywhere from 18-25 feet. The colon is approximately 5 feet long. Combined, there is about 23-30 feet of tubes winding through your midsection from the bottom of your ribcage to about your hipbones, front to back. If you take a tube and laid it out, you will see there is plenty of room for storage along the walls. Stuffed inside of you, this doesn?t leave much room for storage.

Peristalsis must happen to move used food (or waste) through this ?tube.? Peristalsis is the muscular contraction of the small intestine and colon (large intestine) and it must happen all along your large and small intestine to create a bowel movement. If it slows down or if there is blockage, you become constipated. Most people have both problems, each contributing to worsening the other.

Your intestine is supposed to be a flexible tube and peristalsis is a wave-like motion. When this long and flexible organ gets lined with a buildup, the hardened plaque will slow or even stop the wave-like motions. As these muscles are inhibited, they also become weakened. Just as with any muscle, if you can?t use it, you lose it. As time goes on, instead of having a diameter of about 1 1/2 inches for waste to move through, there may be areas of your intestine that have only 1/4 inch diameter because of the buildup!

Most constipation remedies will give temporary relief as they attempt to either force extreme contractions or soften and turn the matter that isn?t yet hardened to liquid, making it easier to move through the smaller, weaker part of your tubing.

What is needed is a comprehensive approach along with the immediate relief. A colon cleanse fits both the short term remedy and, when done properly, will help create the long-term lifestyle changes needed.

When doing a colon cleanse, the healthier diet and herbs move through your digestive tract easier than processed foods. Over time, the type of fiber used during a cleanse will soften the buildup of older matter helping this buildup to be removed, also.

A longer and more permanent solution can work when given a chance. However, we must be cautious of choosing the correct colon cleansing program. Be sure that more helpful herbs are used. Laxatives, natural and pharmaceutical, should at a minimum (or even non-existent) and temporary. Gather your information from a few sources. Don?t rely on the propaganda or sales pitch from a supplement company.

Incorporate a healthy diet and possibly bodywork such as acupuncture or colon hydrotherapy with your colon cleanse to ensure success. You can learn more about the right way to cleanse and easing constipation at Springclean-cleanse.com.

Cindy Papp was diagnosed with Hepatitis C in 1992. She learned how to cleanse in 1994 which lead to total recovery from Hep C in 1998. She is free of the disease to date. Her experiences led her to manage a holisitic health center where she became a Ceritified Nutritional Counselor, trained in massage therapy and a Certified Colon Therapist. She then owned and operated her own health center in the San Fernando Valley of California, specializing in total body cleansing, until she sold it 2004.

Cindy has put much of her expertise on cleansing on her website http://www.springclean-cleanse.com where you can learn more about the right way to cleanse, and how to choose the best cleanse for you.

Green Tea Is A Natural Remedy For Constipation

 

If you are looking for a natural remedy for constipation, there is help.

Although each person's routine is different, you pretty much know when you're constipated. However, you might not know what's causing the problem.

Green tea is considered a natural cure for constipation mainly because it promotes "friendly" bacteria in the intestines thereby encourages bowel regularity.

These friendly bacteria helps increase your resistance to infection, helps maintain bowel regularity, and promotes digestion. It has also been reported that regular consumption of green tea results in a reduced odor from the feces.

Constipation can also be caused by stress, dehydration, hemorrhoids, or anal fissures. A colon with weak muscle tone can also cause constipation.

If there aren't any serious underlying causes, there is a natural constipation relief.

Make sure you drink plenty of water. Water adds soft bulk to stools. It's also required by the cells of the colon to lubricate the stools' passage.

You should drink at least 8 glasses of water a day. If you're physically active or if you drink coffee or soda that makes you urinate often, you should drink 12 glasses a day.

Dietary fiber absorbs water and makes stools fuller and easier to pass.

Good food sources include prunes, apples, kidney beans, and other legumes, and other oats.

Prune juice, of course, can help you with your problem.

Although it's best to get your fiber from food sources, you can also take a supplement when your meals aren't supplying enough.

If you can afford, eat organic foods. They are healthier choice because they are free from hormones, pesticides, and preservatives. These chemicals are toxic to our system which causes a "traffic" or delay to the normal flow.

In the long run, you would be saving money by buying o

Mary Rose Antonio is a physical therapist for 20 years now and is a great believer in natural healing. She also has a website where she offers organic japanese green tea, chinese green tea. She also invites you to visit this site to learn more about the amazing health benefits of green tea.

rganic items because you will be a lot healthier, thereby less prone to sickness.

