![Home remedies to ease constipation](https://images.medicinenet.com/images/article/main_image/constipation-5.jpg?output-quality=75)
12 remedies to do at home that may help ease constipation are:
- Staying hydrated
- Getting enough fiber in your diet
- Limiting foods that are high in fats such as cheese and other dairy products
- Exercising regularly for 30 minutes a day or 150 minutes a week
- Taking probiotic foods or supplements
- Trying hot beverages such as tea or coffee
- Consuming a teaspoon of olive oil or castor on an empty stomach
- Try eating prunes
- Avoiding food that may trigger irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Trying magnesium citrate
- Taking lemon juice mixed in water
- Trying a squat position while pooping
Constipation can be relieved using home remedies. By bringing about minor changes in the lifestyle, one gets relieved from constipation.
Here’s how the above 12 remedies relieve constipation:
- Staying hydrated: Staying hydrated is important as dehydration can worsen the symptoms. Drinking eight glasses of water every day is important to remain hydrated. Try drinking warm water for immediate relief. Extra water helps to keep the stool soft, and makes it pass easily through the body.
- Getting enough fiber in your diet: Gradually, increase the amount of fiber in the diet as getting fiber at once may have a negative effect; hence it is necessary to increase the fiber intake slowly. The ideal intake of fiber should be about 20 to 35 grams daily. Fiber supplements or foods high in fiber can work wonders in relieving constipation, as it makes stool bulkier and softer.
- Limiting foods that are high in fats such as cheese and other dairy products: Foods high in fats are hard to digest and remains in the body for a long time, making it difficult for the guts to eliminate. Thus processed foods and dairy products should be limited or avoided for better motion.
- Exercising regularly for 30 minutes a day or 150 minutes a week: Sedentary lifestyle can increase the risk of constipation. Exercising helps to stimulate the muscles present in the lining of the intestine. So, gentle exercises such as brisk walking, swimming or cycling can ease the symptoms in some. However, vigorous exercise can do the reverse.
- Taking probiotic foods or supplements: Probiotic foods and supplements have live, beneficial bacteria, which naturally occurs in the intestines. They include Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus. These good bacteria help to eliminate constipation by improving intestinal movements.
- Drinking hot caffeinated coffee: Hot beverages stimulate the muscle of the intestine and ease constipation. Caffeine has been found to be helpful for the gut flora. Hence, decaffeinated coffee doesn’t have the same effect.
- Consuming a teaspoon of olive oil on an empty stomach: Olive oil acts as a lubricant as well as stool softener thus making it easier for the stool to pass.
- Try eating prunes: Prunes are high in fiber and have high sorbitol content that acts as a laxative.
- Avoiding food that may trigger irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): Constipation can be sometimes due to IBS. In such conditions, avoid foods that may trigger constipation. Fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAP) foods should be avoided in people having IBS.
- Trying magnesium citrate: Magnesium citrate retains water in the intestine, which helps in the bowel movement.
- Taking lemon juice mixed in water: Taking lemon juice mixed in water helps to stimulate bowel movements and soften the stool.
- Trying a squat position while pooping: Squatting relaxes the muscle and straightens out the colon, resulting in less straining while defecating.
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/water-a-fluid-way-to-manage-constipation
https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/squatty-potty-what-is#1
https://www.bladderandbowel.org/bowel/bowel-treatments/8-methods-encourage-bowel-movement/
Top 12 Remedies to Make Yourself Poop Related Articles
bisacodyl (Dulcolax)
Bisacodyl is an over-the-counter medication used to treat constipation and irregular bowel movements. Side effects of bisacodyl include abdominal cramping, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, vertigo, rectal burning, and fluid and electrolyte imbalance. Bisacodyl has no known drug interactions. Consult your doctor before taking bisacodyl if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.Boost Digestive Health
Upset stomach? Some foods may be the culprits, and bad habits may be to blame. Treat your body right with these simple nutrition tips on how to deal with with diarrhea, gas, reflux, and more digestive ailments.Can You Still Poop With Impacted Feces?
Digestion is the process of breaking down food in the gut so that it is in easily absorbable forms. The food travels from the mouth to the food pipe, stomach, small bowel, and large bowel to be finally eliminated through the anus. The small bowel (small intestine) absorbs nutrients from the food.Common Medical Abbreviations & Terms
Doctors, pharmacists, and other health-care professionals use abbreviations, acronyms, and other terminology for instructions and information in regard to a patient's health condition, prescription drugs they are to take, or medical procedures that have been ordered. There is no approved this list of common medical abbreviations, acronyms, and terminology used by doctors and other health- care professionals. You can use this list of medical abbreviations and acronyms written by our doctors the next time you can't understand what is on your prescription package, blood test results, or medical procedure orders. Examples include:
- ANED: Alive no evidence of disease. The patient arrived in the ER alive with no evidence of disease.
