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Natural Stool Softeners

The home remedies for constipation advised on in this article are of personal

interest! For as long as I can remember I have been a “victim” of this

condition; and have firsthand experience of how utterly miserable this

condition can make one feel…

I won’t bore you with elaborating on each of the many causes of

constipation; suffice to say the most common culprits are:

Daily diet lacks enough fiber and fluids

Not getting enough exercise

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Stress

Some medications (painkillers like ibuprofen and aspirin when used

regularly; antidepressants like Prozac and Elavil – use gentle stool

softeners when you experience constipation when taking these

medications)

Sweeteners

Foods that cause constipation include chocolate (ouch!), green

bananas (2 ripe bananas between meals may bring constipation relief),

too much cheese, too many eggs and black tea

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I assume you are here because you, like me, prefer natural constipation

remedies…In no particular order, here are some of the most powerful

constipation remedies for quick relief:

For quick constipation relief mix 2 tablespoons molasses into 8 oz milk

or prune juice (100% natural stool softener) and drink. Molasses is

high in calories; subsequently not recommended for daily use.

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Another home remedy for constipation which many fellow sufferers

recommend is olive oil. For fast constipation relief drink ½ cup straight

(ugh!) or mix with any juice. Within 2 hours olive oil will proof to be

one of your “run to” quick constipation remedies!

A tasty cure for constipation is honey, regarded a mild laxative. You

can either take 1 tablespoon 3 times daily neat or mixed into a glass of

warm water. If however you need something stronger, consider adding

1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar to the mix.

One or two teaspoons castor oil on empty stomach is the best remedy

for constipation if you can wait about 8 hours for relief…

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Whole flax seed (linseed) is a constipation solution which can be

“incorporated” into your diet. Just add 1 tablespoon to your cereal or

smoothie; alternatively, eat 1 tablespoon three times daily.

Constipation and bloating at times go hand in hand. Typical reasons for

constipation and bloating are food intolerances (gluten in rye, barley and

wheat), stress, menstruation (some bloating or cramping is quite normal),

etc. Bloating essentially is a buildup of too much gas (gas is part and parcel

of the normal digestive process). When we eat, drink and chew, we swallow

a lot of air, especially when we drink fizzy drinks and laugh and talk while we

eat.

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A delicate balance of the bacteria keeps the digestive system regular and

smooth running. An imbalance caused by factors such as poor diet, stress,

medication, etc. results in fewer good bacteria in the gut, known as

dysbiosis.

As you remedy constipation, you will essentially also get rid of bloating.

Some bloating remedies you can try to get rid of both bloating and

constipation include:

Foods rich in potassium (potassium helps to regulate the body’s

fluid balance) such as mangoes, tomatoes, nuts, bananas,

asparagus and mangoes

Refrain from drinking through a straw, talking, laughing, smoking,

etc. while eating (these activities cause you to swallow excess air)

Do not eat bread or pasta before bedtime, they may cause water

retention

Refrain from drinking fizzy drinks

Artificial sweeteners, particularly sorbitol, (found in many sugar-

free gums and candies), are digested with difficulty by some

people. Avoid these if you suspect you may be one of them

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If you tend to swell up before and during menstruation, ensure your

daily intake of 1200 mg calcium and 200-400 mg magnesium

respectively is adhered to as these minerals greatly relieve PMS

symptoms, i.e. bloating

Freshly chopped parsley added to meals is a natural diuretic

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We need to learn how to prevent constipation. Actually, this is a simple as

123, and natural remedies for constipation are:

1. Drink between 6 and 8 glasses of water daily (natural stool softener

which helps in moving the fecal matter down the digestive tract)

2. Foods that make you poop are rich in fiber! The daily recommendation

for women is 25 grams; for men 38 grams, or 14 grams/1000 calories.

Veggies such as beans, cabbage and broccoli, fruits like apples,

prunes, avocados, figs, grapes, pears, pineapples and pears, as well as

whole grain foods are great sources of fiber. Keep in mind that fiber

only will not keep you regular, drinking water and getting enough

exercise is part and parcel of keeping stool soft

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3. Get some exercise. Walking, cycling, swimming, running, yoga, etc for

constipation relief should become a daily routine which can greatly

prevent constipation most of the time

Avoid constipation by observing the above. These simple measures can

effectively cure constipation; taking the necessary actions is up to you…

Constipation in toddlers (children between ages 1 and 3) is something

I had to deal with myself. How do you know your toddler is constipated?

The signs usually are small, hard and dry pellets, difficulty in passing stool (accompanied by pain) and infrequency in bowel movements (more

than 2 days between stools). Toddler constipation is generally caused by

the following:

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A diet which includes too much constipating foods like bananas,

cooked carrots or squash, dairy products like cheese, yogurt, ice cream and milk (should be limited to 2-3 six ounce cups a day).

For natural constipation relief you can boil 2-3 tablespoons of

flax seeds in 2 cups (500 ml) of water for about 10 minutes.

Water down the mixture if it becomes too thick and mix with

your child’s milk for a natural stool softener. Taking in too little fluids can cause hard stool. If your child’s

urine is not a pale clear yellow, start giving him/her more

liquids. I used to dilute fruit juice with water; plain water is

much better though as fruit juice can spoil their appetite and also cause tooth decay (limit juice intake to 4 ounces daily). It

teaches the child to drink water from a young age which is

crucial to a healthy lifestyle.

Children, as is the case with adults, need exercise to move food through the digestive tract. Encourage exercise by walking,

running or playing with your child.

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Stool holding: Resisting the urge to go to the toilet; quite

common in toddlers. Reasons for holding stool may include a

change in routine, busy playing, scared of public facilities, etc.

Foods to relieve constipation in your toddler are those high in fiber and

include fruits (prunes, apples, grapes, pears) and veggies (peas, green

beans, and broccoli). Wholegrain bread, crackers and cereal, lots of fluids

and adequate exercise are all natural cures for constipation in toddlers.

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Start a routine of potty time. For 5-10 minutes after each meal sit your child

down on the potty and make yourself comfortable with him/her by either

chatting or reading a book to your child. This should create a calm

atmosphere where your child can relax and let nature take its course. Do not

force your child to stay on the potty if he/she doesn’t want to; the child may

start to think of the toilet as punishment.

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Medication which can help soften the stool may be suggested. I myself have

used a glycerin suppository for constipation on occasion (it stimulates the

rectum; assisting in passing stool) for my child; other over-the-counter

medications include a lubricant such as a mineral oil for constipation or

laxatives for constipation if your child suffers from acute constipation.

In closing: There are times when constipation is accompanied by symptoms

which are cause for concern. If your constipation condition started recently

(acute constipation), or when you experience any of the following

symptoms, i.e. abdominal pain and cramps, rectal bleeding, nausea and

vomiting, weight loss, etc. seek immediate medical advice, as it may be

indicative of a serious medical condition!. Chronic constipation (long term)

can usually be cured with simple preventive actions such as those discussed

in this article.

Hey, my name is Sonia. I research minor illnesses, striving to bring

you the best treatment solutions which won’t cost you an arm and a

leg. For the full article on natural stool softeners as well as

treatment options for a hangover, acne, sore throat, overactive

bladder, canker sores, etc. visit sicknessnhealth.

If however you believe laughter is the best medicine, get your daily

dose of medicine here…

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