The functioning of the gastrointestinal tract affects the overall condition of the human body. If there is no normal bowel movement for two days or more, constipation can be suspected.
If constipation occurs frequently, it is necessary to change dietary habits, undergo examinations to rule out serious conditions (such as colorectal cancer, intestinal obstruction, etc.), and determine the cause of constipation (mechanical obstacles, atonic constipation due to poor peristalsis, spasmodic constipation due to nervous disorders, smoking, and poisoning).
Treatment of constipation at home is possible in cases of atonic and spasmodic conditions, as mechanical obstacles should be eliminated through other means.
General recommendations for constipation:
If you suffer from chronic constipation, pay attention to your diet: it should be rich in fiber, so your daily menu should include various cereals, especially oatmeal and buckwheat. However, it is advisable to limit or completely exclude rice and semolina porridge, especially for children and the elderly.
Bran contains a lot of fiber, so bran bread is recommended for constipation, or you can add ordinary bran to your food, which can be purchased at the pharmacy.
Vegetables and fruits are rich in fiber, so they should be part of your daily diet, and it is preferable to consume them at every meal.
Replace cream and sour cream with vegetable oil whenever possible, preferably unrefined.
If constipation is caused by weak muscles, it is necessary to strengthen them with abdominal exercises.
It is essential to drink plenty of clean water, which is necessary for the proper functioning of all systems and organs of our body. Scientists recommend drinking at least 8-10 glasses of plain water daily, regardless of the fluid consumed in other products.
A good example of fluid intake can be borrowed from cats, which constantly drink clean water, and if you don’t give them water in a separate bowl, they will surely drink from any container or tap.
Smokers should get rid of their addiction. Alcohol consumption should also be minimized, as alcoholic beverages contribute to constipation.
However, resorting to enemas and laxatives sold in pharmacies should not be done frequently. They should only be used in extreme cases.
Treatment of occasional constipation:
In cases where constipation is not chronic but caused by certain factors, such as taking strong drugs during diarrhea, pregnancy, newborns, poisoning, psychological trauma, or prolonged travel, the following measures can be taken to alleviate the condition.
For adults, except pregnant women, drinking 2 glasses of cold water with ½ teaspoon of baking soda on an empty stomach in the morning can be beneficial.
For everyone, except newborns, eating 1-2 unpeeled apples on an empty stomach is a very good remedy. Before bed, you can drink a cup of warm rosehip tea. Eat 2 oranges or grapefruits per day. Consuming onions and wheat bran in your diet is also helpful. Vegetable stew is an excellent remedy for constipation.
Massage of the baby’s abdomen clockwise, warm diapers placed on the stomach, and irritation of the anal opening with a piece of baby soap can help newborns with constipation.
Treatment of chronic constipation with folk remedies
Treating constipation at home involves:
Regular exercise, including exercises for the abdominal muscles.
Abdominal massage, which should be done every morning while lying in bed: start with circular motions from the navel clockwise, then from bottom to top, gently pressing on the massaged area with the palm.
Oil and herbal enemas, recommended once a week at night.
Drinking an adequate amount of water.
Colon cleansing with enemas 1-2 times a month.
Taking various decoctions and infusions.
Traditional medicine has developed numerous effective remedies for treating constipation, proven over time. Here are some of the most reliable folk recipes:
Flaxseed decoction: Take 1 teaspoon of seeds, pour 1 cup of boiling water, and simmer for 30 minutes in a water bath. Then add boiled water to make a cup, cover, and let it cool completely. Drink the infusion with the seeds half a cup at night. Prolonged use of this remedy is not recommended. It is contraindicated for those with cholecystitis and keratitis.
A glass of kefir with a dessert spoon of vegetable oil drunk at night is a very effective remedy.
Drinking a glass of cold water with a teaspoon of honey dissolved in it on an empty stomach in the morning.
Drinking compotes made from dried fruits such as apples, prunes, cherries, and dried apricots is beneficial for chronic constipation.
Eating several dried prunes or apricots on an empty stomach is helpful for chronic constipation. A decoction of these dried fruits taken on an empty stomach is also effective.
Carrot juice is an excellent remedy for constipation, especially for children with chronic constipation.
Potato juice, spinach juice, celery juice, and beet juice have good laxative properties. They can be taken separately or mixed together. Adding carrot juice to them is also beneficial.
Cucumber brine, where cucumbers have been soaking for at least a month, is effective for constipation. However, this brine should not contain any spices except salt.
Common beetroot is an excellent remedy for chronic constipation. It can be consumed either separately or with other vegetables, which also have a positive effect on intestinal peristalsis.
Onions promote bowel movements, so they should be included in your diet as much as possible.
Decoctions made from anise seeds, caraway seeds, and dill seeds are effective remedies for constipation. These decoctions can be prepared separately from each seed or using them in a mixture.
A tincture made from senna leaves, fennel seeds, hawthorn berries, hawthorn bark, sea buckthorn seeds, common yarrow herb, false hellebore root, and many others is an excellent remedy for constipation. All these herbs can be purchased at the pharmacy, and the method of preparation for each is indicated on the package.
It is essential to be patient and consistent when using folk remedies for constipation, maintain a regular diet, alternate different folk remedies, lead an active lifestyle, and periodically cleanse your body. Remember, your health is in your hands!