- ARF: Acute renal (kidney) failure
- cap: Capsule.
- CPAP: Continuous positive airway pressure. A treatment for sleep apnea.
- DJD: Degenerative joint disease. Another term for osteoarthritis.
- DM: Diabetes mellitus. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes
- HA: Headache
- IBD: Inflammatory bowel disease. A name for two disorders of the gastrointestinal (BI) tract, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
- JT: Joint
- N/V: Nausea or vomiting.
- p.o.: By mouth. From the Latin terminology per os.
- q.i.d.: Four times daily. As in taking a medicine four times daily.
- RA: Rheumatoid arthritis
- SOB: Shortness of breath.
- T: Temperature. Temperature is recorded as part of the physical examination. It is one of the "vital signs."
Constipation
Constipation is defined medically as fewer than three stools per week and severe constipation as less than one stool per week. Constipation usually is caused by the slow movement of stool through the colon. There are many causes of constipation including medications, poor bowel habits, low-fiber diets, laxative abuse, and hormonal disorders, and diseases primarily of other parts of the body that also affect the colon.Constipation Myths and Facts
Constipation results in fewer bowel movements. Laxatives, home remedies, and diet changes may bring constipation relief. Change habits that constipate you and adopt lifestyle changes to benefit your intestines and bowel. Bloating and chronic constipation are relieved with the right medical treatments.Constipation: Foods to Eat, Foods to Avoid Quiz
Take this quiz to find out what foods to eat, and what foods to avoid to prevent or relieve constipation.How Often Should You Poop?
Pooping, otherwise known as defecation or bowel movements, is the end result of digestion. According to experts, it's normal to have bowel movements as often as 3 times a day or as infrequently as 3 times per week.Is Green Poop a Sign of Infection?
Green poop may or may not be a sign of infection. The normal color of poop is brown, due to the bile pigment present in it. Any other color (green, red, black) needs attention. Abnormal colored poop may be due to changes in food habits, medicines or underlying medical causes.lactulose laxative (Enulose, Generlac)
Lactulose is a laxative prescribed to treat constipation, and prescribed to treat hepatic encephalopathy when the liver is unable to remove toxins from the blood. Diarrhea (loose stool) may occur if the dose of lactulose is too high. Problems associated with diarrhea are fluid and potassium loss in the diarrheal stool leading to dehydration and low blood levels of potassium (hypokalemia). An additional side effect is the elevation of blood levels of sodium (hypernatremia) as a result of the loss of fluid.Laxatives for Constipation
Laxatives types for the treatment of constipation include over-the-counter (OTC) preparations, for example, bulk-forming laxatives, stool softeners, lubricant laxatives, stimulants, or saline laxatives, enemas, and suppositories.malt soup extract
Malt soup extract is used as a short-term treatment to relieve occasional constipation, maintain regularity of bowel movements and relieve anal itching (pruritus ani). Malt soup extract is available over the counter (OTC) as a tablet, powder, or liquid that is taken with plenty of fluids. Malt is used in the preparation of many foods and beverages. Common side effects of malt soup extract include gas (flatulence), excessive bowel activity, diarrhea, and rectal obstruction.polyethylene glycol 3350
Polyethylene glycol 3350 is a drug used to treat occasional constipation and for bowel preparation prior to procedures. Side effects of polyethylene glycol are diarrhea, nausea, stomach cramps, and flatulence. People with kidney disease should consult with their doctor before using this product. Consult your doctor before taking if pregnant or breastfeeding.psyllium
Psyllium is a dietary fiber used to relieve occasional constipation and to maintain regularity of bowel movements. Psyllium is used to treat constipation, diarrhea, fecal incontinence, hemorrhoids, ulcerative colitis, and hyperlipidemia. Use psyllium with caution in elderly patients. Common side effects of psyllium include constipation, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, esophageal obstruction, intestinal obstruction, and allergic reaction in people sensitive to inhaled or ingested psyllium. Psyllium is generally safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding.Top 12 Foods for Constipation Relief
Constipation is a common problem, and almost everyone has been constipated at one time or another. There are foods that can help prevent constipation and also provide relief, for example, kiwi, prunes, beans (your choice of type), berries, certain seeds, potatoes, and popcorn.15 Foods That Cause Constipation
Constipation or the decrease in frequency and/or difficulty in passing stools (bowel movements) can be caused by a variety of problems. Check out these top 15 foods to avoid because they cause constipation. Some foods to avoid include, white rice and bread, caffeine, bananas, alcohol, processed foods, and frozen dinners.Why Do Babies Struggle Pooping?
When it comes to pooping and babies, you should be concerned with frequency and consistency. Babies may struggle with pooping due to dehydration, they anticipate discomfort or pain, or they experience infant dyschezia.Why Is My Poop Green?
Green stools are a common condition that affects many people. Learn the signs of green stools, what causes them, how doctors diagnose them, and what you can do to treat it.