A Guide To Obtaining Constipation and Bloating Relief

About 4 million Americans complain about constipation annually. Constipation is the irregular movement of bowels. This is because your stools are hard and you experience difficulty in passing them. When you do move your bowels, you may also get the feeling of incomplete evacuation. Constipation is triggered by insufficient water and fiber intake. Unhealthy diets and eating too much meat and unprocessed foods are all a precursor to constipation.

What is considered a regular bowel movement? The normal bowel movement of a healthy adult varies between 3 and 21 times a week. A healthy adult should pass at least one bowel movement a day. Less than three bowel movements is medically a condition of constipation and less than one bowel movement in a week is acute constipation.

Constipation can lead to bloating, which is the swelling of the abdomen. Bloating is simply a condition whereby the stomach becomes overstretched by excessive gas content. Constipation and bloating relief should be addressed, as lack of effective treatment can lead to several other diseases.

Stagnant stools which cannot be effective cleared and therefore stored in your colon can give rise to several harmful bacteria. These bacteria can create inflammation on the colon linings, which then lead to colon cancer. In acute constipation, the bacteria from colon can enter other parts in the digestive system. These hamper your entire digestive process. Other symptoms that emerge include eczema, acne, skin problems, headaches, a lowered immune system and mood changes.

So how do you obtain constipation and bloating relief? There are several natural methods for constipation and bloating relief. Constipation is directly associated with what you eat. A fiber rich diet is the most common remedy. Fiber retains water in the stools and also increases the size of it as this can lead to their easy passage. A fiber rich diet also helps in the growth of good bacteria. Psyllium is high in soluble fiber and consuming psyllium with large amounts of water provides much constipation and bloating relief.

Prunes are also highly recommended. Prune contains large amount of potassium which stimulates the linings of colon and this leads to easy bowel movements. Potassium also cleans the fecal matter attached to the colon linings. Thus, you may wish to consider having more prunes for constipation and bloating relief.

In addition, you should include more vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, cucumber and tomato in your diet. These vegetables are rich in potassium and should help you with your bowel movements. Fruits like pineapple also contains large amount of potassium.

Herbs like aloe, senna, buckthorn and frangula are proven natural remedies for constipation. Flax seed and Rhubarb are other two herbs that can provide much constipation and bloating relief. Most of these herbs are available in the market. Some of these herbs have high laxative properties. You should therefore use them only taking professional advice.

Thus, it can be seen that there are many ways to obtain constipation and bloating relief. You should not allow your constipation to go untreated. Accumulating toxic waste in your body can only create problems later. Start making some changes to your eating and lifestyle habits from today!

Are you one of those that suffer from acute constipation but is leaving the problem untreated? Learn about the dangers of doing so. Check out this site by Sandra Kim Leong who writes on ibs symptoms at http://www.ibs-treatment-options.com

Constipation

The general guidelines as to what is generally considered Constipation include bowel movement less than three times a week, hard and dry pellet-like stools, straining too much to pass stools, painful bowel movement, feeling of bloated stomach, uneasiness and sluggishness and a feeling of incomplete evacuation.

Most of us get constipated at one time or other due to change of food habits, travel, surgery, pregnancy and other minor G.I. tract disorders.

There is an interesting survey on Constipation.

?In America black people suffer from Constipation more than whites.

?Constipation is not very common amongst Asians, but increases sharply when they adopt a western diet.

?In South Africa, Constipation is more common in white people than in blacks.

The conclusions are that our digestive system has evolved over a long period of time, adapting to particular types of food and other cultural and environmental lifestyles. When these are changed, the system cannot cope with it immediately, and this results in Constipation.

In addition, Constipation is caused by slow movement of the stool in the colon, not enough fiber or liquids in the diet, certain medications, abuse of laxatives and certain specific disorders and diseases like multiple sclerosis, Parkinson?s disease, stroke or diabetes.

The most important lifestyle correction to be done in the treatment of Constipation, except for those involving serious disorders, will be to have a high-fiber diet with plenty of cereals, fruits and vegetables, and drinking plenty of water, about 1.5 to 2 liters a day. One should also avoid drinks that cause dehydration, such as ones containing caffeine or alcohol. Training the bowel to pass stools at a certain time every day, particularly early in the morning when the stomach is unsettled, is also useful. If medication for another disorder is the problem, change to a different type. Use laxatives only for short periods.

Only a physician should decide the use of enemas, suppositories and other prescription laxatives.

