Basically our bodies need to sweat in order to regulate the temperatures inside and cool it down. However, when your Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) together with your Sympathetic Chain gets hyperactive, that’s when you start to sweat uncontrollably. But when you get excessive perspiration for no obvious reasons, especially when you’re somewhere around 40 years old, then you may have secondary hyperhidrosis.

Causes of Profuse Sweating

Heredity – A lot of the medical professionals agree that sweating is the work of your genes. So if any of your folks are sweating a lot then there’s a big chance that you’ll also end up like them.

Puberty and menopause – I started sweating a lot when I was a teenager. A lot of changes are going to happen inside your body when you reach a certain age. Women can also suffer from excessive sweating when they reach their menopause.

Abnormal functions of the nerves, spinal cord and the brain – Sweat glands are all over our bodies and if our nerves fail to work then it could send out a wrong signal causing us to perspire more. Our spinal cord is a very vital part of our nervous system and you can get hyperhidrosis if it has any tumors. Perspiration is also handled by the hypothalamus which is a part of the brain that that takes care of our hunger and thirst. It also manages the level of temperatures inside our bodies. If our brain didn’t function well then it will cause our body to sweat abnormally.

Other causes of excessive sweating include obesity, reaction to certain foods, hot weather and hard physical activities.

Ways to Reduce Profuse Sweating

There are so many ways that you can use to reduce your sweating. It’s important to remember that there is no real cure that will stop hyperhidrosis like a faucet. But there are natural methods that will permanently control your excessive sweating. Some of the popular ways to reduce sweating is outlined below:

Antiperspirants – This is the simplest products and often the first option that you would apply to reduce your sweating.

Diet Change – Sometimes a simple adjustment in your diet can make a world of difference to your sweating issues.

Herbs – Taking herbs are very effective in reducing the amount of sweat you produce. One very good thing about taking herbs is that there’s no side effects that can affect your body.

Iontophoresis – This works by applying an electrical charge to your hands and feet. A session can cost around $30 but will cost you around $700 if you decide to buy one. However, there’s a tutorial online where you can make a homemade Iontophoresis machine.

Surgery – This works by either clamping or cutting and burning your sweat glands to stop producing sweat. Consider taking an ETS surgery as your last option.

Are you starting to develop anxiety because of your sweating and bad odor? There are just 4 simple steps to stop excessive sweating within a few weeks without any drugs or surgery! Get your FREE guide on proven treatments using natural ways to stop sweating that worked for me and for thousands of sufferers.

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For starters there are two temporomandibular jaw joints, one in front of each ear and they connect the lower jaw (mandible) to the bone at the side of the head (temporal bone). The joint has muscles to allow the jaw to open and close which makes it flexible and capable of both sliding action and hinging action. It is this flexibility that allows a person to perform certain functions such as yawning, talking, making facial expressions and chewing food. It is the same ability however that makes the temporomandibular joint of the most complicated joints in the body.

Because the temporomandibular joint is so complicated and it has such a wide spectrum of symptoms, it has been hard for researchers to pinpoint exactly how it appears in some patients while not in others.

TMJ has been known to sporadically worsen and then ease over time with no known reasons why. Most patients will only have mild versions of this disorder that may disappear spontaneously within weeks or months while other patients will have long term, persistent and debilitating pain.

Although the causes are still being investigated, injuries that cause trauma to the jaw such as a dislocated disc or a dislocated jaw have been known to cause this condition.

While trauma is one known cause there are still many other misconceptions that exist to try and explain how TMJ strikes. Some common misconceptions that still persist include the belief that this is caused by jaw clicking, tooth grinding, a bad bite or even braces. However none of these conditions have been scientifically proven in research studies.

The most common symptoms for patients who suffer from this condition will be to experience pain in the jaw muscles and lower jaw when chewing. Other common symptoms include; radiating pain in the face, jaw or neck, stiffness in the jaw muscle, and limited movement or a locking jaw.

