Constipation is a common health issue that can be difficult to manage. The frequency of evacuating the bowels characterizes it. Various home treatments can provide constipation relief. If home remedies for constipation do not help, over-the-counter and constipation medicine can be considered on prescription.
Constipation and its treatment
Constipation is a problem associated with the digestive system that makes your routine uncomfortable. The condition can be frustrating for people who have been having constipation for a long time, as it is time-consuming and even painful. Laxatives are effective remedies for constipation. Keeping your bowel movements regular is essential for a healthy digestive system.
Initial interventions include a healthy diet, intake of fluids, and physical activity. There is no single constipation treatment that works for all individuals since there are many factors that contribute to constipation and the cause of the digestive tract problem. Also, people respond differently to various treatments. Some patients need a combination treatment, which should be assessed regularly, and changes should be instigated if they fail to be effective.
Home treatments for constipation
If you are experiencing constipation, the following treatments help to provide immediate constipation relief at home:
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- Take a fiber supplement
Fiber supplements effectively induce bowel movements if a low-fiber diet contributes to constipation. These supplements help to add volume to your stool to help push it through your intestines and out of your body.
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- Have foods for constipation relief
Eating foods high in fiber helps to provide immediate constipation relief. High-fiber foods include oats, whole wheat pasta, whole grain bread or cereal, apples, bananas, brown rice, beans and lentils, split peas, and nuts (walnuts, almonds, pecans). It is also a good idea to avoid foods that could worsen constipation, such as meat, fast food, snacks, low-fiber chips, and frozen meals.
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- Drink a glass of water
It is important to hydrate yourself for proper bowel movements. Drink at least eight glasses of water daily. Drinking enough water is one of the natural remedies for constipation, and consuming a large glass of water may trigger bowel movement.
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- Take herbal laxative
Natural laxatives are extremely effective in providing immediate constipation relief, and adults and children can take them under the supervision of a healthcare provider. It stimulates the nerves in the gut and helps speed up bowel movements.
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- Eat probiotic foods or supplements.
Probiotic is the best remedy for constipation. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that naturally occur in the gut. They increase their levels by eating probiotic foods. Some individuals who suffer from chronic constipation have an imbalance of bacteria in their gut. Having more probiotics food could help improve this balance and is a natural constipation cure.
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- Drink caffeinated coffee
Consuming coffee can enhance the urge to go to the bathroom. Coffee stimulates the muscles in the digestive system. It contains a small amount of soluble fibers that are considered beneficial for providing natural constipation relief by improving the balance of gut bacteria.
Constipation treatment involves:
– Clearing any fecal impaction
– Use of laxatives depending on the response to treatment
– Adjusting the doses and frequency as required
– Use of combination laxatives and consideration of individual preferences
Laxatives
Five groups of laxatives have been used to treat constipation, namely fecal softeners, stimulants, bowel cleansing preparations, osmotic, and fecal softeners. Initially, a bulk-forming laxative should be given to treat constipation symptoms. If your stools remain hard even after treatment with a bulk-forming laxative, an osmotic laxative will be given along with a bulk-forming laxative.
Osmotic laxatives such as macrogol can be used, changing to lactulose if macrogol is not working or intolerable. A stimulant laxative should be given if your stools are soft, but you still have difficulty passing them.
Bulk-forming laxatives
Fiber supplements and dietary fibers work similarly in that they increase the bulk of the stool. Fiber supplements are made from natural plant extracts such as sterculia. Taking 1 to 2 sachets of the formulation regularly after meals with a glass of water is recommended. After the preparation, you may experience side effects like increased flatulence and bloating.
Elderly patients with decreased motility or intestinal narrowing should take this constipation remedy under the supervision of a health care specialist. One synthetic fiber used for constipation cure is methylcellulose, which works as a fecal softener to bulk the stools.
Stimulant laxatives
Using stimulant laxatives increases the constriction and relaxation of the intestinal muscles, creating repeated movements that push the canal’s contents forward. These laxatives also stimulate sensory nerve endings and interfere with electrolyte fluidity, hindering water absorption.
These constipation remedies act rapidly and are used in a single dose for temporary constipation, making your stool soft. Remember that long-term use of stimulant laxatives can decrease their effectiveness.
Fecal softeners
Fecal/Stool softeners are one of the remedies for constipation that exerts stimulant and softening actions. These are the constipation remedies that help prevent the hardening of feces. They work by adding water to the stools to lubricate and make it easier to pass through the anus.
Docusate is the main ingredient present in almost all fecal softeners. While preparations such as paraffin and Arachis oil do not have docusate as the active component.
Osmotic laxatives
These are the type of laxatives that increase the amount of water in the bowel either by drawing fluid from the body into the intestine or retaining the fluid that was taken with them. Osmotic laxatives can cause side effects such as nausea, abdominal bloating, and electrolyte imbalance.
One of the potent laxatives is magnesium sulfate, which is useful in generating liquid stools and abdominal distension.
The best way to treat constipation is to prevent it. You can provide constipation relief by using the above-mentioned constipation remedies. If your condition is severe, consult a healthcare specialist for a cure for constipation.