Chronic Constipation provides detailed information on constipation, cat constipation, causes of constipation, chronic constipation and more. Chronic Constipation is affiliated with Are Cold Sores Contagious? .

Enema Or Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Constipation Managed With Intestinal Cleansing

Ever had an enema? Do you suffer from constipation? If you suffer from abdominal cramps, bloating and some diarrhea then you might be a sufferer of irritable bowel syndrome. If you are looking for relief, good news?

The subtle symptoms creep into our life one at a time until we find a barrage of complications we never had before. Constipation is the most obvious difference, then pain, abdominal cramps and bloating followed with occasional diarrhea, all add up to irritable bowel syndrome.

Our lifestyles have shaped our habits to fit an unnatural pattern of elimination. We eat and rush to work or school, suppressing the natural elimination that should occur within 20 minutes after eating.

Some individuals may wait as long as a week between bowel movements. This only complicates the impaction, toxic build up in the bowel, which comes back into the blood stream as toxic waste, and creates a need for laxatives or enemas.

Enema can be a natural remedy for irritable bowel syndrome and constipation. The early 1900?s medical practice was that when a patient was admitted to the hospital for any ailment, the patient first received an enema. A bit messy and inconvenient, enema is usually a last resort. Diet and intestinal cleanse using all natural herbs has become more popular and healthy.

Colon cleanse has become a buzzword as it has been determined that the origin of most disease starts in the colon. The impaction of fecal matter that lines the walls of the colon without being eliminated can easily be 15 pounds. Decay and putrefaction in the bowl throws the immune system in extreme overload, ridding the body of toxins and trying to fight off disease. If the immune system fails, disease grows in the body.

Irritable bowel syndrome can be controlled before permanent damage is done to the colon. Herbal colon cleanse is the most effective on a long-term use. Herbal colon detoxification is also called colon cleanse. High fiber foods in the diet are natural scrubbing agents for the colon to cleanse the cilia that absorb nutrients.

Constipation is not all corrected with a laxative. Drink 5 glasses of water a day. Avoid excess bread and pastry. Augment your diet with foods high in fiber. Choose an intestinal formula supplement that will stimulate the peristaltic action in your bowel and strengthens the colon muscles.

Avoid harsh laxatives that are not all natural. Dependence on over the counter laxatives can lead to weakened elimination muscles and loss of natural body function.

It is claimed that all habits can be learned in 21 days. In the next three weeks try an intestinal herbal formula and make time to eliminate within 30 minutes of eating. Your body is designed to heal itself if you do not override the master plan.

James Zeller is the new "Euell Gibbons" for natural supplements. For more information about Intestinal Supplements or help for "50 and Over" Baby Boomers.

Treating Your Dog & Constipation

Constipation usually occurs when the dog does not get enough bulk in his diet or when he does not get enough proper exercise. When a dog does not get the chance to eliminate when he needs to, he may develop the habit of holding it in. A dog that is not let out enough will also likely to develop this habit. In these simple cases of constipation, you may use the following treatment to ease your dog's discomfort:

1. Feed your dog a natural diet that includes fresh vegetables with sufficient amounts of bulk. Raw meat is also considered a natural laxative for dogs. If your dog's stool looks dry, add ? to 1 teaspoon of bran (depending on his weight) to each serving of meal. Adding bran helps the stools hold extra moisture. You may also apply a similar treatment using ? to 2 teaspoons of powdered psyllium seed. This is available online and in most health food stores.

2. You may also use mineral oil temporarily in cases where there is a large build-up of hard stools. Depending on the size of your dog, add ? to 2 teaspoons to his meals twice a day, for no longer than a week. Continued use of this method is not ideal because the oil will draw reserves of vitamin A from the dog's body. In addition, continued use of this process may create a dependency on its use for normal elimination.

3. Make sure that the dog is getting plenty of opportunity to go outside to relieve himself. Another treatment that is very effective is to make sure that your dog is getting enough sufficient exercise. Exercise is vital for massaging his internal organs and increasing the blood flow all over his body, which also stimulates a slow metabolism. Running, long walks, or playing fetch are great forms of exercise that both you and your dog can benefit from.

Chronic case of constipation

If your dog is suffering from chronic and prolonged constipation, you may also try homeopathic treatment, which is a natural form of remedy. Consult a vet who specializes in this form of treatment to determine if this is the best route to take.

