Constipation is a common medical and troublesome issue affecting people of all ages in India. It sometimes can be more painful and quite irritating or frustrating. According to the survey, it was estimated that 22% -44% of the Indian population is suffering from constipation with approximately 16-17% suffering from severe constipation and it is more common in women and elderly people.
There are several reasons for constipation such as changes in lifestyle, intake of unhealthy dietary habits, lack of physical activity and much more. Constipation can hurt everyone’s health, especially physical and mental health.
In this blog, we are discussing top home remedies for constipation that help you to get quick relief and have a positive impact on your overall health.
From dietary adjustments to home remedies, these easy and powerful strategies help your stomach and intestines work better without any medication. Whether you need instant relief or want to improve your digestive system you will find the best home remedies for constipation here.
What is Constipation?
Constipation is a gastrointestinal condition where someone has difficulty passing stools or having infrequent bowel movements. Generally, It involves a small amount of dry and hard stools that are difficult to pass fewer than three times a week.
Causes of Constipation
Several factors cause constipation such as inadequate drinking of water, lack of sleep and poor dietary habits. Here are the most common causes of constipation include:-
- Less fibre in the Diet
- Lack of sleep
- Not Drinking Enough Water
- Lack of physical activities
- Poor Bowel Habits
- Take too much Stress
- Pregnancy or hormonal changes
- Frequent use of medications such as painkillers, antacids, and Iron supplements
- Highly Consumption of Dairy Products
- Symptoms of diabetes
- Changes in routine and lifestyle
- Highly Consumption of Junk foods
- Misuse or high use of laxatives
Symptoms of Constipation
Various symptoms of constipation may vary from person to person. People have different bowel habits; some go two or three times a day, and some go three times a week. However, you may be constipated if you have experienced the following symptoms.
- Fewer bowel movements
- Passing hard & dry tools
- Rectal Blockage or experiencing rectal pain
- Excessive straining or spending lots of time during bowel movements
- Straining or pain when passing stools
- A feeling bloated or fuller even after having a bowel movement
- Abdominal pain or stomach cramps
- Acidity & sudden change in bowel movements
- Lower Back pain
- Bleeding from the rectum
- Unexpected weight loss
- Feel vomiting
It is essential to note that constipation can be different for everyone. Some have severe constipation or some experience few of these symptoms. If you are experiencing a few of these symptoms there are constipation solutions at home that can usually give you relief.
But if you are experiencing lasts a long time or even experience something bad like fever, bleeding from the rectum or stomach pain it is very important to check with the doctor or constipation specialist for proper evaluation and assessment.
13 Useful Home Remedies to Relieve Constipation Quickly
- Drink Plenty of Water
Staying hydrated is essential for maintaining the digestive system and preventing constipation. Drinking plenty of water softens your stools, improves gut health, and gets things moving in your stomach.
Aim to drink at least 8-10 glasses of water in a day that makes your bowel movements easy. Drinking warm water right after waking up helps to prevent constipation. This is one of the highly recommended natural home remedies for constipation.
- Eat More Fibrous Food
Fibre is one the most valuable players of nutrients that easily regulate your bowel movements and help to pass a good amount of stools through your digestive system. Fibre not only makes your bowel movements but also softens your tools.
You can add fibre food to your diet such as brown rice, lentils, cereals, grains, fruits & vegetables. These fibre foods can be beneficial for people to relieve constipation and are considered one of the best & quick home remedies for constipation.
- Exercise or Workout Regularly
Regular physical exercise is not only beneficial to your general health, but it can also promote regular bowel motions. Exercise activates the muscles in your intestines, allowing food to pass through your digestive system more efficiently.
To assist cure constipation, try to get at least 30 minutes or 1 hour of moderate exercise each day, such as walking, running, or cycling. Various doctors or healthcare experts recommend that doing regular physical exercise helps to increase the frequency of waste stools from your digestive system.
- Take Probiotics
Probiotics deliver the best bacteria to your digestive system which helps to maintain your gut flora and promotes proper digestion. Consumption of probiotics such as yoghurt, and kefir with live active cultures (Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus) improves gut health and relieves constipation.
You can also add kimchi to your diet which is considered a probiotic and an instant home remedy for constipation
- Reduce Stress
Stress can have a negative impact on your digestive system and increase the chances of constipation. You can reduce stress by following strategies such as yoga, deep breathing or meditation that help you to cure constipation.
Certain yoga poses can promote your digestion and eliminate the symptoms of constipation. Doing yoga can be an effective home remedy for constipation.
- Eat Dried Fruits
Dried fruits like almonds, figs and raisins are packed with fibre and natural sugars that help in the fight against constipation. They not only offer a sweet and pleasant snack alternative, but they also work wonders when added to your favourite recipes.
Add them to your morning oatmeal breakfast that support your digestive system and promote your bowel movement.
- Take Coffee or Tea
Drinking a cup of coffee or tea in the morning stimulates a bowel movement due to its caffeine content and helps you relieve constipation. Coffee or tea is one of the oldest and most effective home remedies for constipation. But, too much caffeine can have dehydration effects and disturb your digestive system so take it in moderation and stay hydrated.
