Easy Constipation Remedies For Kids and Adults
Wednesday, April 29th, 2009Constipation is a problem suffered by both adults and children. Thankfully though, there are many safe and natural constipation remedies that work well regardless of how old someone is.
For children with constipation, dietary changes are commonly recommended, including the following suggestions from keep kids healthy dot com.
Increasing fluids: Increase the amount of water and fruit juices (minimum of 2-3 glasses) that your child drinks each day.
Increasing fiber: Increase the amounts of fruits and vegetables that your child eats. Raw, unpeeled fruits and vegetables (especially beans, sweet potatoes, peas, turnip greens, raw tomatoes and corn) have the most fiber. Popcorn also has lots of fiber in it. Give enough grams of fiber to equal their age in years plus 5 each day (check the nutritional label for high fiber foods and snacks with at least 3-4g of fiber per serving). Vegetable soups are especially high in fiber and also add more fluid to your child’s diet. Increase bran in your child’s diet by offering bran cereals, bran muffins, shredded wheat, graham crackers, or whole wheat bread.
Decreasing constipating foods: The foods most notorious in causing constipation include cow’s milk, yogurt, cheese, cooked carrots, and bananas. Drinking too much milk (your child may only be drinking 2-3 cups a day, but it may be too much for his system to handle) is heavily associated with having constipation. Switching to soy milk has been shown to soften stools. If your child is unable to drink milk, then give them a multivitamin or another sources of calcium (such as calcium fortified orange juice).
Adults are most often recommended to eat more fruits, vegetables, and grains, drink plenty of water and other, non-caffeinated, non-alcoholic fluids, exercise, listen to their bodies (i.e., go when you need to go), and only use laxatives if their doctor recommends it. As for exercise, you don’t have to “work out. A nice, leisurely half-hour stroll every day might do the trick. Of course, my grandpa always swore by good, old-fashioned prune juice.
The following foods contain high levels of fiber (as outlined by the National Institute of Mental Health – NIMH):
Fruit:
– Apples
– Peaches
– Raspberries
– Tangerines
Vegetables:
– Acorn squash, raw
– Broccoli, raw
– Brussels sprouts, raw
– Cabbage, raw
– Carrots, raw
– Cauliflower, raw
– Spinach, cooked
– Zucchini, raw
Breads, Cereals, and Beans:
– Black-eyed peas, cooked
– Kidney beans, cooked
– Lima beans, cooked
– Whole-grain cereal, cold (All-Bran, Total, Bran Flakes)
– Whole-grain cereal, hot (oatmeal, Wheatena)
– Whole-wheat or 7-grain bread
Lifestyle Changes
Some people claim that chiropractic spine realignment can alleviate constipation, while others suggest practicing yoga. Others swear that “colon cleansing, known variously as “colon hydrotherapy, “colonics, and “colon irrigation will permanently relieve constipation. Biofeedback has proven to be effective on women with chronic constipation, while tests of acupuncture treatments have been inconclusive.
Regular exercise is recommended to encourage regular bowel movements, which should be no surprise since exercise is essential for proper body functioning. The normal recommendation of 30 minutes of exercise at least 3 days a week will help produce proper contractions of the colon muscles to reduce constipation. Simple exercise such as a brisk walk can help tremendously, while more intense exercise will help even more.
In addition to changing your diet and increasing exercise, hemorrhoids can be prevented by practicing better posture and wearing looser clothing (including underwear). Tight clothing can contribute to irritation and poor muscle tone, which promotes the development of hemorrhoids. Reducing the time spent “on the throne can assist as well, as prolonged periods of standing or sitting can also spell out a recipe for hemorrhoids.
Hemorrhoid sufferers should avoid using laxatives and limit the time spent straining during bowel movements. Though not as “comfortable, if you stand over the toilet, knees slightly bent, straining can be reduced by using the muscles of the abdomen to expel feces.
Note: Statements in this article may not be approved by the FDA, and should not be considered as professional medical advice.
