If you thought talking to your primary care physician about your constipation is embarrassing, imagine how embarrassed you may feel asking the associates at a nutrition and supplement store may be?

In either case, neither the doctor nor the vitamin and supplement expert are going to look at you funny or be disgusted by talking about your constipation issues. In fact, the sooner you talk to either the quicker you will find relief from your constipation.

Supplements for constipation is just as much a specialty for the vitamin and supplement store employee as telling a body builder which protein shake is best for him. So, leave your inhibitions at the door and open your eyes to a healthy way to deal with chronic or occasional constipation.

What’s Causing Your Constipation?

If you suffer from constipation you should first try to think of what could be causing your constipation. Many causes of constipation exist, such as a poor diet, inadequate consumption of water, low fiber intake, using medications that may cause constipation, and even inactivity can cause constipation.

But, if none of these apply to you; you may want to consider speaking to your doctor. An underlying medical condition could be the cause of constipation for you.

In case you were not aware, health professionals suggest men have a minimum intake of 38 grams of fiber per day and 26 grams for women. Tally up what your average intake has been and you may quickly answer your question of “why am I constipated.” Fiber supplements for constipation are not the only types you need for proper colon health.

If you have ever taken strong antibiotics before, then you know the havoc that can be unleashed on your digestive system. Either constipation or extreme diarrhea is common occurrences when taking strong antibiotics.

Natural Supplements for Constipation

So, with that being said, you may understand the concept that taking supplements for constipation in the form of probiotics will make more sense. Probiotics, such as lactobacillus acidophilus adjusts the intestinal flora and aides in a better digestive tract and helps to keep the stool moving inside your bowels.

Vitamin C isn’t just a vitamin to take to help with immunity, but is also has some mild laxative properties as well. You can gain relief from hemorrhoids as well with Vitamin C. Constipation and hemorrhoids tend to go hand-in-hand for some people, so this is one of the good supplements for constipation because you can treat more than one ailment with it.

Using supplements for constipation is often a healthy choice. Most all vitamins or other forms of supplements not only cure one thing, but often are helpful for a variety of other reasons. Supplements for constipation can also help boost immunity, increase circulation, digestion, and even help with your urinary tract.

Speak with your nutritional supplement specialist and he or she will be able to tell you the right amount of supplements for constipation is appropriate and safe for you.

Some people do not trust using herbs for constipation or for any reason whatsoever. The main reason is because the FDA has not approved many of these natural remedies for many ailments you may have.

Some people fear the use of herbs for constipation or for anything else is due to the horror stories they have heard. Many people have blamed herbs for causing serious side effects of even death. In reality, if people would look at the whole picture, the reason these people incurred horrible side effects or died by using herbs is because they weren’t fully informed about the herbs. The same thing can happen with over the counter medication and prescription medication as well.

If you decide to start using herbs for constipation relief or for other ailments, you must first study them and you are encouraged to speak with an herbal expert at your local health food store. These people will be able to help you to not only find the right herbs, but the best herbal remedies for you.

Herbal Teas for Constipation

Stimulant herbal teas are popular for the herbal relief of constipation. When taken at the appropriate dosage, certain herbal teas can not only cure occasional constipation but can also control the reoccurrence of constipation. As with any other stimulant, you have to be careful not to allow your body to be addicted to the herbs.

Any type of overuse of stimulant laxatives, whether from herbs for constipation or from over-the-counter pills can weaken the digestive tract and your intestines will not know how to work properly without the herbs or laxatives. It is almost as if the intestines have forgotten how to work.

Drinking these herbal tea concoctions can be good for you and can be a great source of herbs for constipation relief. But you should only consume them when you are constipated and in moderation. Ever heard the saying “too much of a good thing”, well that stands true in drinking herbal teas to cure constipation. As said before, relying too heavily on any laxative method to cure constipation can be harmful to your digestive system.

You may have noticed that no specific “herb” has been mentioned when speaking of herbal teas. The reason is because some herbal tea concoctions have recently come under fire from the FDA because of their dangerous amounts of different herbs.

Herbal teas are not all created equal, before using herbs for constipation, speak with a licensed herbalist. He or she will be able to tell you the specific herbs for you, your height, weight, and so on. These herbal teas can be very safe and can cure constipation but you need to respect the herbs at the same time.

Yes they are from nature, but not all of them were meant to be ingested and the wrong mixture of herbs; just as the wrong mixture of prescription medication, can be dangerous.
Herbs for constipation can be effective, efficient, safe, and inexpensive but only under the guidance of a professional herbalist.