- Psyllium husk
Psyllium husk is a widely used home remedy for constipation in India. It is a soluble fibre supplement renowned for its effectiveness in softening stool and facilitating bowel movements. Commonly available in Indian households and local markets, psyllium husk offers a simple yet powerful solution to alleviate constipation-related discomfort.
- Drinking Coconut Water
Coconut water helps you to stay dehydrated, stimulates your digestive system and increases the functions of the kidneys. The electrolytes and potassium contained in coconut water support your bowel movement and hydrate you. It is one of the home remedies to relieve constipation immediately.
- Drink Aloe vera juice
Aloe vera juice has laxative effects that soothe your digestive tract and stimulate your bowel movements. Drink 2 ounces daily with water to relieve constipation quickly. if your symptoms don’t go with this remedy you can consult with your doctor or constipation specialist.
- Try Castor Oil
Castor oil is an effective stimulant laxative that encourages the muscles in the intestines to contract and push out the stool. It can work in 2-6 hours, however it may induce cramping, nausea, and diarrhoea. Take no more than 15 ml of castor oil at a time, and do not use it for more than 7 days in a row.
- Eat Magnesium Foods
Magnesium has a good amount of minerals that relax the muscles in your intestines and make it easier to pass the stools. You can take magnesium foods such as spinach, dry beans, and whole grains to generate your bowels for passing and help you to relieve constipation quickly.
- Try Squat Position
A seated Squat Position in the lavatory can help some people relieve constipation. Squatting while having a bowel movement aligns the rectum and anus in a way that can make elimination.
Effective Home Remedies for Constipation Relief During Pregnancy
Constipation is very common during the time of pregnancy, and it starts especially in the first and second trimesters after the 8-week when the hormone progesterone rapidly increases.
The most common causes of constipation that occur during pregnancy are hormonal changes, inadequate hydration, consumption of iron supplements such as iron tablets, and Reduced physical exercises leading to the causes of constipation during pregnancy.
Here are some easy & effective home remedies for constipation relief for pregnant women
- Drink 8-10 glasses of warm water per day that stimulates your stool movement and easily passes it from your digestive system.
- Eat a lot of fibre foods such as fruits & vegetables, porridge with berries and nuts, and whole grains that help you to easily pass the stool and give you constipation relief.
- Do some yoga that can help you to stimulate and improve the circulation of the bowel.
When to Seek Medical Help
If you experience constipation for more than a week and it does not improve with the above natural home remedies, you should contact a doctor. A doctor can confirm that your constipation is not caused by a significant medical problem. They might also provide an appropriate remedy to alleviate your discomfort.
See your doctor if your constipation includes:
- Severe abdominal ache.
- bleeding from your rectum
- Vomiting and unexplained weight loss.
- The stool is hard or dry
- Quite painful to pass stool
- Stimulate bowel movements three times a week
Which Doctor to Consult for Constipation
If you did not get relief from constipation through the above natural home remedies you can consult Dr S.N. Baser a renowned constipation specialist with 20+ years of experience at Harsh Hospital & Maternity Home in Surat City Centre. He also specialises in other treatments such as Piles, Laparoscopy, Anal fissure and Fistula.
For constipation treatment in Surat contact us at 0261-2781652/ 9978987222.
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- Symptoms & Causes of Piles in Females
- 6 Super Foods to Prevent Piles
Conclusion
Constipation happens when you have difficulty passing stools without straining or your bowel movements have been done in fewer than three weeks. Constipation is a common digestive issue that everyone experiences in their life at one point.
Usually, those who have made their bad lifestyle by choices. By incorporating these 13 home remedies into your daily routine you can get relief from constipation and improve your digestive health.
However, if constipation continues or is accompanied by severe symptoms, it is important to see a doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment. Visit our Constipation Hospital today.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
- How can I relieve constipation quickly?
Consider various home remedies options such as eating lots of fibre-rich foods such as brown rice, oatmeal, fruits & vegetables, Drinking plenty of water and limiting dairy products. These remedies can help you to relieve constipation quickly.
- How can I soften my stool naturally?
Drinking plenty of warm water improves your digestive system and softens your stool naturally. You can also add fibre-rich foods and magnesium foods to your diet that help to make stool soften.
- What simple trick empties your bowels immediately?
Drink 2 to 3 glasses of warm water daily in the morning to encourage bowel movements and stay hydrated. Do physical exercise such as walking, running or cycling that helps you improve digestion and stimulate bowel movements. Consuming fibre-rich foods regularly helps to improve your digestive system.
- When should I see a doctor for constipation?
You can consult with DR S.N. Baseer who specialises in the treatment of constipation at Harsh Hospital & Maternity Home in Surat City. He is a constipation specialist with 20+ years of medical experience.
- What foods can help relieve constipation?
Several types of foods can help relieve constipation such as whole grains, oatmeals, fruits & vegetables. You can also add fermented foods like yoghurt or kefir that also help to improve your digestive system and encourage your bowel regularly.