Some symptoms have been confused with causing the disorder instead of being its symptoms, such as a clicking or popping in the jaw or a change in the way the upper and lower teeth fit together.

Since TMJ can present with such a wide spectrum of symptoms with various levels of pain and duration, it has been difficult to fully understand and solve this mysterious condition. Currently it is recommend that patients who believe they may suffer from TMJ to remain under the care of a doctor to monitor their condition and to work with them to develop a treatment plan for the pain.

For residents of st louis tmj syndrome is now treated by professionals who know the solutions for your joint. You can rid yourself of pain and embarrassment and live a secure life. To know more, visit http://www.tmjrelief.net/.

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The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) agrees with the Mayo Clinic and has changed their diverticulitis diet recommendations. They also stress the importance of fiber, advising that any patient diagnosed with diverticulitis should aim to consume 25 to 30 grams of fiber every day. They also advise drinking eight cups of fluid per day to help keep the colon lubricated and stools soft enough to avoid irritating the patient’s already inflamed digestive system.

Ditch the Old Diet

For many years, doctors and gastroenterologists had been advising patients with either diverticulitis or its milder form, diverticulosis, to avoid small, hard foods like nuts, seeds, corn or popcorn. At the time it was thought that these small, hard objects could rub, irritate or even become lodged in the inflamed intestinal tract. Now, after numerous clinical tests, no evidence has shown that seeds, nuts, corn or popcorn harm the patient’s digestive system.

One of the most influential clinical studies was published in the prestigious medical magazine, ‘JAMA: Journal of the American Medical Association’. This massive study, ‘ Nut, Corn, and Popcorn Consumption and the Incidence of Diverticular Disease’; Lisa L. Strate, et al.; JAMA; 27 Aug. 2008), followed thousands men with and without diverticulitis for 18 years. Those that consumed nuts, corn and popcorn had a 20% greater change of avoiding diverticulitis attacks as compared with men that ate the more traditional diverticulitis diet.

What Is Diverticulitis?

Diverticulitis is one of the most common diseases of the colon in individuals over the age of 40. In America, it is estimated that two thirds of the country’s population will develop diverticulitis by the time they are 85. Symptoms include sudden debilitating intestinal cramps, nausea, chills, fever and either constipation or diarrhea. The pain comes and goes in periodic attacks. When a diverticulitis attack ends, this may give the patient a false impression that they will no longer experience issues with their bowels; however, any patient with these symptoms should see a physician as soon as possible.

Along the digestive tract are marble-sized pockets that have developed because of weak spots in the bowel. The area bulges in an effort to compensate for the weakness. These pockets are called diverticula. A single pocket is called a diverticulum in the Latin tradition of spelling singular nouns. Over time, these diverticula become periodically inflamed, which causes painful diverticulitis attacks. Unfortunately, it is unknown why diverticula develop and how they become inflamed. The best that the medical community can do is to diagnose the condition and hope the patient can prevent future attacks through diet and exercise. If left untreated, the patient may need surgery to remove the diverticula.

Not the Same as Diverticulosis

Diverticulitis is far more serious than diverticulosis. Because of the name similarities, many patients confuse the two conditions. Diverticulosis symptoms are very mild in comparison to diverticulitis. Often, the symptoms of intestinal wind, bloating and constipation resemble that of a common intestinal gas attack. Not all patients with diverticulosis experience these mild symptoms. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NDDIC) reports that it is common for diverticulosis patients to feel absolutely no symptoms.

Although they exhibit different symptoms, both digestive conditions can be treated with diet and exercise. Because diverticulosis does not cause the intense pain, fever and nausea characteristic of diverticulitis, many patients choose to ignore their diverticulosis symptoms until the condition has progressed into diverticula disease (diverticulitis). Theoretically, diverticulosis can be slowed down or treated so that it does not progress into diverticulitis, but patients rarely go to the doctor for treatment of the comparatively mild symptoms.

