Suffering from constipation? Here are five effective home remedies
Constipation is an incredibly common digestive problem. It can be caused by bad diet, unhealthy lifestyle choices, certain medications and diseases. It is characterized by considerably reduced bowel movement (ie. less than three bowel movements per week). Constipation is problematic. It could lead to discomfort when going to bathroom, abdominal bloating, and mild to severe pain. Here are five home remedies to treat constipation.
First of all, stay hydrated
Dehydration is one of the major causes of constipation. It obstructs in bowel movement, thus leading to constipation. Drinking plenty of water (at least 8-10 glasses a day) is crucial for healthy digestion.
Go for fiber
Think of fiber as a pipe cleaner. It will help scrub food and waste particles from your digestive tract and soak up water. Further, it adds bulk to your stool. This way, fiber aids in keeping food moving along. An intake of 20-35 grams fiber per day is recommended. Some fiber-filled food sources include bran cereals, beans, lentils, oatmeal, almonds, barley, vegetables and fruits.
Coffee
Coffee is known to stimulate colon and increase your number of bathroom trips. Other hot drinks such as herbal tea, hot lemon water, or honey also work wonders to stimulate colon and treat constipation. However, coffee is a diuretic- so make sure to keep drinking enough water or your constipation might become worse.
Lemon water
The citric acid in lemon juice works as a stimulant for your digestive system and helps flush out toxins from your body, thus relieving constipation. Add fresh lemon juice to a glass of water and sip every morning. You can also add lemon juice to your morning cup of tea. Lemon water will not only improve constipation, but also your long-term digestive health.
Castor oil
Castor oil is another great home remedy to treat constipation. The components in the castor oil break down into a substance that help stimulate your large and small intestines, thus improving bowel movement, and ultimately helping you get rid of constipation. Take one or two teaspoons of castor oil on an empty stomach and start witnessing results.
#5: Exercise
Regular exercise will improve your bowel movement. If you end up taking a large meal, move around or take a walk to ease the process of digestion. A sedentary lifestyle is an undue invitation for constipation. So, become active, today!
