Constipation

Overview

Normally we can expect to have two to three bowel movements a day – or in some cases, one is quite natural too. But the inability to have a bowel movement is known as constipation and this can lead to a variety of diseases and illnesses as well as lethargy, depression, stress, anxiety, obesity, gas, insomnia, arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, reflux acid, bad breath, body odor, bad hair, skin and nails, and more. Constipation is a very common condition that affects people of all ages. It can mean that you are not passing stools (feces) as often as you normally do, you have to strain more than usual or you are unable to completely empty your bowels. Constipation can also cause your stools to be unusually hard, lumpy, large or small. The severity of constipation can vary greatly. Many people only experience constipation for a short period of time with no lasting effects on their health. For others, constipation can be a chronic (long-term) condition that causes significant pain and discomfort and affects quality of life.

Symptoms

Everyone has their own normal bowel habits, which can differ greatly from person to person. For example, some adults normally go to the toilet more than once a day, whereas others normally go only every three or four days. Babies and infants have several bowel movements a day, while others normally pass stools only a few times a week.

When you are constipated, you feel that passing stools has become more difficult than it used to be. It may feel more difficult for several reasons. For example, you may be going significantly less frequently or much less effectively (you feel you are unable to completely empty your bowel).

Passing stools may also seem more difficult because your stools are:

dry, hard and lumpy
abnormally large
abnormally small

As well as causing a change in your normal bowel habits, constipation can also cause the following symptoms:

stomach ache and cramps
feeling bloated
feeling nauseous
loss of appetite

As well as infrequent or irregular bowel movements, a child with constipation may also have the following signs and symptoms:

loss of appetite
lack of energy
being irritable, angry or unhappy
foul-smelling wind and stools
abdominal pain and discomfort
soiling their clothes
generally feeling unwell

If your child has these symptoms or has spoken to you about having difficulty passing stools, we recommend you consult a licensed health practitioner.

Causes

Constipation can occur in babies, children and adults, and affects twice as many women than men.

Older people are five times more likely than younger adults to have constipation, usually because of dietary factors, lack of exercise, use of medication and poor bowel habits.

Approximately 40% of pregnant women experience constipation during their pregnancy.

It can be caused by a number of reasons and it can be difficult to identify the exact cause. A common side effect to prescription and non-prescription drugs is constipation so firstly stop taking them! However, certain factors increase the risk of constipation, including:

not eating enough fiber, such as fruit, vegetables and cereals
a change in your routine or lifestyle, such as a change in your eating habits
ignoring the urge to pass stools
side effects of certain medication
not drinking enough fluids
anxiety or depression

Low thyroid function can lead to a sluggish digestive system, often resulting in gastro-intestinal problems.

In children, poor diet, fear about using the toilet and poor toilet training can all be responsible.

Do

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Diet

Switch to a diet high in fiber for example; whole-wheat grains, whole bran, beans, legumes and fresh organic fruit and vegetables. Flaxseeds can be beneficial.

Do not consume any artificial sweeteners, such as Splenda, NutraSweet or Aspartame
Do not consume high fructose corn syrup or mono-sodium glutamate.
Do not drink any carbonated beverages.
Avoid all fast food restaurants.
Avoid all canned food.
Eliminate conventional dairy products. The best dairy products are raw, unpasteurized and homogenized dairy from grass fed cows. If this is unavailable, then buy organic dairy.
Avoid conventional beef. The best beef is organic grass fed beef. www.grasslandbeef.com/StoreFront.bok?affld=104400 The second best is organic meat; this includes beef, veal, lamb, chicken and turkey.
Make 50 per cent of every meal fresh, raw and unprocessed.

Chew food carefully

Vary foods from day to day
Eat your largest meal at noon, do not go to sleep on a full stomach
Drink liquids before and after meals and not with them

Supplements:

Take Vitamin D3 50,000-100,000 International Units a day https:///
Wholefood supplements are the best way of ensuring your nutritional needs are met. The best we know on the market is Kevin Trudeau’s “KT Daily” product. You can find more details here kevintrudeaudailylifesessentials.com/
Senna and Cascara Sagrada are natural laxatives which are great at relieving temporary constipation
Digestive Enzymes www.qnhshop.com
Dr. Marshall’s HCL Activator www.qnhshop.com
Fiber Supplement www.qnhshop.com
Magnesium has been found to aid in the management of symptoms. Taking 200-300 mg of magnesium 2 to 3 times daily has been shown to help.
Omega-3 – This fish oil has been shown in many studies, to reduce your bad cholesterol levels and reduce plaque build-up in your blood. By reducing your bad cholesterol, you are helping your body to fight off stress and relieve anxiety, tension and even prevent heart disease. Fish that are high in Omega-3 are excellent ways to help your blood stream.

Prescription and non-prescription medication:

What non-prescription and prescription drugs are you taking? Your non-prescription and prescription are partially the reason that you have this illness or disease – you need to get off these medications, but do so only under the guidance of a licensed health care practitioner.

Mind

We know that when the body is out of balance, energy doesn’t flow, leading blockages and eventually disease. Here are some things you can do to combat stress and restore balance:

Go to a Dr. Morter BEST (Bio-Energetic Synchronisation Technique) Practitioner.
Sign up for Energetic Re-Balancing: 2 practitioners to consider are:
Stephen Lewis, founder of the Aim Program. Find out more by clicking here.
. Find out more by clicking here.
Consider using Mary Miller’s Iching System Products – ichingsystemsinstruments.com

Remedies

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Articles

Barley water and constipation: articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-09-07/drinks-corner/29895975_1_barley-insoluble-fiber-fitness

Eat well to beat constipation: m.timesofindia.com/PDATOI/articleshow/12565729.cms

Bananas and constipation: www.natural-health-remedies.net/bananas-and-constipation.html

Video

Natural health and constipation – www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbwcjFSjDss

Cure constipation with organic foods – www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubicLqg_Tz4

Abdominal massage: www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5VP5Jc6_1Q

Yoga for constipation: www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdw9-kyLX8U

How to treat the digestive system with reflexology: www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0gAV-hIIx0

Natural ayurvedic home remedies for constipation: www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPGoUHdM9sw

Research

Efficacy of Chinese Medicine in treating Constipation: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19958146

Pro-biotics for children with constipation: www.naturalnews.com/031690_probiotics_constipation.html

Constipation, a childhood problem: www.naturalnews.com/025178_health_natural_constipation.html

Further Information (links and books)

Healthy Digestion the Natural Way, Lindsey Berkson; The Best Constipation Remedies, Rudy Silva; Natural Relief From Constipation, Donna DiMarco; Herbs That Cure – Constipation, Prayank and Kavita Singh

Soaked prunes

www.sunorganic.com (888) 269-9888

Dr. Natura, Colonix Program

www.drnatura.com (800) 877-0414

Flax seed meal, Forti-Flax

www.renewlife.com (800) 445-3529

Flax seed meal, Fiber Smart

www.renewlife.com (800) 830-1800

Digestive enzymes, Univase

www.rockyforkformulas.com (800) 630-4534

Ginger, Primal Essence

www.primalessence.com (877) 774-6253