It might be a fun topic for stand-up comedians, but it is one of the most troublesome issues to solve for those facing this trouble. Constipation can be annoying and sometimes painful. In addition, it is often accompanied by gas and abdominal pain.
Constipation is a common condition affecting all age groups. Simple lifestyle modifications can help relieve the symptoms of constipation. Home remedies have been used for ages to relieve and manage constipation. However, in some cases, constipation can be a sign of a severe underlying condition. It is normal to feel embarrassed to talk about constipation. Therefore, you must go to see a doctor if your constipation is bad or the symptoms don’t improve.1,2
if you wish to know more about constipation symptoms, remedies and associated lifestyle changes, continue reading!
Did you know?
You feel constipated when your stool is hard, dry and difficult to pass. A few common causes of constipation are:
Other causes of constipation are
Toddlers can get constipated when they are starting with solid foods. Older children can become constipated when they hold in bowel movements.2
In my experience chronic constipation leads to painful defecation, which further leads to fear of passing stools which in turn becomes a vicious cycle especially in children. So pain control is very important in children. Contact your doctor for the same.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD
If you experience the following signs, you may be suffering from constipation.
Guava fruit, also known as Amrood in Hindi, is commonly used in many Indian households. Guava fruit is effective in many health conditions. It may be used as a good source of many nutrients. It may act as a laxative (help facilitate bowel movement). You can consume fresh guava to ease constipation.4
Consuming dates might help you strengthen the digestive system and relieve constipation. In the morning, you can take five to six fresh dates with ghee and black pepper powder. It should be followed by a glass of lukewarm water. This practice may help you relieve constipation.4
Consuming black grams may help people with irregular bowel habits, facilitate bowel movements and help irregular bowel movements. Fry some black gram seeds and grind them into a fine powder. You can take this powder with buttermilk to relieve constipation.4
Betel leaves may help aid digestion, and facilitate the secretion of digestive juices, bloating and gas. Betel leaf may also help relieve constipation. Chewing on some fresh betel leaves after every meal may help in digestion and relieve constipation.4
Indian cinnamon or tej patra is a common kitchen herb used in Indian households. Adding tej patra to your foods and dishes may help relieve indigestion and constipation. You can take tej patra in the form of tea. To make tej patra tea, you can boil some leaves in water for a few minutes.4 Strain the mixture in a cup, and your tea is ready to drink.
The leaves of bottle gourd or dudhi might show laxative properties. You can use fresh leaves of a bottle gourd to help relieve constipation. Prepare chutney using the fresh leaves. This chutney can be taken along with food.4
Castor is a common medicinal plant used for a variety of conditions. It might help relieve constipation. The roots of castor can be used along with milk. Take some dried castor root and grind it into a fine powder. Mix this powder with a glass of milk. Boil this mixture and reduce it to half of its initial volume. Drink this mixture to relieve constipation.4
You can make these lifestyle changes to relieve constipation.
Following a diet rich in fibre may help relieve and prevent constipation. You can talk to your dietician or healthcare provider and plan a diet including a variety of fibre-rich meals. Also, you need to gradually add a little fibre to your diet to ensure your body gets used to digesting it. Some familiar sources of fibre include
You should drink more water to facilitate bowel movements and prevent dry stools. Apart from water, you can drink fruit and vegetable juices and clear soups. Drinking enough water and other beverages will help you avoid dehydration and relieve constipation.5
Regular exercise is good for bowel mobility. You need to exercise every day for at least 30 minutes. If you have irregular bowel mobility, you must be as active as possible without overdoing it. Exercising regularly may be an excellent way to manage your symptoms and also prevent constipation.3
Fibre intake is important to relieve constipation. If you wish to relieve or avoid constipation, you must avoid the foods which have low or zero fibre content.5
Though studies show the benefits of the given herbs and home remedies in constipation, these are insufficient. Therefore, there is a need for large-scale human studies to establish the true extent of the benefits of these home remedies on human health. Thus, these should only be taken cautiously and never as a substitute for medical treatment.
You must call your healthcare provider and seek medical help if you
You must not rely on home remedies alone for the treatment of constipation. You should consult a qualified doctor for any advice for the condition if the symptoms do not improve with home remedies.
Also Read: Natural Laxatives: Your Guide to Safe and Effective Remedies for Constipation
Constipation is a common but painful condition that may interfere with your daily activities. Home remedies and lifestyle changes can help manage and relieve your symptoms. Common kitchen ingredients like black gram, bay leaf, castor, guava and dates may be used as natural remedies for constipation. Increasing water and fibre intake in diet coupled with regular exercise are other effective ways to manage constipation. However, if your symptoms don’t improve and you are unable to pass a bowel movement for a continuous three days, reach out to your healthcare provider. Constipation can also signify severe underlying health issues requiring medical attention, which is why it is crucial to seek professional opinion instead of self-medicating and relying on home remedies.
Also Read: Yoga for Constipation: Effective Poses for Digestive Relief
There are many herbs and ingredients that may be used as a constipation cure at home. For example, you may use ingredients like betel leaves, bay leaves, dates, black grams and castor at home to relieve constipation and facilitate bowel movement.4 These ingredients can be a part of your daily diet through foods and recipes. However, you must not rely only on home remedies to cure your symptoms. Make sure to consult a doctor if the symptoms don’t improve.
