The most common home remedy for constipation is the same home remedy for weight gain ? diet and exercise. Much constipation is caused by lack of physical exercise and poor diet. Every one should have 6-8 8 ounce glasses of liquid every day. The best liquid for preventing constipation and overall good health is water. 20-35 grams of dietary fiber each day is the American Dietetic Association?s adult recommendation. Good sources of fiber are fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
The recommended amount of fiber isn?t difficult to achieve. One small apple will supply an adult with three grams of fiber, while a half cup of peas will supply five grams. A bowl of bran cereal is good for 13 grams of fiber. The best fiber providers, and great home remedies for constipation are prunes, dried beans, raisins, popcorn, figs, pears, oatmeal and nuts.
Those who are trying to use these high fiber foods as a home remedy for constipation should do so gradually however. An overabundance of high fiber foods can cause very painful gas.
Any type of regular exercise is a great home (or gym) remedy for constipation. What keeps the heart in shape gets the bowels working well also. Walking is one of the best exercises for the prevention or cure of constipation.
Relieving tension at home is a remedy for constipation as well. Relaxation can loosen your bowels. When someone is frightened or tense their mouth dries up and their heart beat increases. Slow down and take it easy. This also causes the bowels to contract as well. A relaxing tape, a good book, a funny movie with a good friend ? these are some home remedies that can cure or prevent constipation, and are good for our overall mental, emotional and physical well being as well. Laughing is especially helpful, as it massages the intestines and this helps digestion.
Rather than resorting to harsh over the counter laxatives which can actually make bowels addicted to them and make the constipation worse, a home remedy is recommended by a physician. This doctor said that laxatives based on psyllium are costly. He advises that constipation sufferers concoct their own home remedy by going to a health food store and buying psyllium seeds. He said the patient should grind the seeds into two parts of psyllium, one part of oat bran and one part flax. These ingredients are mixed with water and eaten as a mash about 9pm each night.
Many medications can exacerbate or even cause constipation. The most common causes are antacids that have calcium or aluminum as one of their ingredients. Antihistamines can cause constipation as can drugs prescribed to combat Parkinson?s Diseases. Diuretics are well known as causes of constipation as are calcium supplements, narcotics, phenothazines, tricyclic antidepressant medications and sedatives.
Many home remedies for constipation are herbal. They are aloe juice, senna, cascara sagrada, medicinal rhubarb, root of dandelion and plaintain seeds. Of these the most effect is probably cascara sagrada. Overuse can be harmful, however, so approach these herbal home constipation remedies with care.