The Exercise Component

Major medical institutions like the Mayo Clinic and USCF agree that high-fiber and high liquid intake is not sufficient to prevent diverticulitis attacks. Regular exercise has also been proven to help the digestive system function more smoothly and to prevent constipation which can add to the pain of diverticulitis attacks.

Regular exercise does not have to be particularly complicated or vigorous. Even walking for thirty minutes at a time five times a week is thought to be sufficient for good intestinal health. Before embarking on any exercise program, all patients are advised to talk to their doctors to see what exercises will work best for their individual health needs and weight loss and fitness goals.

During Attacks

USCF reports that until the high fiber diet and exercise regimen takes effect, diverticulitis attacks will continue to occur. To help patients navigate through these difficult times, USCF recommends that patients begin with a liquid diet until their doctors tell them to move to a diet of soft, bland foods. Liquid diets include water, clear fruit juices without pulp, herbal tea, broth, popsicles or water-based frozen treats and gelatin.

Because the bowels have undergone severe strain, avoid high fiber-foods until advised by a doctor. It usually takes about two to five days for the bowels to recover sufficiently to begin acclimating to high fiber foods again. Soft, bland foods low in fiber includes eggs, dairy products, cooked vegetables, white rice and pasta made from eggs or white flour.

Conclusion
The causes of diverticulosis and its more severe form, diverticulitis, are mysterious, but the symptoms can be successfully managed through diets high in fiber and hydrating fluids. Patients can consume nuts, seeds, corn or popcorn or products made with same to address their daily fiber intake of 25-30 grams per day. Patients also need to undertake regular exercise to maintain smooth bowel functionality and prevent constipation.

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Despite the fact that this can happen to the best of us, it doesn’t mean you should plunge the orb all in all when it comes to staying fit. What people have to realize is that staying active and eating right food are important for long term health, wellness and that a bit of preclusion is worth a pound of cure.

The accurate principle of exercise is to drive a rhythmic communication to the body asking for enhancement in strength, metabolism, aerobic power and overall fitness and health. Every time you exercise, your body responds by advancing its capabilities to burn fat throughout the day and night, Exercise doesn’t have to be forceful to work for you, but it does need to be constant.

The further you know about how your body responds to your lifestyle choices, the better you can adapt a diet and exercise plan that is right for you. When you eat well, increase your level of physical activity, and exercise at the appropriate intensity, you are informing your body that you want to burn up a large amount of fuel. This translates to burning fat more efficiently for energy.

In other words, proper eating habits plus exercise equals fast metabolism, which, in turn gives you more energy throughout the day and allows you to do more physical work with less effort.

Once you create an obligation to work out numerous times a week, you must also change your eating habits or dietary plan.

Easy-to-follow guiding principles:

* Eat frequent small meals throughout the day.
* Balanced your meal with integrated proteins such as (poultry meats, eggs, dairy products and fish), carbohydrates like rice, pasta, cereal, wheat bread and potatoes), fruits and vegetables.
* Limit your fat intake
* Drink at least 5-8 glasses of water daily.
* Vitamins ADEK

It is likely to boost health and wellness with vitamin supplements if you maintain an eye on your recommended daily allowance. Vitamins are essential to your body for proper health and fitness. Vitamins are chemicals that have been identified as being essential to human life.

Engage in regular exercise three to four times for a week for 20 to 30 minutes, most specifically cardiovascular exercises. This balanced approach provides a one-two strike, incorporating aerobic exercise to burn up fat and transport more oxygen and resistance to increase lean body mass and burn more calories around the block. When starting an exercise plan, it is important to have practical outlook.

Exercises that might work for you:

• walk/ hiking
• cycling
• seat-ups
• jog
• Muscle stretching
• Deep breathing
• Meditation or yoga

We deserve to have a happy and healthy life. Enjoy!

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shelby_Wood

Heartburn usually has a warm, burning sensation coming up from the stomach and settling around the chest area.

These acid reflux symptoms are quite common after a big meal and may be exacerbated when prone but can be alleviated with a change in diet and lifestyle.

For example, you might spread your meals throughout the day and have five or six smaller meals rather than three large ones. Regrettably, if you’re a smoker, you will have to quit; and the sooner the better.

What causes acid reflux disease is acid leaking back into the tube – the esophagus – running from the throat to the stomach. There are many over the counter medicines which may counteract this condition and some acid reflux remedies using natural solutions.

However, extreme cases can require some surgery to alleviate the problem. In any case repetitive attacks may well weaken the lining of the esophagus causing additional problems.

Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common problem throughout the developed world and is one of the primary origins of heartburn and indigestion. In fact, some studies go so far as to suggest that one fifth of the adult population suffer acid reflux about once or twice a week.

Usually gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) is diagnosed quite quickly, easily and painlessly by your normal doctor although occasionally the doctor may require a confirmatory test such as an endoscopy. What this means is that a small camera slides down your throat for an inspection.

In most cases, gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) can be diagnosed by your doctor asking about your acid reflux symptoms. Additional testing is rarely needed although there are a few tests that may confirm GERD.

One such is an endoscopy where the inside of your body is directly examined using a device known as an endoscope. An endoscope is a thin tube attached to a camera, so that the inside of your body can be seen on a computer style screen.

If you are comfortable with this procedure it is not necessary to give you any drugs. However, if you are somewhat sensitive around the mouth and throat it is likely you will be given a tranquilizer to relax you. Occasionally, an endoscopy will throw up other problems such as damage to the stomach walls, a hiatus hernia or, in extreme cases, stomach cancer.

Alternatively an endoscopy will draw a blank and, in fact, up to around 25% of the time there will be no evidence of any significant problem in spite of the usual symptoms. This condition is called ENRD or technically endoscopy-negative reflux disease.

So, if you get the tell-tale signs of a burning sensation in the chest and/or a bitter acidic taste it’s well worthwhile having a chat with your doctor about acid reflux symptoms.

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Acid reflux natural remedies in 10 days are possible when you accept you don’t have to suffer. Use a natural cure for acid reflux and you’ll save pots of money on OTC solutions here.

Like all clothes, scrubs vary tremendously in style, quality, and price. Let’s take a look at some of the leading brands of surgical scrubs on the market today.

Cherokee

Already famous in the fashion world, Cherokee created its Cherokee Uniforms division to lend its expertise in comfort and style to the medical industry. In 2003, the company proved its dedication to the field by holding the first annual Inspired Comfort Award contest, which recognizes medical professionals and nurses and continues to exist today. Cherokee has a number of different lines of medical scrubs, including:

Cherokee Body: Known for its fun patterns, bright-colored prints, and super-soft comfort, the body line is a must-have, featuring such styles as split neck, crossover, and cinch-waist tops.

Cherokee Basics: Sometimes all you need is a no frills classic v-neck, and Cherokee provides the same in this unisex collection offering cheap scrubs in up to 20 colors!

Cherokee Flexibles: Available in a variety of fun colors, the Flexibles collection is manufactured for maximum movement with special panels designed to make you look slimmer.

Cherokee Studio: You’ll have the whole office (or hospital) checking out your surgical scrubs after investing in this trend-setting group of products.

Cherokee Studio B: For a set of medical scrubs that look straight out of the boutique, it doesn’t get any better than Studio B.

Cherokee Studio H.Q.: Live a little! Medical professionals love these whimsical patterns featuring animals and other friendly shapes.

Tooniforms: Whether you prefer Paul Frank, Betty Boop, or Garfield, the Tooniforms line is sure to put a smile on your face.

Touch by Cherokee: For scrubs that are softer than soft, choose the super tops and pants from Cherokee’s Touch surgical scrubs.

Cherokee Workwear: Resistant to stains and fashion faux pas alike, Workwear medical scrubs feature innovative cardigans and cargo pants, in addition to classic styles of tops and pants.

Barco

Manufacturing tons of medical scrubs and accessories, Barco is a true industry leader with years of experience creating uniforms for a variety of professions. The brand even has a Greys Anatomy collection inspired by the hit show on ABC! Barco’s lines include:

Elan: For innovative, mature prints and flattering wrap, mock wrap, and kimono styles, medical professionals love Barco’s Elan surgical scrubs.

Greys Anatomy: Whether you’re a fan of the show or not, it’s hard to deny the fashion, comfort, and versatility of Greys Anatomy scrubs, including missy, junior, and maternity sizes.

NRG: If you’re looking to hit the gym or even save a life or two, the movement-friendly NRG surgical scrubs are the way to go.

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When your life is so full it is easy to forget to care of yourself. Your health suffers and you lose your zest and zing for living. Learning to take time to care and nurture your mind, body and soul is essential if you wish to stay on top of all the tasks and projects you do in a day.

Below are 12 simple tips which you can try to help you rest, boost your energy and keep you in the flow. Practice at least one of them each day.

12 Easy Tips to Rest and Boost Your Energy

1. Play a board game with your children or friends. Games like Monopoly, Frustration and Hangman are marvelous ways to relax and take your mind off your everyday difficulties and also mean you spend time relaxing with your children.

2. Do a jigsaw puzzle. Again, with friends or even by yourself. You gain a tremendous amount of satisfaction as you see the puzzle taking shape.

3. Listen to music. Whether you are a die-hard rock chick or savvy classical connoisseur, music has the power to re-energize and revitalize your tired body and jaded mind. Lie down on your bed and listen to your favorite tunes.

4. Dance. Put on your favorite CD or iPod, turn up your speakers and dance. Shake your legs, rock your booty, rock your head… just shake and move your body. You will end up laughing and being happy.

5. Draw a picture or if drawing isn’t your thing, observe a favorite birthday card/work of art and lose yourself in the beauty and magic of the images.

6. Color a mandala. A mandala is a circular image which represents wholeness and can be seen as a model for the organizational structure of life itself. As you color in the mandala, especially the more intricate mandalas, your mind calms down and your body relaxes.

7. Have an aromatic bath. Sprinkle a few drops of lavender, rose and ylang ylang aromatherapy oil in your water. Light a few scented candles then lie back and just soak up the goodness and healing qualities of the oils.

8. Sleep. Sleep enables the body and mind to rest, repair and rejuvenate. To help you sleep well, read a book or practice a few yoga stretches or breathing exercises before you retire for the night.

9. Prepare a meal. Cooking is an art. Take your time and cook a meal that is healthy and nutritious. Choose foods which are natural, unprocessed and where possible include a colorful bowl of salad.

10. Drink lots of water throughout your day. If like me, you prefer warm drinks, then sip cups of hot water with a slice of lemon in throughout the day. This helps to hydrate your body, cleanse the liver and flush out your kidneys.

11. Focus on inner stillness. In the midst of chaos and disorganization there is stillness and calm. To find this place within yourself, close your eyes and imagine a candle glowing bright within your heart. Hold onto this image and feel the warmth from this candle flowing through your body, through your veins and nestling deep inside your soul.

12. Walk through a labyrinth (similar to a maze). As you travel through to the center, your mind clears, at each turn imagine yourself letting go of whatever is bothering you.

As you can see, some of these tips may require a wee bit more effort on your part. However, if you can try and make time in your day to include one of these energy boosting and life affirming activities, you will be rewarded with a greater sense of control and balance in your home-work life.

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If you are sick:

· Take the time you need to get better. Teachers often rush back to work as soon as possible. And while you don’t want to take unnecessary time off you do need to recuperate. If you don’t get the proper rest you can end up with a relapse.

· If you keep getting sick or can’t seem to recover make sure you get check out. It could be something simple but you won’t know unless you visit a doctor.

· Let others help. Let others know you are sick and that you may need help. Letting your students know you are not feeling well can actually make them more apt to be sympathetic. Let friends, family and fellow teachers carry some of the work load. Let your neighbor bring chicken soup. Enjoy being pampered a bit.

· Don’t go back to work or overdue it until you are recovered. Your classroom really won’t fall apart if you are not there. Take your time and don’t overdo on anything you don’t have too.

If someone else is sick:

· Be willing to help out when others are sick. If it’s a fellow teacher take them chicken soup. Little things make the difference and people do remember the little things.

· If it is a student who is sick give them a break. No one is as patient or tolerant when they are sick as they are normally. If someone is not acting like they normally would cut them some slack. They may not be feeling good. Remember how you feel when you are sick and treat them like you would like to be.

· Encourage the person to take the time to get the rest they need to recover. If they come back to school or work before they are healed it will only mean setbacks. And if the person is contagious, even if they feel well, encourage them to stay home and not to spread the sickness any further.

It doesn’t matter if you are the picture of health at some point in time you will get sick and need time to relax and heal. And you will have to deal with sick students or coworkers at some point too. Schools are notorious for illness spreading through them like wild fire. Taking care of yourself and helping take care of others is the right thing to do, so be sure to get your annual flu shot and H1N1 vaccination as well. As teachers we need all the support we can get!

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To get rid of hemorrhoids let’s consider it a two step process. First, I understand that you want to get hemorrhoid relief from the burning, pain, and itching immediately. And second, you want to actually heal hemorrhoids. You want them to shrink and go away permanently.

There are various creams and ointments available at your local drug store, which can bring you temporary hemorrhoid relief of the symptoms. Some contain ingredients to help shrink the hemorrhoid as well as analgesics to soothe the burning and itching.

There are small basins called sitz baths available at leading medical stores. This is a small tub and is specially designed to allow the soaking of hemorrhoids without taking a bath. In this process you soak your bottom in hot water for 15 to 20 minutes 3 or 4 times a day. Not only does this helps make you feel better some believe that it can also help shrink your hemorrhoids.

Conversely, sometimes applying an ice pack to the painful area can bring temporary hemorrhoids relief. So can soothing it with witch hazel or aloe vera gel. There are several herbal remedies that have brought others hemorrhoid relief for centuries, such as Japanese pagoda tree, horse chestnut, and butcher’s broom extract.

It is very important that you don’t get constipated. So be sure to drink lots of water. Start your day with a cup of hot water with lemon and just a pinch of cayenne. This is an old-fashioned natural remedy for constipation. And make sure your diet includes lots of fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Avoiding the “white” foods such as sugar, salt, and white flour, is a good rule for anyone, but is especially important for anyone trying to get rid of hemorrhoids.

As a last resort, there are several different surgical hemorrhoid treatment options that will get rid of hemorrhoids, at least for a while. With laser coagulation the hemorrhoid is clotted with an electric probe which makes it shrink. Infrared photocoagulation applies an electric current to the hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoidectomy is complete surgical removal of the hemorrhoid with a scalpel or laser. With rubberband ligation a small rubber band is placed at the base of the internal hemorrhoid, causing it to fall off.

Unfortunately, you can’t fool Mother Nature, as they say. It is not at all unusual for hemorrhoids to return after surgery because the underlying issues haven’t been addressed. So if you want to get rid of hemorrhoids permanently, consider making some lifestyle changes instead. You will have the extra side benefit of getting healthier, too.

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Constipation is the word we use when there is real difficulty in passing stools, especially when the stools tend to be very hard. They can appear to be small, almost like rabbit droppings, or large. Bloating of the stomach sometimes accompanies constipation which causes the sufferer further discomfort.

