Home Remedies for Constipation

Constipation is something that we all experience from time to time, and luckily, for some, it is something that passes (no pun intended) quickly.

For others, constipation may last way too long, way beyond comfort, but there are home remedies that may help your constipation relief.

What Causes Constipation?

Constipation is when the stool – or waste – moves very slowly through your digestive tract, making elimination from the rectum difficult.

Your bowel movements may be difficult and/or occur less often than usual. When you are finally able to have a bowel movement, the stool may be dry and hard, particularly after three days or more. This can also make the removal of waste painful.

There can be many reasons that constipation occurs. They include:

Changes in activities and what you eat
Colon cancer
Eating disorders
Excess calcium in the blood
Irritable bowel syndrome
Laxatives (too many)
Medications (such as antacids, antidepressants, iron pills, or narcotics)
Nerve and muscle issues in the digestive system
Neurological conditions (such as multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease)
Not enough fiber or water in your diet
Pregnancy
Resisting the urge to poop
Stress
Too much dairy
Underactive thyroid

Symptoms of Constipation

The following are symptoms you may experience during constipation:

Bloating
The feeling of not eliminating wastes completely during bowel movement
Fewer bowel movements
Small or hard stools
Strain to have a bowel movement

Home Remedies for Constipation Relief

Constipation, for many, usually passes in a short time. To make that time run its course even more quickly, here are some remedies you can try at home to help ease your constipation:

Add fruit and vegetables to your diet
Drink More Water – two to four extra glasses per day are suggested
Drink warm liquids in the morning - such as caffeinated coffee for example
Eat more fiber – such as more bran cereal and prunes
Do more exercise – at least 30 minutes per day
Go take a poop – even take a laxative if it will help (but be careful, especially if taking laxatives previously may have been the culprit of your current constipation)
Avoid Dairy Products – cutting back on milk and other dairies will help
Senna – Senna, a laxative, relieves occasional constipation in children and adults
Castor oil – take a dose during the day (you can chill in the refrigerator or mix with fruit juice to mask the taste).
Medicine – lubricants, stool softeners, stimulants, and other laxatives may help ease your constipation

This list just represents a few remedies. There are many others to try at home that will assist with your constipation relief, such as a warm bath and massage.

When to talk to a doctor

If you begin to experience belly pain or cramping with your constipation, you should reach out to your doctor. Other reasons to contact your doctor include:

Blood in your stool
Constipation has lasted more than two weeks
Severe pain during bowel movements
If the consistency, size, or shape of your stool has dramatically changed
Unable to pass gas or poop

To find the cause of your constipation, the doctor may run the following tests:

Blood tests – to check hormone levels
Colonoscopy – to check for blockages in your colon
Tests that check muscles in the anus or tests to check how waste moves through and out of the colon

Final words on constipation relief

Constipation in adults is an unsettling feeling, so imagine how it feels in your children.

If your babies or children are experiencing constipation, some of these same home remedies can work for them as well, particularly the more natural, healthy, and regular routines. They include: