Are You Suffering From Chronic Constipation?

Embarrassing as it may be, we have all suffered from constipation at one time in our life or another. According to the National Health Interview Survey as many as 3 million Americans suffer from frequent if not chronic constipation. While constipation is not recognized as a degenerative disease or serious disorder, people who are constipated often feel bloated, uncomfortable and even sluggish. Constipation by itself is miserable enough, but sufferers often experience painful bowel movements that can become compounded by hemorrhoids that form due to straining.

To understand constipation, it is important to understand how our digestive system works. When we eat, food is ground up in our stomachs so it can be digested. This "liquid" food passes into the small intestine where nutrients are extracted. It then moves on to the colon, where water is removed, allowing a stool to form. If too much water is extracted from the stool as it passes through the colon, it can become hard and difficult to pass leaving you constipated.

There are a number of reasons why people get constipated. These include not eating enough dietary fiber, not drinking enough liquids (water), lack of exercise, ignoring the "urge" to have a bowel movement and plain old stress. Other causes can include having a lazy colon that does not contract properly, causing waste materials to pass through the colon slowly, food allergies that can cause the colon to contract, or mechanical obstructions that inhibit the movement of waste materials. Many prescription drugs and certain neurological disorders can also slow down the movement of waste materials through the colon. Constipation can also be brought on by an abuse of laxatives that over time can damage the nerve cells in the colon and interfere with its ability to contract properly.

Fortunately, there are a number of things you can do to relieve chronic constipation naturally.

Recommendations For Wellness

Consume a high fiber diet made up of lots of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. If that is not possible, incorporate a dietary fiber supplement such as psyllium hulls, Natures Sunshine's Nature's Three or their Irritable Bowel Fiber into your daily health routine. Dietary fiber holds water and help to keep the stool soft, while added bulk help to move the stool through the colon.

If other fiber supplements fail in your attempt to become regular, try taking Chitosan (a form of dietary fiber) along with vitamin C. The chitosan binds to fats from the foods we eat making the stool soft and smooth. The vitamin C helps to activate the chitosan in the stomach.

Drink plenty of water, especially if you are taking supplemental fiber.

Try eating a few dried prunes or drinking some prune juice. In addition to adding fiber, prunes have a mild laxative effect.

Avoid sugar and other processed foods.

Begin a regular exercise program to help promote normal bowel movements.

If you think allergies are the cause of your constipation, try an elimination diet to help you to identify what may be triggering your body and causing your colon to contract.

Meditate, do yoga, go for a walk. Do things that will allow you to reduce your stress levels and help your body to relax. This can help relax your colon.

Get a colonic to flush out any old fecal matter that may be trapped within the colon or try a colon cleanse.

Take a good probiotic such as acidopholis or bifidophilus to help promote a healthy environment within the colon.

Peppermint (3910-9) has a long history of helping relax the smooth muscles of the gastrointestinal tract.

Supplementation with magnesium and large doses of vitamin C, have a mild laxative effect on the body.

If all else fails, herbs such as casgara segrada, turkey rhubarb or herbal combinations such as Natures Sunshine's LBS II and LB-X can be used to evacuate the colon. While these should be used with caution, they are less aggressive than many commercial laxatives that are available at the supermarket.

© Copyright Body, Mind & SoulHealer 2005. All rights reserved. Dr. Rita Louise, PhD is a Naturopathic Physician and it is her unique gift as a medical intuitive that enlivens her work. Author of the books "Avoiding the Cosmic 2x4" and "The Power Within", Dr. Rita Louise, Ph.D. a can help you identify what is really going on and provide you with straightforward guidance and advice. She can be reached by calling 972-475-3393 or visiting her website at http://www.soulhealer.com.

---

Sheepskin Underlays, For a Better Sleep

Sheepskin a better sleep If you want a better sleep,... Read More

Aromatherapy ? Part II: Mind and Emotions

The Sense of Smell forms the greater part of our... Read More

Quit Smoking Through Hypnosis

You have seen and heard the warnings. You know what... Read More

The Effects of Stress

Stress can affect you in four different ways:The Physical Effects... Read More

Green Tea: An Oriental Panacea Revived

A medicinal beverage in Asia for almost 4000 years, green... Read More

Spring Cleaning with Nontoxic Cleaners

Spring cleaning goes beyond normal everyday cleaning. It's a major... Read More

Complementary Medicine

Complementary Medicine is the use of natural therapy and medicines... Read More

Hypnosis for Change

Change is what we want. Change is what we fear.... Read More

Endorphins ? Strong Painkillers Your Subconscious May Be Able to Provide

The sources of the original "natural high," endorphins and ekephalins... Read More

Preventing Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy Through Ayurveda

Definition: Benign prostatic hypertrophy is swelling of Prostate gland. The... Read More

The Health Care Crisis - and a Solution

We are presently facing a health care crisis that is... Read More

The Source of All Disease

So why is there disease? The very word means that... Read More

Health - Its All in the Mind

Do you ever listen to other people's conversations? I mean... Read More

Natural Aphrodisiacs - The Right Way

Aphrodisiacs are amongst the oldest cures, being ones of the... Read More

The Many Uses of Mint

There are many varieties of mint plants. If you want... Read More

Oral Chelation ? What Can It Do For You? (Part 2)

Intravenous chelation therapy was more popular than oral chelation initially.... Read More

Human Health Modification Using Sun Light and Frequency

Human behavior could be modified using light preferably real sunlight.... Read More

Air Purifiers, Are They Worth The Money?

When you suffer from allergies or asthma, you may think... Read More

Natures Way To Relieve Arthritis Pain

PINEAPPLE AND PAPAYASMedical authorities say that pineapples and papayas can... Read More

Hypnosis Cures For Nail Biting

One little-thought-of application for hypnosis is to help people stop... Read More

Alternative Medicine vs Conventional Medicine - Part 1

The term 'alternative medicine' that is so commonly used today... Read More

Water Therapy: Therapeutic and Esoteric Properties for Your Home Spa Smart Bathing

Something New Interesting About Water Therapy."The more I find out,... Read More

CPT Codes; What are you Getting Billed for?

All of us visit some sort of medical office from... Read More

About Candida, Its Symptoms & Treatment

Candida is a fungal infection affecting the moist external area... Read More

Love, Appreciation, and the Heart

As I started to write this article a few words... Read More

10 Essential Food Safety Tips For AIDS Sufferers

Persons with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) are especially susceptible to... Read More

Reduce the Effects of Fears and Phobias with Hypnosis

Hypnosis is very useful in the treatment of fears and... Read More

Application Methods For Aromatherapys Essential Oils

BATH: Add 10-12 drops of a single oil or a... Read More

At-Home Relief For Ingrown Hairs

#1 Use Antibiotic SoapAntibiotic soap helps to clear up and... Read More

Quiet Discoveries Lead to Fast Sinus Relief

It's amazing what you can find when you start your... Read More

Homeopathy: A Natural Health 101 Article

What It IsIn Homeopathy, extremely dilute preparations are given to... Read More

The Whys and Habits of Anxiety & Panic Disorder

Just about everyone asks themselves why? Why did I get... Read More

Beating Your Neck, Back and Shoulder Pain

Suffering from neck, back and shoulder pain? If you are,... Read More