Aluminum poisoning is also possible with a dog that has a weak rectum. Signs of aluminum poisoning include chronic constipation with straining and sticky and messy stools rather than hard ones. Even if the stool is soft, weak rectal muscles make passage difficult. If you feel that aluminum poisoning is the cause of your dog's chronic constipation, stop using aluminum cooking pots and dishes when preparing your dog's food. Avoid pet food that is sold in aluminum cans. In addition, do not feed your dog processed cheeses, table salt, white flour, and tap water. To remove the aluminum from his body, use high doses of vitamin C - about 500 milligrams to 3 grams per day along with zinc supplement-5 milligrams for small dogs up to 20 milligrams for large dogs.

Gene Sower is the publisher of the DOG BYTES newsletter and owner of http://www.naturalpetsworld.com, a site devoted to offering a huge selection of natural pet foods at discount prices.

Information Constipation

If you've been in the process of starting a business (or
thinking about starting a business) for more than 6 months,
but you haven't made any progress, you may be suffering from
Information Constipation.

Information Constipation is a dreadful disease that strikes
over analytical people, procrastinators, and the fearful.
People have so much information that they are paralyzed and
unable to act. The condition is generally marked by an
elongated period called "research". Some people refer to
this period as "getting ready", "information gathering", or
"preparation". The main symptom is several months
(or years) spent checking out a business opportunity in
lieu of actually pursuing it. People generally suffer from
a feeling that they don't have enough information or they
aren't very knowledgeable about the subject and hence they
are unable to move forward. This is quite often to the
contrary because they have spent so much time gathering
information that they are now more "book smart" about their
potential business than many people who have a successful
business up and running.

There is really only one known cure for Information
Constipation and that is (in the famous words of Nike):
Just Do it! You will never have all of the information you
need. You will never know everything there is to know .
Not to mention, a little fear and apprehension is normal
and healthy.

So if you or someone you know is suffering from Information
Constipation get them to the nearest coach, friend or
motivator so that they can get a much needed push to make
their idea a reality.

 Myrtis Smith is a
personal coach. She gets people to stop hating thier jobs.
To see how she might be able to help you, sign up for
her free newsletter (Change Now!) or visit her on the web
at www.premeditatedlife.com
.......because life doesn't just happen!

How Your Constipation Causes Toxicity

Having regular constipation can lead to some serious illnesses. Fecal matter should move through your colon easily and in a short time. When fecal matter remains in your colon for days, your colon becomes toxic and spreads this toxicity into every part of the body. In the bloodstream, these toxins interfere with the deliver of oxygen to the cells and tissues of your body.

If you have to strain and squeeze to have a bowel movement, you can damage the tissues in the lower part of your colon and the blood vessels in your legs.

In the Past

Over 90 years ago and more, doctors knew about the importance of a clean colon. In 1908 Eli Metchnifoff, director of the Pasteur Institute, was awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine. His research showed that pathogenic colon bacteria, bad bacteria (I will cover this in a later chapter) produced toxic secretions and by products, which acted as slow poisoning of the entire body.

Metchnifoff believed that toxic matter coming from your colon was responsible for every degenerating disease. His belief was so strong that he suggested that man's life span was certainly cut in half when his colon was neglected and allowed to have excessive toxic producing bacteria.

In 1931 Dr. Joseph H. Greer, was telling his patients what to do to end constipation and how to prevent it. Today, nutritionists and other health practitioners are telling their clients the same thing.

In his small book, The Drugless Road to Perfect Health, 1931, Joseph H. Greer, M.D. reminds his patients,

"You must have 'roughage' to make the bowels move freely. Concentrated food (processed foods) and constipation go hand in hand, (and) then pills (laxatives) are used. More constipation and more pills, it is a vicious circle with bad results.
Don't be afraid of cracked wheat, cornmeal, cut oats, raw cabbage, onions and celery. They are far better than refined flour and the package foods that flood the market. They may save some labor in the kitchen, but they produce constipation."

Today, it is well accepted by nutritionists, Naturopathic doctors, and other alternative medicine practitioners, that constipation is a signal that cannot be ignored and your colon function must be kept efficient and well functioning. To ignore constipation for long periods of time can lead to some serious illnesses. Mostly likely you will not live to be a ripe old age and if you do it will be with some disability.

Constipation is a symptom you cannot ignore - even if it occurs only occasionally -because it leads to slow poisoning of your entire body.

Many doctors, for a longtime, have refused to believe that constipation can cause other parts of the body to become weaken and become unable to perform their function. You will still find Internet articles, anatomy books, and health books suggesting that for some people bowel movements in 3 days or more can be normal.

