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Natural Stool Softeners The home remedies for constipation advised on in this article are of personal interest! For as long as I can remember I have been a “victim” of this condition; and have firsthand experience of how utterly miserable this condition can make one feel… I won’t bore you with elaborating on each of the many causes of constipation; suffice to say the most common culprits are:
Daily diet lacks enough fiber and fluids
Not getting enough exercise
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Stress
Some medications (painkillers like ibuprofen and aspirin when used regularly; antidepressants like Prozac and Elavil – use gentle stool softeners when you experience constipation when taking these medications)
Sweeteners
Foods that cause constipation include chocolate (ouch!), green bananas (2 ripe bananas between meals may bring constipation relief), too much cheese, too many eggs and black tea
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I assume you are here because you, like me, prefer natural constipation remedies…In no particular order, here are some of the most powerful constipation remedies for quick relief:
For quick constipation relief mix 2 tablespoons molasses into 8 oz milk or prune juice (100% natural stool softener) and drink. Molasses is high in calories; subsequently not recommended for daily use.
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Another home remedy for constipation which many fellow sufferers recommend is olive oil. For fast constipation relief drink ½ cup straight (ugh!) or mix with any juice. Within 2 hours olive oil will proof to be one of your “run to” quick constipation remedies!
A tasty cure for constipation is honey, regarded a mild laxative. You can either take 1 tablespoon 3 times daily neat or mixed into a glass of warm water. If however you need something stronger, consider adding 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar to the mix.
One or two teaspoons castor oil on empty stomach is the best remedy for constipation if you can wait about 8 hours for relief…
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Whole flax seed (linseed) is a constipation solution which can be “incorporated” into your diet. Just add 1 tablespoon to your cereal or smoothie; alternatively, eat 1 tablespoon three times daily.
Constipation and bloating at times go hand in hand. Typical reasons for constipation and bloating are food intolerances (gluten in rye, barley and wheat), stress, menstruation (some bloating or cramping is quite normal),
etc. Bloating essentially is a buildup of too much gas (gas is part and parcel of the normal digestive process). When we eat, drink and chew, we swallow a lot of air, especially when we drink fizzy drinks and laugh and talk while we eat.
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A delicate balance of the bacteria keeps the digestive system regular and smooth running. An imbalance caused by factors such as poor diet, stress, medication, etc. results in fewer good bacteria in the gut, known as dysbiosis. As you remedy constipation, you will essentially also get rid of bloating. Some bloating remedies you can try to get rid of both bloating and constipation include:
Foods rich in potassium (potassium helps to regulate the body’s fluid balance) such as mangoes, tomatoes, nuts, bananas, asparagus and mangoes
Refrain from drinking through a straw, talking, laughing, smoking, etc. while eating (these activities cause you to swallow excess air)
Do not eat bread or pasta before bedtime, they may cause water retention
Refrain from drinking fizzy drinks
Artificial sweeteners, particularly sorbitol, (found in many sugarfree gums and candies), are digested with difficulty by some people. Avoid these if you suspect you may be one of them
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If you tend to swell up before and during menstruation, ensure your daily intake of 1200 mg calcium and 200-400 mg magnesium respectively is adhered to as these minerals greatly relieve PMS symptoms, i.e. bloating
Freshly chopped parsley added to meals is a natural diuretic
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We need to learn how to prevent constipation. Actually, this is a simple as 123, and natural remedies for constipation are: 1. Drink between 6 and 8 glasses of water daily (natural stool softener which helps in moving the fecal matter down the digestive tract) 2. Foods that make you poop are rich in fiber! The daily recommendation for women is 25 grams; for men 38 grams, or 14 grams/1000 calories. Veggies such as beans, cabbage and broccoli, fruits like apples, prunes, avocados, figs, grapes, pears, pineapples and pears, as well as whole grain foods are great sources of fiber. Keep in mind that fiber only will not keep you regular, drinking water and getting enough exercise is part and parcel of keeping stool soft
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3. Get some exercise. Walking, cycling, swimming, running, yoga, etc for constipation relief should become a daily routine which can greatly prevent constipation most of the time Avoid constipation by observing the above. These simple measures can effectively cure constipation; taking the necessary actions is up to you‌
Constipation in toddlers (children between ages 1 and 3) is something I had to deal with myself. How do you know your toddler is constipated? The signs usually are small, hard and dry pellets, difficulty in passing stool (accompanied by pain) and infrequency in bowel movements (more than 2 days between stools). Toddler constipation is generally caused by the following:
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A diet which includes too much constipating foods like bananas, cooked carrots or squash, dairy products like cheese, yogurt, ice cream and milk (should be limited to 2-3 six ounce cups a day). For natural constipation relief you can boil 2-3 tablespoons of
flax seeds in 2 cups (500 ml) of water for about 10 minutes. Water down the mixture if it becomes too thick and mix with your child’s milk for a natural stool softener. Taking in too little fluids can cause hard stool. If your child’s urine is not a pale clear yellow, start giving him/her more liquids. I used to dilute fruit juice with water; plain water is much better though as fruit juice can spoil their appetite and also cause tooth decay (limit juice intake to 4 ounces daily). It teaches the child to drink water from a young age which is crucial to a healthy lifestyle. Children, as is the case with adults, need exercise to move food through the digestive tract. Encourage exercise by walking, running or playing with your child.
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Stool holding: Resisting the urge to go to the toilet; quite common in toddlers. Reasons for holding stool may include a change in routine, busy playing, scared of public facilities, etc.
Foods to relieve constipation in your toddler are those high in fiber and include fruits (prunes, apples, grapes, pears) and veggies (peas, green
beans, and broccoli). Wholegrain bread, crackers and cereal, lots of fluids and adequate exercise are all natural cures for constipation in toddlers.
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Start a routine of potty time. For 5-10 minutes after each meal sit your child down on the potty and make yourself comfortable with him/her by either
chatting or reading a book to your child. This should create a calm atmosphere where your child can relax and let nature take its course. Do not force your child to stay on the potty if he/she doesn’t want to; the child may start to think of the toilet as punishment.
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Medication which can help soften the stool may be suggested. I myself have used a glycerin suppository for constipation on occasion (it stimulates the rectum; assisting in passing stool) for my child; other over-the-counter medications include a lubricant such as a mineral oil for constipation or laxatives for constipation if your child suffers from acute constipation. In closing: There are times when constipation is accompanied by symptoms which are cause for concern. If your constipation condition started recently (acute constipation), or when you experience any of the following symptoms, i.e. abdominal pain and cramps, rectal bleeding, nausea and vomiting, weight loss, etc. seek immediate medical advice, as it may be indicative of a serious medical condition!. Chronic constipation (long term)
can usually be cured with simple preventive actions such as those discussed in this article.
Hey, my name is Sonia. I research minor illnesses, striving to bring you the best treatment solutions which won’t cost you an arm and a leg. For the full article on natural stool softeners as well as treatment options for a hangover, acne, sore throat, overactive bladder, canker sores, etc. visit sicknessnhealth. If however you believe laughter is the best medicine, get your daily dose of medicine here‌
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