Constipation is defined as having a bowel movement fewer than three times per week. With constipation stools are usually hard, dry, small in size, and difficult to eliminate. Some people who are constipated find it painful to have a bowel movement and often experience straining, bloating, and the sensation of a full bowel.However, it means different things to different people. For some people, it simply means infrequent stools, while on the other hand for others, it means hard stools. The cause of each of these “types” of constipation probably is different.

Constipation is a symptom, not a disease. Almost everyone experiences constipation at some point in their life. Most constipation is temporary and not serious. It is produced due to indigestion .It is a common gastrointestinal condition

Common Causes of Constipation
• Inadequate water intake.
• Inadequate fiber in the diet.
• Medications.
• Irritable bowel syndrome.
• Problems with the colon and rectum.
• Problems with intestinal function
• Lack of exercise.
• Changes in life or routine such as pregnancy, older age, and travel.
• Abuse of laxatives.

Symptoms can include:
• Infrequent bowel movements and/or difficulty having bowel movements.
• Swollen abdomen or abdominal pain.
• Pain.
• Vomiting.
• Mouth ulcer
• Bad breath
• Nausea
• Headache
• Coated tongue
• Dullness on skin

HOME REMEDIES
• Carrot juice mixed with spinach juice gives immediate relief.
• 2-4 teaspoonfuls of castor oil
• Daily intake of guava empty stomach is also beneficial
• Drinking hot water with sour lime juice and half a teaspoon of salt
• Dates along with milk
• Half cup cabbage juice twice daily
• Add plenty of fruits, vegetables and salads in your diet
• Mix 2tsp of husk seed (isabgol) in half a cup of hot milk
• Ginger tea is also an effective measure
• Eat papaya before breakfast everyday
• A common Ayurvedic medicine Triphala Churna It is a powder made by grinding three kinds of herbs. A teaspoon of this powder taken with warm water or milk at the time going to bed is beneficial.
• The fruit of the bael(Aegle marmelos) is also an effective remedy

Now as you know all the causes, symtoms, and home remedies do not panic if you suffer from constipation. All the above remedies are effective but kindly consult your general physician before following any of them. You need to be a little cautious before following any of the above.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, September 2nd, 2008 at 6:19 am and is filed under Health. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.