Constipation - Definition, Causes and Natural Treatment

The discomfort in our stomach can make most of us feel cranky for the better part of the day. These discomforts can be caused by constipation.

What is constipation?

The definition of constipation can vary from person to person. That being said, most people describe it as having infrequent stools. Some folks may also define it as having hard stools or difficulty completely emptying the bowel.

Medical experts, on the other hand, define constipation as having fewer than three bowel movements in a week. If constipation is accompanied by disturbing symptoms such as abdominal pain, vomiting, nausea, rectal bleeding, and cramps, this may be caused by an underlying disorder that needs to be treated by a doctor.

What are the causes of constipation?

Medication: The side effects of prescription medications are sometimes sold short. Bowel discomforts can be a side effect of the prescription medication that you are taking, such as Codeine, Oxycodone, and Hydromorphone or antidepressants such as Imipramine and Amitriptyline. Taking iron supplements can also be a possible cause of constipation.

Poor diet: If your diet is lacking in fiber, you are more than likely to have chronic constipation. Fiber is an important element in keeping a soft stool. Incorporating fiber-rich foods such as fruits, veggies, and whole grains in your dietary regime can reduce the chances of having constipation.

Laxatives: Stimulant laxatives can also cause severe constipation. Stimulant laxatives can cause considerable damage to the nerves, muscles, and colon, and this can, in turn, cause constipation.

Hormonal Disorders: Raging hormones can also affect bowel movements. If there are too little hormones secreted by our thyroid and too much excretion of hormones by our parathyroid, this can lead to constipation. For severe cases of constipation, this may be caused by an underlying disease, especially those that affect the colon.

Habit: If a person makes it a habit of suppressing bowel movements, the body follows this pattern. It is normal to suppress bowel movement especially when there is no available bathroom, however, if this becomes a frequent occurrence it may result in constipation.

Natural Remedies for Constipation

To prevent constipation in the first place, make sure that you have a lot of fiber-rich food and water intake. There are also some over the counter medications that you can use to relieve constipation. If you want to take a more natural approach to treat constipation, you can also try using natural remedies for constipation.

Some natural remedies that are commonly used are:

Aloe Vera: The juice of Aloe Vera is a natural laxative

Dandelion: This herb, if taken in tincture form, can increase the flow of bile to our large intestine.

Ginger: By drinking ginger tea, you can help prevent muscle spasms from happening caused by constipation.

Milk Thistle: This powerful herb, just like a dandelion, can help distribute bile to our large intestine.

Before you use any natural or homeopathic remedy for constipation, consult with a practitioner of homeopathy in Ormond Beach.

Conclusion

Constipation will be a no-show if you have a healthier diet, and with natural remedies for constipation. You can perform to the best of your abilities without the discomfort brought about by constipation.

Francine Kanter, CCH, RsHom(NA), is Board Certified by the Council for Homeopathic Certification of North America, and has over 15 years of experience. She is also a member of NASH, North American Society of Homeopaths.