Many people would much rather head to the pharmacy section to find stool softener cures when the best cure for hard stool is on the other side of the store. Natural stool softeners are often more effective, safer, and less expensive than stool softeners found in the pharmacy section of the store.

Natures best stool softener is actually water. The trick to having softer stools is to drink at least 8 full glasses of pure water a day. Soft drinks do have water in them of course, but the sodium count takes away from the good impact water can have for the digestive system. Therefore, adding more water to your daily diet is one of the great natural stool softeners.

Most people know by now that fiber is important in your diet to avoid hard stools and constipation. The problem is people don’t know where to find the fiber. Television commercials are inundated with new food products that have fiber added to them. Although this is a great idea to get more fiber in more people, but most of these products contain high amounts of sodium and fat that the nutritional value of the product is lessened, meaning the fiber content is not as effective.

Before you begin adding natural stool softeners to your diet, you need to know the risks. These aren’t the dangerous types of risks you might encounter with synthetic stool softeners, but all the same you need to be aware that your body may be sensitive to these natural stool softeners and instead of having softer stools, you end up with watery stools or diarrhea. So, start off with your new style of eating in moderation.

Plums and plum juices are good choices for natural stool softeners. Eating plums or drinking plum juice work to soften the stool. The high content of fiber as well as the sorbitol in the plums acts as a natural laxative as well as a one of the natural stool softeners you can find at the grocery store.

You can start your morning off the right way with bran cereals such as Raisin Bran, All-Bran, and Fiber One. These cereals contain soluble fiber and are easily digested. Add some sliced bananas, strawberries, or blueberries to these cereals and your fiber intake is instantly vamped. Not only are these cereal and fruit mixes great natural stool softeners, but are also yummy.

Natural stool softeners can be found all throughout your local grocer and they don’t have to be anywhere near the pharmacy section. Just remember to drink at least 8 glasses of water per day to keep those fiber rich foods moving in your stomach, otherwise the food will just stall in your intestines and you will be constipated, even with all the best efforts to consume natural stool softeners, without enough water, you are trying to soften your stools in vain.

Your Constipation Could Be Caused by What You Don’t Eat

Do you experience the symptoms of constipation frequently? If you answered yes, have you ever taken a good look at the foods you eat each day? Are you on a regular diet, or do you eat as you please? Understanding that your episodes of constipation could be caused by the lack of fiber in your diet can likely help you to look into what the right types of foods to help constipation are.

Many foods contain fiber, but if you are not eating these types of food, then you are likely going to remain prone to constipation. Keeping a food journal of the types of food you eat can generally show you why you are experiencing constipation in the first place. Diets high in dairy products generally cause constipation. Eating foods high in fat may cause loose watery stools or even constipation.

Foods to Help Constipation

The foods to help constipation you should be eating include some basics such as fruits, vegetables, beans, whole grain, and although not a food, plenty of water throughout the day.
Some foods that are high in fiber include whole grains. You can get your whole grains by eating such foods as brown rice, whole grain bread, and ground flaxseed. Even some snack foods, such as Reduced Fat Triscuits can give your diet a boost of fiber.

Breakfast cereals, which many people eat in the morning or as a late night snack, have fiber in them and are good foods for constipation. Recently many brands of cereal have fortified their cereals with fiber and decreased their amounts of sugars to meet new regulations. Look at the labels on the cereal box of your favorite cereal, if it doesn’t contain at least 3 to 4 grams of fiber, you might want to switch to a type with a higher amount of fiber.

Adding fruit to your breakfast, lunch, and nightly snack can help get you closer to the goal of 38 grams of fiber for men and 25 for women each day. Consider adding some strawberries, blueberries, or a banana to your breakfast. Using whole grain bread for your sandwich at lunch, and replacing a snack with some whole grain Triscuits is a good way to add foods for constipation relief to your daily diet.

Foods to help constipation from happening are not hard to find if you simply know what to look for. You now know the daily recommended fiber intake for men and women and some good places to find them. The only thing you need to do now is add those fiber rich foods for constipation relief, drink at least 8 glasses of pure water, and doing at least fifteen to thirty minutes of exercise to your day will work greatly to help with constipation.

Foods to help constipation relief are not only helpful to your digestive tract, but by adding foods with high fiber to your diet, you are also adding many vitamins and nutrients as well. Not only will you be eating good foods for constipation, but also eating foods that are good for blood pressure, circulation, and brain healthy foods as well.

