When you're constipated, you want the best resource for quick constipation relief. Yet, it's an embarrassing topic for most people to talk about. Due to our fast-paced lives, infrequent bowel movement is quite common. It happens to people from all walks of life. Here are proven strategies for quick constipation relief.
What is constipation?
Constipation is an imbalance in the digestive system where your stools are infrequent and most likely hard and difficult to pass.
Everyone has a different constitution based on their doshas. While some people eliminate 3x per day, others only once. But, if you're not moving your bowels at least once a day, you are constipated.
What does a healthy bowel movement look like?
A healthy bowel movement should have the consistency of a ripe banana and it should float in the toilet. Furthermore, it should leave your body without strain and the smell should be mild.
What Causes Constipation?
- Poor diet
- Lack of exercise
- Lack of water
- Irregular eating habits or late night eating
- Magnesium deficiency
- Bowel obstruction
- Neurogenic disorders
- Stressful or fearful emotions
- Not having enough time to “go”
- Excessive travel
- Irregular routines
Is Constipation Toxic?
For the most part, YES!
The waste hanging out in your colon is extremely toxic. Because the wall of the colon is permeable toxins can penetrate back into the blood stream.
Therefore, the longer your waste sits in your colon, the more it negatively effects your blood, organs and brain.
Western Medicine
If you see your doctor for constipation, they may X-ray the abdomen with barium enema to see if there's an obstruction. However, simple constipation rarely requires testing.
Typically your doctor will prescribe Psyllium and Senna. Yet, be aware if you suffer from severe constipation Psyllium can make your constipation worse if you don't drink enough water.
Quick Constipation Relief
If your constipation is mild, take 1 1/2 TBS Psyllium in a glass of water and drink immediately. In addition, follow with two more glasses of water. Do this 2x day, morning and evening. At the same time, begin to put to use natural remedies for constipation immediately.
If your constipation is more severe, take Senna tablets at night before bed. 2-4 tablets should produce a bowl movement 6-12 hours later. Senna works by irritating the lining of the bowel, which causes a laxative effect.
Furthermore, it's not safe to take senna each night for ongoing relief. Also, do not take Senna if you have abdominal pain or if you are pregnant.
Foods to Avoid
- Dry foods like crackers, potato chips, corn chips, cold cereal
- Dairy products (milk, cheese)
- Alcohol
- Cakes, cookies, candy (white sugar)
- Breads, wheat (gluten products)
- All processed foods and fast food
- All deep fried foods
- Red meat
- Salt
- Soft drinks or any fizzy drinks
- Iced beverages
Best Foods for Quick Constipation Relief
Fruit
Apples, apricots, bananas, cherries, cantaloupe, dates, figs, grapes, grapefruit, garlic, kiwi, mangos, papaya, peaches, pears, pineapple, plums, prunes, oranges, raisins, raspberries, rhubarb, strawberries, tangerines.
Vegetables
Beets, bell peppers, carrots, cilantro, cabbage, kale, okra, onions, parsley, radish, sweet potatoes, winter squash, yams, broccoli, cucumber, green beans, spinach zucchini
Grains
Basmati rice, brown rice, barley, quinoa
Beans
Mung beans, chickpeas, lima beans, aduki beans, pinto beans, black beans
Nuts and Seeds
Almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, pecans, walnuts, hazelnuts, chestnuts, pine nuts, pistachios, macadamias, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds. All nuts and seeds are good, particularly almonds and sesame seeds.
Oils
Favor Extra Virgin Olive oil, flaxseed, sesame oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, almond oil and ghee.
Spices
All spices are very good for digestion. Add them to your cooking whenever possible. Asafetida, basil, cardamom, cayenne pepper, chickweed, cinnamon, coriander, cumin, fennel, fenugreek, garlic, ginger, turmeric, mustard seeds.
Beverages
Drink freshly made juice every morning and evening. Here are some juice recipes to get you going.
Drink lots of herbal teas. Here are the most effective for quick constipation relief: Ginger tea, dandelion tea, burdock tea, elderflower tea, licorice tea, basil tea, fennel tea, chamomile tea, peppermint tea, nettle tea.
Condiments
Apple cider vinegar, honey, molasses
Natural Remedies for Constipation are Best
As you can see, you don't need to take over-the-counter medications to relieve your constipation. Changing your diet and lifestyle can make a world of difference. In fact, there are lots of better, natural remedies for constipation that will heal and relieve your symptoms. You can find more Natural remedies for Constipation here.
I hope the information here has contributed to your health and well-being. Please drop me a comment or question here. Or, if you've tried everything but “nothing's worked” yet please tell me about it.
Never knew constipation is toxic, and how it would affect the organs. That sounds like something we should certainly pay attention to! It’s fantastic to know that psyllium helps with constipation. I have never heard of Senna – is it a kind of herb? Really like your list of foods to eat for quick constipation relief. Thanks for sharing the tips!
Hi Lily!
Yes, senna is an herb. You don’t want to use it all the time because it does have a strong laxative effect… But it’s good when you really need it.
I agree with the psyllium suggestion you have. I cannot stand it in water however. You can also add it to fruit juice which is what I do and if you leave it a little while it turns to almost like a jelly which you can eat with a spoon. As a Nurse who works in Aged care we also use a lot of pear juice, this is really high in fibre and can get things moving naturally quite well. Thank you for your article, too many people take this for granted and it is a major health indicator. Much more important than a lot of people realise!
Hi Jodes, Thanks for the sharing your tip on pear juice! 🙂
Thanks “Jackie Parker” sharing such a great knowledge.
Thanks for connecting Asif! xo