Three Common Ways To Relieve Constipation
Constipation is something that has affected us all at some point or another. For some it’s an occasional problem, for others it’s more frequent, but many people deal with it everyday. Anyone who has had constipation or who suffers from it, knows it is one of the most uncomfortable, if not painful experiences you can have! It has been found that the modern day individual has the worst colon and intestine health since the beginning of humanity’s existence. The most common cause of constipation is consuming fast foods or foods that are refined and processed. These foods are too easy to grab on the go and we depend on them too often because of the busy lifestyle that we live, in today’s society. But there are simple and common ways to relieve constipation and improve the regularity of your bowel movements.
1. Eat Lots of Dietary Fiber
As much as we avoid, or just don’t make an effort to eat these types of foods, it is very important that we do. Fibrous foods are what help stimulate a healthy bowel movement, they pass through the colon very easily and help keep your colon free of waste build up. Dietary Fiber or (bulk forming laxatives), is taken in from the consumption of fruits and vegetables. Breads, cereals, rice and leafy green vegetables, just to name a few, are foods that are high in fiber that you can add to your daily diet. Increasing the amount of fruits and vegetables you eat and cutting back on fatty foods, such as meats and dairy products or foods that are refined and processed, like sweets and fast foods, will help to relieve constipation and improve bowel movements.
2. Drink Lots of Fluids
It is important to drink plenty of fluids, especially water, to hydrate your body so that your colon has enough moisture in it to pass a stool. Since moisture is needed to pass a stool, if the body is dehydrated from a lack of water, when the feces reaches the rectum, any moisture that is left, is absorbed by the rectum. This is what makes it hard to have a bowel movement because it causes you to strain to eliminate the waste. Drinking eight, six ounce glasses of water a day will help keep you hydrated and create moisture for your colon to pass a stool without straining. Avoid drinking too many caffeinated drinks or drinks high in sugar. And if water just doesn’t cut it for you, dilute a sports drink or your favorite juice with water to add flavor, but make sure that it’s diluted with mostly water.
3. Get Plenty of Exercise
People who don’t take care of themselves physically, tend to easily develop constipation because of the fact they are not involved in any sort of exercise. In fact, one of the very first recommendations for people who are constipated is exercise. Simply getting up and walking around will help get your bowels moving and quickly help relieve constipation. Start off simple with a walk through your neighborhood or an easy jog. Remember, some exercise is better than none at all. Exercising more keeps you looking younger and feeling healthier. As a result, you can fight diseases easier because you have a vibrant, healthy immune system.
If constipation is something you suffer from, then it’s probably from a lack of one of these three things just mentioned. And that is because we live such a busy lifestyle. But making small improvements in all or just one of these areas of your lifestyle, will help improve the way your bowels function, improve your bowel movements and relieve you of constipation. You will look and feel healthier, notice a change in your attitude and start to enjoy life more.
