What is Constipation?
There are a lot
of general problems in the way towards a healthy lifestyle and constipation is
one of them. Constipation is a general lifestyle disorder that can effect your
overall lifestyle. It is one of the most commonly found digestive problems.
Constipation is a condition in which a person faces difficulty in emptying the
large bowel. This condition occurs when your bowel movements become infrequent
and it gets difficult to pass stool.
Causes of Constipation
Constipation
usually happens due to changes in your diet, lifestyle and other habits.
Hormonal changes due to pregnancy and certain medications can also cause
constipation. Occasional constipation generally occurs due to the lifestyle
causes, that may include -
● A low fibre diet - an inadequate amount of fibre in your body can cause constipation. As
it has been observed that deficiency of fibre in your body can be a leading
cause of constipation.
● Lack of water - it is essential to drink at least 7 to 9 glasses of water per day to
avoid problems in the digestive system. Dehydration can be one of the major
causes of constipation.
● Lack of physical exercise - lack of physical activity in your daily life can lead to
constipation. Regular exercises help in improving your lifestyle, thus it is
necessary to exercise regularly to avoid constipation.
● Delaying the urge to have a bowel movement - when you delay the natural call to
have a bowel movement, it affects your digestive system and it may lead to
constipation.
● Dietary changes and travel - travelling and the changes in your routine diet may cause
constipation. It may last up to 2 or 3 days until your body adjusts with the
change.
● Pregnancy
- pregnancy causes several hormonal changes in a woman’s body. These changes
can lead to constipation.
Constipation
can be chronic also, it can keep disturbing you for a long time. Some of common
causes of chronic constipation are -
● Complications in the nerves around the rectum and colon.
● Blockages in the rectum or colon.
● Problems with the muscles that are involved in the defecation.
● Conditions that cause hormonal changes in your body, such as - diabetes, hyperthyroidism or
hypothyroidism.
Complications due to Constipation
○ Swollen veins in your anus
(hemorrhoids).
○ Detachment of the large intestine
from inside the body and pushing out of the rectum(rectal prolapse).
○ Stool that can not be eliminated (
fecal impaction).
○ Tearing in the skin around your anus
( anal fissures).
○ laziness , that can last for 2 or 3
days.
○ Mood swings
○ Stomach ache
8 Remedies to Treat Constipation
Constipation is
a general lifestyle disorder and it causes various complications in your day to
day life. Thus, it is essential to treat it as soon as possible, because when
this condition is left untreated, the complications can get worse. Although constipation can be treated with the help of certain
medicines, there are some general tips that will help you in dealing with
constipation. Let’s know more about the remedies to treat constipation.
1.
Balanced diet - a balanced diet filled with all the
nutrients is the best remedy for the treatment of constipation. Your diet must
be filled with all the essential nutrients that are required by your body for a
healthy lifestyle. A healthy lifestyle will help you in eliminating general
lifestyle diseases like constipation and increase the quality of your life.
A fiber rich diet will be the most effective for preventing
constipation.
2.
Increasing intake of fluids - start drinking plenty of fluids, add
4 or 5 extra glasses of water in your daily water consumption. It will keep you
hydrated and enhance the functioning of your digestive system.
3.
Exercise regularly - exercising 5 to 6 times a week will
prevent you from the complications of constipation. Start exercising on a
regular basis to steer clear of constipation and live a healthy lifestyle.
4.
Avoid caffeine and alcohol - you should start avoiding caffeine
and alcohol as they can cause dehydration in your body and disturb your
digestive system. This in turn increases the chances of constipation. So it is
best advised to limit the consumption of caffeine and alcohol.
5.
Drink warm water right after waking
up - drink a glass
of warm water right after you wake up, this will boost your digestive system as
well as immunity and will help you in having a proper bowel movement.
6.
Move your bowel whenever you feel the
urge - do not stop
or delay your bowel movement when you feel the need to move it. In some cases
it is the primary cause of constipation.
7.
Quit smoking - smoking interferes with your natural
urge to move the bowel. So when you stop smoking you may face the complications
of constipation, your body may take 5 to 6 days to adjust, but you will be fine
sooner than you think.
8.
Manage stress - stress can also cause constipation,
so you should start managing stress to avoid the disturbed bowel movements and
get rid of the complications of constipation.
Yoga therapy for constipation
Yoga is
considered as one of the most effective and safest forms of exercise for
increasing your physical activity and enhancing the functions of your internal
system. Yoga therapy for constipation will make your digestive tract efficient
and help you in having proper bowel movements. Yoga ensures a healthy
lifestyle, therefore it helps you in getting rid of the causes and complications
of constipation.
The bottom line
Constipation is
one of the most common lifestyle diseases. It is linked to the problems in your
digestive system. Constipation is usually caused due to the changes in your
diet and lifestyle and also due to an unhealthy lifestyle. Improving your
lifestyle will help you to prevent constipation and the complications that come
with it. Stay fit, eat better and have a healthy lifestyle to say goodbye to
constipation for good.