A condition which most people occasionally experience can turn into a major difficulty for those who have to frequently encounter it. This, of course, can be both embarrassing and truly painful for the person experiencing it. Affecting women more than men, constipation is also common in the elderly.

Causes

Lifestyle plays a major part in causing constipation. It truly is necessary to eat a healthy and varied diet and to exercise on a regular basis. Movement and activity aids in stimulating the bowels, as does eating a sufficient amount of fibre.

Lack of liquid intake.

Half a dozen coffees and an alcoholic drink is not as beneficial as a pint or two of ordinary water. In fact, both coffee and alcohol have a dehydrating affect on the body, which in itself can aggravate or cause constipation.

Medication can also be a cause of constipation. If you suspect this could be the reason for your constipation, then talk to your doctor or health advisor.

Stress and anxiety are other important factors. If you are experiencing constipation, make sure that it isn’t being caused by a stressful lifestyle. Simply ignoring the need to go to the toilet is another factor that should not be overlooked.

Certain serious medical conditions which affect the colon and rectum may also cause constipation.

If you have ruled out the above, and if your bowel movements have seriously changed, then visit your doctor as soon as possible. There really is no need for embarrassment.

In addition to these possible causes of constipation, there are also a number of long term illnesses and conditions that could be triggering it.

Again, check with your doctor in order to eliminate underlying medical issues.

Self Help

Check out your lifestyle.

- Are you getting enough exercise? Taking a brisk twenty minute walk each day can be really beneficial

- Are you eating the right foods? The body has a need for fibre on a regular basis in order to maintain regularity. Today’s highly processed foods simply compound, and in many cases, may even be the cause of constipation.

Be sure to eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables so as to ensure that you are getting the right amount of fibre in your diet.

Magnesium has been shown to soften stools, thereby easing constipation. Foods high in magnesium are buckwheat flour, spinach, almonds and pumpkin seeds.

Folic acid deficiency is also a known cause of constipation. Foods high in folic acid are spinach, sprouts, broccoli, and green beans.

Why not try substituting roast root vegetables for regular potatoes, french fries etc. Whole grain rice or wheat provides both fibre and essential vitamins. A mix of roasted diced sweet potato, swede, squash, onion etc can work wonders and taste delicious

- Are you drinking enough water? It doesn’t have to be cold. Lots of people enjoy a mug of boiled hot water, perhaps flavored with a herbal tea bag such as mint or chamomile. Make sure you drink at least 8 glasses of water a day

- Are you regularly visiting the toilet when you need to – or are you delaying this because its simply inconvenient?

Keep in mind that everyone experiences constipation from time to time and as such, it is normal. If you have been experiencing constipation for more than two weeks, however, then you would be well advised to consult your doctor or health advisor in order to eliminate any serious underlying causes.

Treatment

Fruit such as figs and prunes – or syrups and preparations containing these – can be extremely effective in treating constipation.

Short term treatment may include mild laxatives taken daily for a brief period of time. These are particularly helpful for those convalescing from surgery or for the elderly. Generally in a liquid form, some of these merely give the stools a coating which allows them to be passed easier.

Consult your doctor or pharmacist as to which laxatives are most appropriate for you.

The above aids are readily available over the counter at your local pharmacists, however, if you are buying laxatives in this manner frequently, it indicates that you really do need to see a doctor and get your condition sorted out medically.

A doctor is able to prescribe various types of laxatives or other treatment which are specific to different forms of constipation.

For hard and impacted stools which have accumulated in the bowel, suppositiories or enemas may be called for. Again, these should be used with advice from a health professional.

A doctor may conduct numerous tests and examinations because certain serious conditions – such as tumors – can be masked by constipation.

Babies and Children

This article refers to constipation in adults. For concerns over babies and young children with constipation please consult a health visitor or doctor as soon as you can.

IMPORTANT: This information is not a replacement for proper medical or nutritional advice. Be sure to consult your doctor or health care advisor if you are experiencing any signs or symptoms of constipation for any length of time.

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