If you are having chronic constipation, you may want to consider adopting a diet for constipation relief. After following a diet such as this for a period of time, you will soon find that you no longer are a chronic sufferer. If, after following a high fiber diet, you still experience frequent constipation; then you may have an underlying medical condition causing the constipation. If this is the case, you should seek medical attention.

Just about any diet for constipation you choose will be a good one if you ensure that you are getting enough fluid (8 glasses of water per day) and enough soluble fiber per day (38 grams for men and 25 grams for women).

A good constipation diet will include whole grains, vegetables, fruits, beans, and of course water. Including carrots, broccoli, raw cabbage, and sweet potatoes can get you closer to your fiber goal. Strawberries, blueberries, prunes, pears, and apples are good choices to add to a diet for constipation. Beans are loaded with fiber and can boost your daily fiber intake twice as much as some fruits and vegetables. Trade in white bread for whole wheat bread and you will get that extra fiber you need to reach your dietary intake of fiber per day.

You can find a pre-made diet for constipation easily, but often times you are more likely to stick to any type of diet if you eat foods that you like. So many foods are high in fiber and your choices are limitless. Just be sure you take into consideration the fats, sugars, sodium, and carbohydrates that some foods contain.

Many breakfast cereals now have higher amounts of fiber in them to meet the demand of people who want to get the daily recommended value of fiber per day. Other breakfast cereals that have always been high in fiber include All-Bran and Raisin Brand. By adding a cup of strawberries or a banana to the cereal; you will have met at least a third of your recommended fiber gram intake and be a third of the way to your diet for constipation goal of 38 grams for men or 25 for women.

At lunch you could have a sandwich with whole wheat bread, a carrot, and apple slices for lunch. This will generally meet that other third of fiber needed to get closer to a full days worth of fiber and a step closer to reaching your fiber intake goal. Be sure that any diet for constipation you make or adopt involves drinking at least 8 glasses of pure water per day. Drinking water throughout the day along with the fiber rich foods will help with your diet for constipation.

Check food labels often and try to buy foods that have a higher count of soluble fiber than others. To top off your fiber intake in the evenings, add vegetables to your plate and possibly a dash of flax seed over the main course.

A healthy diet for constipation will not only help relieve constipation or cure constipation, but will also benefit others parts of your body as well. A high fiber diet automatically adds extra vitamins and nutrients that you may not have had in your previous eating habits.

Best Natural Laxatives

Laxatives aren’t always something you find in the pharmacy section of a retail store. Some of the best laxatives for constipation relief can be found in the produce section.
It should be no surprise that prunes rank in the top best laxatives that are natural. Prunes have an abundant supply of soluble dietary fiber and also rich in other vitamins and nutrients that are good for your overall health. Prunes are a good source of Vitamin A, copper, and potassium.

Flax seed and rhubarb can be considered the best laxatives as well as super laxative. Their bowel moving effects can be quick and efficient in certain amounts and should only be consumed if you are within close walking distance to the nearest restroom. Eating these types of foods for constipation; if only in moderation, can lead to a healthy diet and a healthier you. Consuming large amounts of them will often result in quick relief of constipation.

Cascara and senna are two herbs considered to be the best laxatives. The stronger of the two is senna. These herbs act by aggravating the intestines thus promoting passage of stool in the bowels. These two herbs are generally considered safe for the relief of constipation, but only for short amounts of time. Overuse of senna and cascara can lead to your digestive system being unable to function properly without the herbs. In a sense, your intestines and bowels become addicted to the herbs and cannot work correctly without them.

Best Over the Counter Laxatives

The best laxatives in the over-the-counter category are generally Miralax, Phillips Milk of Magnesia, and several others. In fact, most pharmacies and retail stores dedicate an entire aisle to laxative, stool softeners, and other digestive OTC medications. The choice is yours when it comes to OTC laxatives. Read the labels of each and compare to find the best laxative for your current situation. Miralax, once a prescription, is one of the most popular over-the-counter laxatives available.

Amizita, or the generic name lupiprostone, has been approved by the FDA and is only available with a prescription. This can be considered the best laxative that is prescribed for those with chronic constipation. Amitiza works by softening the stool to make evacuation easier and less painful. Taken twice a day, this prescription laxative has shown to be effective for patients who have suffered from chronic constipation. Of course with every benefit comes a downfall. The common side effects for this prescription laxative include headaches, diarrhea, pain, nausea, and vomiting.