You do not have to wait for a disease to take hold of your body so doctors can see you are ill. Take responsibility for your health and don't let constipation become a reoccurring condition.


Rudy Silva has a degree in Physics and is a Natural Nutritionist. He is the author of Constipation, Acne, Hemorrhoid, and Fatty Acid ebooks. His information can be seen at http://www.constipation-remedies.for--you.info

Using Calcium and Magnesium for Constipation

Calcium helps reduce constipation

Using calcium and magnesium in the right quantities can prevent or relieve constipation. They can support the health of your colon and keep you regular.

In your colon, calcium combines with excess bile and decaying fat to form a harmless insoluble soap, which is excreted with your stool. This helps to keep your colon clean.

Most Nutritionists recommend you take 1000 - 1500mg daily of Calcium. Because Calcium can cause constipation, it is necessary to take 500 - 1000 mg of magnesium at the same time you take Calcium.

You should space out your intake of calcium over Take only 400 to 600 mg each time. Also take some time-out when taking calcium and other vitamin supplements. In a month, take 2-3 Sundays or Saturdays of from taking vitamins.

Avoid taking calcium carbonate, which will reduce the times you will have a bowel movement. Avoid, also, taking calcium when eating foods that contain oxalates phosphates, or phytates. They tie up calcium and are excreted with the fecal matter

If you are taking a thyroid hormone, beta-blockers, calcium-channel blockers, or antibiotics, calcium supplements can interfere with adsorption of these drugs.

It is best to take calcium around 2 hours before or after taking these and other drugs.

Avoid taking calcium citrate with aluminum-containing antacids. This combination has been seen to increase your body's absorption of aluminum. Aluminum has been associated with senility and Alzheimer's

Calcium is safe for pregnant women and they should take an adequate amount of calcium.

The best calcium to take is calcium gluconate, orotate or aspartate. The gluconate type is similar to the calcium you get from milk and some vegetables. It is a gentle calcium and is easily absorbed by children and adults with weak digestion.

The foods to eat for good calcium are:

Goat milk, egg yolk, fish, lemons, rhubarb, cheese, skimmed milk, bone broth, seeds, dulse, kelp, greens, nuts, cauliflower, celery, cottage cheese, gelatin preparations, barns,

Magnesium helps reduce constipation

Magnesium, a gentle laxative, helps to prevent constipation by relaxing your colon walls when you are under stress, have anxiety, or have too many worries. It normalizes tension on colon walls allowing for a normal peristaltic action.

Because magnesium attracts water, you can bring in more water into your colon by taking magnesium supplements or by eating foods, which are high in magnesium. Water in your colon makes your stools softer and allows your colon to absorb water from your fecal matter if you body needs it.

How do you know if you are short on magnesium? You will get cramps in your calves at night or so called "Charlie horses." Or, you will feel sore after some mild exercise or activity.
.
Take 400 mg in the morning and 400 mg in the evening of Magnesium gluconate, or citrate.

Jesse Lynn Hanley, M.D., in his book call, Tired of Being Tired, 2002, gives another way to take Magnesium to relieve your constipation,

"Take at bedtime. Begin with 200 milligrams magnesium oxide or magnesium citrate-you may increase the dosage in 200-milligram increments until your bowels move regularly. The dose for magnesium is individual, so begin low and increase the dosage as needed. Reduce the dosage if you experience loose bowels. Unlike irritating laxatives, magnesium does not create laxative dependency."

If taking hypoglycemic drugs, magnesium may increase absorption of these drugs. It is recommended you consult with your doctor on the effects of magnesium with the type of hypoglycemic drug you are taking.

If taking magnesium, do not take it within 2 hours of taking any kind of drug.

If you have severe kidney or heart disease, you need to avoid magnesium and consult with your doctor on its use.

Magnesium is considered safe for pregnant women.

Foods High in Magnesium

Chlorophyll is high in magnesium and chlorophyll comes in capsules. These are some of the foods that are high in magnesium.

Greens, berries, wheat germ, grains, nuts, cornmeal, apples, apricots, oats, pears, pecans, spinach, tofu, lentils, honey, fish, cabbage, avocados, cashews, peas, prunes, soy milk, chard

You can see that calcium and magnesium is not just for bone building and acid neutralization, but it is also good for constipation prevention and relief.

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.com or at http://www.constipation-remedies.for--you.info

Copyright Rudy Silva - http://www.stop-constipation.com