Have you ever been too embarrassed to talk to your doctor about problems with constipation?
Constipation is the irregular bowel movement and the difficulty in the passage of stools. It can often last uncomfortably for at least several weeks. This condition is usually determined when a person has less than three bowel movements a week. Read on to know more about this condition.
What is constipation?
If the digestive system moves the stool slowly and you can’t do anything to speed it up for elimination, it eventually loses water and becomes dry and hard. This makes it even more difficult to eliminate. Want to know more about your constipation? Schedule a FREE 15 minute consultation with Dr. Celaya.
How do I know that I have constipation?
Aside from what was previously mentioned, you need to look out for some other signs and symptoms for the next few days, such as the following:
- You might need assistance to completely empty the rectal part. Some of these techniques involve pressing on the abdomen or using a finger or an enema to get rid of the stool stuck inside the rectum.
- You might feel that your rectum may be blocked. In some instances, you may even feel that this is the cause of difficulty in passing stools.
- Your stools may be hard or lumpy.
- You might feel the sensation of incomplete voiding of the stool.
- You have to strain just so you can have your bowel movements.
What foods should I avoid to encourage better bowel movement?
The following are just some of the foods that you need to avoid at all costs:
- Constipation can be a sign of gluten intolerance. Visit my website to learn more about appropriate testing. LINK HERE
- Dairy products like ice cream and cheese cause constipation because of their low-fiber and high-fat content. Even whey protein drinks can contribute to constipation.
- Fried and greasy foods like onion rings, French fries, and potato chips can significantly slow down your digestive tract.
- Meat alone cannot cause constipation. However, if you happen to eat it more often than fiber-rich foods, that will surely give you the problem because the stomach has to spend more time processing and absorbing it.
- Avoid anthranoid-containing herbs and herbal teas that create a laxative dependence on these stimulant laxatives such as senna, cascara sagrada, and even aloe vera (to name a few). These can also result in melanosis coli where the cells in the colon’s lining turn a dark-brown pigmentation due to damage and apoptosis (a form of cell death).
- Avoid foods that make you bloated or let you retain water for longer periods of time.
How can I address and prevent constipation?
Before trying over-the-counter laxatives, stool softeners, glycerin suppositories, or synthetic or processed fibers such as Metamucil or Citrucel, try the following, more natural steps to help your elimination get back on track and avoid constipation in the long run:
SUPPLEMENTS
- Castor oil is a well-known laxative that you can consume on an empty stomach. Consuming about 1 to 2 teaspoons in a day will do for chronic cases of constipation.
- Magnesium citrate and Triphala supplementation in the evening can help morning elimination.
- Digestive support from stomach acid (hydrochloric acid-HCL) and digestive enzymes are critical for digesting food. I find a deficiency of both to be very common in many patients. Digest, my digestive support product, contains both HCL and digestive enzymes.
- A good probiotic is also very important for digestion, no matter your age. Making sure you have the proper microbiome keeps the good bacteria high, which, in turn, keeps the bad bacteria at bay.
FOODS
- Drink fresh green juices like spinach, celery, and kale to help peristaltic action. If you are in a hurry and don’t have time to make fresh juice, try my GREEN DRINK
- Make a small amount of fresh beet juice for cleansing and add it to a base of fresh cucumber, celery, kale, spinach and apple juice.
- Make sure to incorporate lots of vegetables and fruit into your diet every day. Super important!
- Raisins are rich in tartaric acid that can help mobilize stool. Just consume 4.5 ounces of these in a day to see the difference.
- Just like apricots and cherries, prunes help trigger the intestines to contract more regularly.
- Supplementing with fiber such as acacia, flaxseed, chia seed and psyllium husks are all beneficial options. If you’re not used to it, introduce it bit by bit in your meals to prevent bloating. Make sure you drink plenty of water with fiber.
- Drink lots of water, as well as fresh juices and herbal teas!
OTHER THINGS TO HELP
- Never ignore your urge to pass your stool.
- Maintain an active lifestyle as much as possible. If you can, perform exercises at least 30 minutes a day for a minimum of 3 times a week. You can perform some gentle exercises any time to mobilize toxins.
- Make it a point to create regular schedules for your bowel movement. The easiest way to do this is to encourage a bowel movement after a meal.
- Incorporate relaxation techniques into your lifestyle.
- Encourage the squatting position for full elimination. Using a small chair to raise your feet a bit while you’re sitting on the toilet may actually help you do this.
- Never try to suppress your urge to have a bowel movement.
While having occasional bouts of constipation is perfectly normal, you should not wait before it worsens before you do anything about it. If you let it run its course without identifying the cause of your condition, there might come a time when you may have other problems related to constipation. Therefore, don’t hesitate to seek help if you think you’re getting this condition more frequently. If you would like to get to the root cause of your constipation, you can schedule for a free consultation with Dr. Celaya.