The best laxatives with the fewest side effects and the ones that can be incorporated into a daily diet without ill consequences are fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains. But, for the fastest relief of occasional constipation, you may want to opt for a quick fix from the pharmacy section. The best laxative may be found in the over-the-counter section; use laxatives in moderation due to the harmful effects of overuse to the intestines.

There are many foods for constipation relief and many of them are not only helpful to relieve or avoid constipation, but can also be good for the heart, kidneys, stomach and other parts of the body.

Eating a diet high in fiber is one of the best ways to alleviate or even avoid constipation. Finding fiber rich foods is not as hard as you might think. Prunes and prune juice are not the only foods for constipation relief. One serving of whole grains, such as 1 cup of brown rice can give you 4 grams of fiber. Other whole grains that are rich in fiber are whole grain breads, and flax seed. Eating just nine Reduced-Fat Triscuits can also give you 4 grams of fiber and is considered one of the many foods for constipation that are considered a treat as well.

Many popular brands of cereal contain fiber and many of them have started adding even more fiber to make the cereal healthier for people.  You can get at least 5 grams of fiber from some of the most popular cereals these days. Look on the side of the box and compare cereals. You may be surprised at some of the brands of cereal that you would least suspect contained fiber. Of course such fiber staples as Raisin Brand, All-Bran, and Shredded Wheat contain fiber.

You can add even more fiber to your breakfast by adding certain fruits. One apple contains almost 4 grams of fiber, single banana ads almost 3 grams, and a cup of strawberries yields 3.8 grams of fiber.

By adding some vegetables to your diet, you can increase your fiber intake by at least 4 to 5 grams per serving. Some examples of these vegetables are carrots, sweet potatoes, and broccoli.

Beans are good foods for constipation as they pack a powerful punch of fiber per serving. Some servings can increase your fiber intake by 10 grams of fiber. Refried beans, kidney beans and a variety of other beans can help with constipation as well as be good for your heart and other parts of your body.

You can also find fiber in fiber enriched foods. Many foods are being fortified with fiber to appear healthier for your body and digestive system. Fiber enriched foods for constipation in granola bars, yogurt, milk shakes, and so on. Foods you wouldn’t necessarily think had fiber in them now have fiber being added and are being advertised as the best foods for constipation. Some of these foods are a good source of fiber, but they also contain high counts of carbohydrates, sodium, and fat.

The best foods for constipation relief will always be natural foods such as fruits, vegetables, and grains. But, many people do not like these sorts of food and would benefit, in part, by consuming the newly fiber fortified foods mentioned earlier.

Many people know that simple over-the-counter laxatives or drinking prune juice can help with constipation.  Other things that can help with constipation include more dietary fiber, an increase in water consumption, and exercise to relieve constipation.

There is also a new emerging trend to help people with constipation called the constipation massage.  If you are thinking about what to do for constipation; this method may be the right one for you.

Of course the constipation massage should be done by a professional because there are some do’s and don’ts of massage and constipation massage in particularly. The massage therapist will massage the abdomen always from right to left by kneading, pressing, and other massage techniques.

This can be rather expensive and finding a massage therapist skilled in constipation massage may be hard to come by in your area.

Reasons to Avoid A Constipation Massage

But, if massage for constipation is something you believe is the best answer for what to do for constipation, then at least learn some of the “don’ts” of this type of massage.

• Don’t have abdominal massage for constipation two or three hours after eating. The bladder should also be emptied prior to starting the massage to relieve constipation.
• Don’t have constipation relief massage therapy during pregnancy or during menstruation. Other options for what do to for constipation should be considered during these times. For pregnant women, the abdominal massage could pose a threat to the fetus and during menstruation the woman will likely experience pain or discomfort during the massage.
• Don’t seek constipation massage therapy if you have a hernia, stomach ulcers, or have hypertension.
• Although it should go without saying, but if you have bleeding of the brain, lungs, or stomach, you too should avoid this type of massage therapy. Massages can positively affect the body and can also negatively impact the body. If you already have a major medical condition, you should always seek the medical advice from a physician before receiving abdominal massage as the answer to what to do for constipation.

From all the “don’ts” mentioned above, you may wonder why this therapy is even suggested as an answer for what to do for constipation. But, many people have opted for this specific type of massage therapy to relieve the symptoms of constipation and it has worked for them.

