Constipation is a very widespread state that affects people of all ages. When you are constipated, you feel that you are not transient stools (faeces) as often as your in general do, or that you have to strain more than usual, or that you are unable to completely empty your bowels. Constipation can also cause your stools to be unusually hard, lumpy, large or small.

Constipation is defined as having a bowel movement fewer than three times per week. With constipation stools are usually hard, dry, small in size, and difficult to eliminate.

Some people who are constipated find it painful to have a bowel movement and often experience straining, bloating, and the sensation of a full bowel.

Some people think they are constipated if they do not have a bowel movement every day. However, normal stool elimination may be three times a day or three times a week, depending on the person.

Causes of Constipation

1. Inadequate fluid intake, or dehydration

2. Inadequate amounts of fiber in your diet

3. Inattention to bowel habits or ignoring the urge to have a bowel movement

4. Lack of physical activity (especially in older adults)

5. Irritable bowel syndrome

6. Changes in lifestyle or routine, including pregnancy, aging and travel

7. Illness

8. Frequent use or abuse of laxatives

Symptoms of Constipation

1. Pass fewer than three stools a week

2. Experience hard stools

3. Strain excessively during bowel movements

4. Experience a sense of rectal blockage

5. Have a feeling of incomplete evacuation after having a bowel movement

6. Need to use manual maneuvers to have a bowel movement, such as finger evacuation or manipulation of your lower abdomen

Treatment of Constipation

Constipation is a common complaint in older adults. Although constipation is not a physiologic consequence of normal aging, decreased mobility and other comorbid medical conditions may contribute to its increased prevalence in older adults.

Functional constipation is diagnosed when no secondary causes can be identified, such as a medical condition or a medicine with a side effect profile that includes constipation.

Constipation treatments include dietary and lifestyle changes, fiber supplements, and laxatives.

Sometimes prescription medicines and therapies such as biofeedback may be tried. Rarely, surgery may be necessary for carefully defined neuromuscular abnormalities.

Home Remedies for Constipation

Regular drinking of water is highly beneficial for cleaning the system. Normally 6-8 glasses of water are recommended for digesting and dissolving the food nutrients.

Eating chapatti made of wheat (two parts) and roasted black gram powder (one part) along with their husk is also beneficial and is good constipation remedy.

To make good home remedy for constipation take 2 tablespoons of Blackstrap molasses before going to sleep. Molasses are high in calories. It has a strong taste, though, you may want to add it to milk, fruit juice, or prune juice etc.

Walking 4-5 kms. After dinner is highly beneficial as it helps in the digestion of food.

Half cup cabbage juice taken twice-daily cures constipation.

Mango is a natural reliever of constipation.

Dip 10-12 dry grapes without seeds in milk and boil the milk. Drink the milk separately and chew the grapes. This is more beneficial when taken at night. This is one of the useful home remedies for constipation.

Dip Spiegel seeds 5-10 grams in 200 grams of warm milk. Add sugar and take this during night. This is very useful diet for constipation.

Chronic constipation can be cured with high intake of figs dipped in water and taken in the morning time. This constipation remedy is very effective and one of the good home remedies for constipation.

Dates along with milk also relieve constipation.

Dip two teaspoonfuls of Spiegel seeds in water for 6 hours, add equal amount of sugar and take this with water at night. This is very simple and effective home remedy for constipation.