Constipation is a condition where you have infrequent bowel movements of less than 3 times a week and difficulty in a passing motion. The stools are dry and hard and you may experience pain when you strain and push to empty your bowels.
Physically, you feel lethargic, without any energy and your abdomen feels bloated. At the same time you also feel very irritable.
How do you become constipated?
When the stool remains in the big intestine for too long or it passes through too slowly, it becomes dry and hard. It could also become impacted as you consume more food and your stool gets backed up. Toxins accumulate in your bowel and are leaked into your bloodstream when your sluggish liver cannot cope. They are then carried to other organs in your body. Being constipated means that you are being poisoned by the toxic wastes remaining in your body.
As a result, you will feel bloated, uncomfortable and if you suffer from constipation all the time, as some people do, your health will be compromised. You could end up with cancer of the bowel or colon cancer.
What causes constipation?
Many factors easily lead to constipation, for example, a sudden change in your usual habits such as travel or a different diet or stopping your exercise. When you travel to a country in a different time zone, your usual habit of going to the toilet is affected. You may be eating food that is not your usual diet and you are not able to exercise as you are wont to do. This upsets the body rhythm and constipation may result.
When you have the urge to "go" ( to move your bowel ), the time and place may not be appropriate so you stifle that urge. Later when it is opportune, you have difficulty in moving your bowel because you had suppressed the urge earlier.
Eating a low fibre diet and not drinking enough water can also lead to constipation. Taking supplements such as iron and calcium can also lead to constipation.
Some medications can also contribute to constipation, e.g. painkillers, diuretics, medication for depression and certain types of antacids.
There are also medical conditions which may result in constipation. Because of the supplements that an expectant mother takes, she is liable to find herself suffering from constipation. Irritable bowel syndrome and dysfunction of the muscles in the intestine, diabetes and hypothyroidism, a condition where insufficient hormones slow down the body's functions, all contribute to constipation.
Is there any relief for constipation?
For immediate relief and as a short-term solution, you can take laxatives. This will loosen your stool and force it out of your system. You can take it orally or use suppositories. However, regular use of laxatives is not advisable as it can lead to dependency and a lazy bowel.
For a long-term solution, which is healthier for you, it is best to consider some changes in your life style habits.
First of all you need to be aware of your diet and eating habits. You need to eat more vegetables and fruit so that you will get enough fiber. Fiber makes your stool soft and bulky and facilitates easy bowel movement.
Cut down on non-fiber food such as processed food and meat. Drink plenty of water. You can also consume liquid in the form of fruit juice and green tea. This will keep your body hydrated and the system functioning.
Regular exercise is a must. Daily exercise routines of at least half an hour will keep your digestive system working and healthy. Whether you go swimming, walking, cycling or work out at the gym, make sure you exercise consistently. This will ensure that you will not only be fit but also more relaxed. Your health will also improve
Listen to your body. It tells you when you need to "go" and you should heed it. Do not suppress the urge whether it is to urinate or to move your bowel. Your body usually tells you and you will soon be regular in your bowel habits, thus avoiding constipation.
However, you still need to use a colon cleanser to get rid of the impacted stool and toxins that have accumulated over a period of time. Toxins from the food we eat and the polluted environment around us, accumulate over time and clog up our colon. This toxic waste has to be eliminated. You need to detoxify. Using a colon cleanser once in three months will lead to a cleaner and healthier colon. Detoxification plays an important role in staying healthy.
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