To many people, the idea of constipation massage therapy has probably never crossed their mind. Once you decide you want to try this massage to relieve constipation, be sure the massage therapist is skilled in constipation massage and be sure to avoid this method as a solution if you are experiencing any of the above “don’ts”.

What causes constipation for one person may not be the same for another.  However, there is a basic formula that will inevitably cause most people to have constipation.

Inadequate Water Consumption

One of the most common causes of constipation is not drinking enough water each day. You may drink three cups of coffee in the morning and four sodas during the day but, there is a difference between water and “fluids”.

Some people have the misconception that because the beverage is water based, then it must be considered water. It is true that coffee and sodas and other beverages contain water. The problem with considering these other beverages as an adequate amount of water intake is because these drinks include sodium and other ingredients that take away from the water impact.

In fact, you can become dehydrated even though you are drinking something all day. This is because the drinks that contain large amounts of sodium and other ingredients can impede the body from absorbing the water correctly and can be what causes constipation for you or water retention. It is important that you drink 8 glasses of “water” per day.

Some Medications Can Cause Constipation

What causes constipation for you could be the medication you take for other ailments. Narcotic pain relievers are a common cause of hard stools and difficulty with bowel movements.  If you must take narcotic pain medication for a chronic pain condition, you should speak with your doctor to find healthy ways to avoid constipation.
Antacids that contain calcium or aluminum can cause constipation for some, but as always, what causes constipation for some might not affect others at all.

Lifestyle Factors Can Cause Constipation

Leading a sedentary lifestyle can lead to constipation. The body needs movement and exertion to perform properly. Physical activity increases the heart rate and speeds up metabolism as well as aides in the proper digestion of foods and gets the stool moving in your bowels.

Becoming more active could decrease constipation symptoms. Being inactive could be just one of the causes of constipation.

The Role of Gender and Age with Constipation

Studies have shown that women and the elderly to be the most prone to episodes of constipation. Hormonal levels and an inactive and unhealthy lifestyle could be what causes constipation for some women. Women, just as men, are often times more prone to certain medical conditions for a variety of reasons.

Hypothyroidism is one probable cause of constipation and hypothyroidism is more common in women and the elderly than it is for men. Some things just cannot be controlled, but there are things that women and the elderly can do to be less prone to constipation.

Increasing fluid intake, being more active, and being treated for hypothyroidism are all ways that this group can relieve constipation.

Constipation is a fairly common ailment and at some point most of us have an episode or two of constipation. What causes constipation may very well answer the question of why you are constipated.

Many people have suffered from the symptoms of constipation to the point where their symptoms have now been diagnosed as chronic constipation. The treatment for constipation is not always a one-size-fits-all method. Some people with constipation need to try several different methods to control constipation before finding the right treatment for constipation that suits them.

Some natural ways to alleviate constipation requires some lifestyle changes on the part of the constipation sufferer. Increasing physical activity can help the body to better digest food and increase the functioning of the bowels to make stool elimination easier.

Some people can find relief of constipation just by increasing their fluid intake and doing some exercise daily.

An alternative treatment for constipation may involve the use of herbs to find constipation relief. Not all herbs have been evaluated by the FDA and use of herbs as treatment for constipation or any other ailment should be studied before attempting.

• Ginger tea and senna leaf tea in lukewarm water along with sour lemon and honey is favored by herbalist for the relief of constipation. This treatment may cause a rather fast relief of constipation so this treatment of constipation should be used only when in the comfort of your own home.
• Dried isabgol husk that is soaked in milk or water should be taken at night according to herbalist as one of the most tried and tested treatment for constipation.
• Some herbalists recommend consuming a teaspoon of virgin coconut oil prior to sleep. This method is intended to cause a bowel movement by morning.
• Some over-the-counter laxatives, stool softeners, and other bowel stimulant treatment of constipation have been on the shelves for a very long time. If you opt to use OTC stimulants to treat constipation, you have to be careful not to become overly dependent on the OTC treatment. Overuse of laxatives can lead to a weakened digestive system that can be more of a medical problem than the original problem of constipation.

Prescription treatment for constipation is only used temporarily. These prescription aides are generally used only when a person is suffering from a severe case of constipation.
The best treatment for constipation for you may not be the same for someone else. Some people do not believe that herbs are safe while others think that synthetic medication is equally dangerous.

The goal is to relieve constipation and whether your treatment for constipation involves natural remedies, alternative methods, store bought or prescription medication; the main goal is to relieve constipation and to be safe.