What Causes Constipation?

Home Remedy Constipation Tips

What causes constipation? Find out what are the foods that cause constipation and use effective home remedy constipation tips.

Constipation is uncomfortable and unhealthy; most often it is a symptom of poor diet but it can also be a result of other health issues (for example, a side effect of surgery, childbirth or pregnancy, irritable bowel syndrome, and more). Constipation is typically defined as less than three bowel movements a week. It is a very common occurrence for many people.

The cause of constipation is typically in how your system digests food. Digested food and waste moves through the colon and is pushed through by muscle contractions. Water in the waste is absorbed by the colon; if the waste does not stay long enough in the colon or the colon does not absorb the water quickly enough the stool is watery (otherwise known as diarrhea). If there is not enough moisture in the food or waste, or not enough fiber in the food, the waste can become hard, dry and difficult to move through the colon. Additionally, if the colon absorbs too much water, it will slow down the colon's movement of waste through the system.

Common causes of constipation are:

• Not enough fiber in your diet;
• Not enough water in your diet;
• Reaction to certain foods: for example milk or dairy products, wheat products, and other allergic reactions;
• Some prescription medications can have a negative effect;
• Not taking the time to have a bowel movement;
• Pregnancy, childbirth, after effects of surgery, digestive issues, other health problems;
• Not enough physical exercise.

If you experience constipation on a regular basis, please discuss with your medical doctor. Your doctor will help you better understand what causes constipation in your digestive system and how to treat it.

Do try to take actions that will help: drink lots of water (8 glasses a day); eat lots of complex carbohydrates and fiber (e.g. vegetables); test for allergies; if you're taking medications, see what happens after ten days of finishing your prescription; and exercise regularly.

The best home remedy for constipation is to change your diet. A diet low in fiber and high in fats will often cause constipation. Eat between 20 to 35 grams of fiber daily. Fast foods and processed foods are typically low in fiber and high in fats (and often high in salt and/or sugar). Dairy products are often also high in fat and low in fiber.

Foods that can help constipation include: broccoli, carrots, cabbage, cauliflower, spinach, apples, blueberries, raspberries, whole grain cereal and oatmeal, legumes (such as black eyed peas, lima beans, etc.), nuts and more.

Constipation is uncomfortable and, if untreated and long-lasting, can cause serious health issues. The feeling of bloating, swelling, pain and nausea is not good and needs to be treated as soon as possible. Understand what causes constipation; and then treat the causes.

Be careful using commercial laxatives to treat constipation; laxatives can be highly dehydrating and create other problems. Old home remedies for constipation include whole prunes (or strained prunes); 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar OR lemon juice in a glass of water at least four times a day - add a teaspoon of honey for additional benefit.

Take Natural Moves for Natural Constipation Relief. Natural Moves helps support the natural peristaltic movement of the digestive tract and supports normal bowel movements day in and day out.

It’s also very effective at removing toxins and waste from the body. Most people have found that regular use of Natural Moves addresses chronic and occasional constipation and helps to get your digestive system back on a regular schedule.

Additional Reading:

• Digestive Health
• Digestive Anatomy
• Gall Bladder Cleanse
• Post Gall Bladder Surgery Diet
• Gall Bladder Disease Diet
• Healing Heartburn Holistically
• Heartburn Indigestion Symptoms
• Herbs for Digestion
• Natural Cure For Indigestion