Constipation left untreated for an extended period might increase the risk of developing anal fissures (a tear in the anus that may cause pain and bleeding) and haemorrhoids (piles).2
In most cases, constipation symptoms improve with home remedies and lifestyle changes. However, constipation could also be a sign of an underlying health condition. If you experience symptoms like nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, gas, blood in stools, and lack of bowel movement for three days, you need to consult your healthcare provider and get treated.1,2
Drinking more water may help you facilitate bowel movements and make the stool easier to pass. This may help relieve constipation. Drinking water may be an effective way to manage your symptoms and avoid dehydration.5 However, if your symptoms do not improve and you experience constipation for three days straight, don’t hesitate to reach out to your healthcare provider.1
1. MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. Constipation – self-care [Internet]. [cited 2022 Jul 18]. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000120.htm
2. Healthdirect. Constipation: symptoms and treatment [Internet]. [cited 2022 Jul 18]. Available from: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/constipation#causes
3. Better Health Channel. Constipation [Internet]. [cited 2022 Jul 18]. Available from: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/constipation
4. Ayush Division. Ayurveda offering Herbal healing. Available from: https://www.esic.nic.in/attachments/publicationfile/7d11b02e5abb4717d53b4ce05efabd21.pdf
5. Eating, Diet, & Nutrition for Constipation | NIDDK [Internet]. [cited 2022 Jul 19]. Available from: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/constipation/eating-diet-nutrition
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
It would be surprising to know that not everyone has the same bowel movement and not necessarily you should have a daily bowel movement. As per the study, a person going 3 times a day or 3 times a week, both are considered to be normal. Lesser than this is termed constipation. Yes, the reality is that the frequency depends on person to person.
Did you know? As per the recent survey done in 2018, 22% of Indian adults suffer from constipation.
It was also observed that constipation now is just not an elderly problem, but occurs among middle-aged and young aged population too.
Here are the most common causes of constipation:
| Top Causes of Constipation |
| Eating foods or having a diet that is low in fibre |
| Not consuming sufficient water during the day |
| Experiencing a change in routine such as meal time changes, travelling, sleep time changes |
| Consuming a lot of milk or dairy products |
| Not going to the toilet despite having the urge |
| Poor stress management |
| Medications like painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs, antidepressants, iron supplements |
| Medical conditions like thyroid issues, diabetes, IBS, lazy bowel syndrome, an obstruction in the digestive tract, fistulas and pregnancy |
Constipation is defined as passing hard, dry stools for not more than three bowel movements a week. Or in simple words, any decrease in the frequency or consistency that’s out of your regular norm can be a sign of constipation.
Constipation may sound like a very simple problem to tackle, but for a person suffering is a highly uncomfortable time. Due to constipation, there may be loss of appetite, bloating, stomach ache, irritability and thus it is very important to follow these 7 easy home remedies to cure constipation.
Apart from the frequency of bowel movements, here are a few other signs to watch for to know if you are constipated:
| Signs of Constipation |
| Less than 3 bowel movements in a week |
| When you do have a bowel movement, the stools are hard and dry |
| Experiencing pain or difficulty in passing stools, needing to exert more effort |
| Stomach aches and cramps |
| Nausea, bloating and feeling full |
| Not emptying completely even when you do have a bowel movement |
Castor oil is considered to be the natural laxative to treat constipation. It is an age-old remedy, but scientists have now shown interest in the exact mechanism of how it works. It is been discovered that castor oil contains the main fatty acid called ricinoleic acid, which binds to the smooth muscle cells of the intestinal walls and this causes the muscle to contract and leads to the passing of the stool smoothly. One of the studies has also confirmed castor oil benefits in treating chronic constipation among adults. The normal dosage to treat constipation is observed to be between 10 – 15 ml, but we strongly advise you to seek your doctor for any medical advice.
Read more about: 8 Simple Health Benefits of Almond Oil That You Should Know!
Water is one of the simple remedies for many of our ailments. One should drink water regularly to keep running your bowel perfectly all right. Water helps with the proper digestion process and also helps with muscle movement. And many times, due to weather changes dehydration can happen and that can be one of the major causes of constipation. Drinking lukewarm water can help you keep your bowel movements work and help pass stools smoothly.
Grab a cup of coffee when you are down with constipation. Coffee is shown to stimulate your colon and help make your trip to the bathroom a successful one. One coffee in the morning can help relieve the pressure. Coffee again is a diuretic, so do not forget to sip in water between regular intervals to avoid dehydration.
It is the quickest and oldest remedy to cure any digestion problems. The baking soda usually pops out the air bubbles trapped which might cause bloating and gas. It is also used to reduce the acidic environment in the stomach to allow the waste byproducts to pass through the digestive system.
This remedy can act as an immediate relief or even help in the long run to prevent constipation. Fibre is the part of the plant material which you cannot digest. It can both provide bulk and softness to the stool. Soluble fibre can help absorb water and binds with fatty acids and forms a gel, this results in softer stools; whereas insoluble fibre does not dissolve in water, thus providing bulk and moisture to the stool. It is recommended to consume a minimum of 20 – 25gms of fibre every day to cure and prevent constipation. For instant relief, mix 1 tablespoon of isabgol (also known as psyllium husk) in lukewarm water and drink first thing in the morning.
Molasses, especially blackstrap molasses are useful to provide instant relief to constipation. 1 tablespoon of blackstrap molasses taken just before bed can help relieve constipation by morning. Blackstrap molasses are nothing, but concentrated molasses with a good amount of vitamins and minerals especially magnesium. Magnesium is a very well-known supplement used for treating constipation. It is known to relax your bowels and pulls water from the intestine. This helps soften your stool and makes it easier to pass it through your colon.
Usually, people suffering from constipation may lack the proper balance of bacteria in their digestive system. Probiotics are friendly bacteria that are known to help improve the digestive system and thus relieve constipation. Include 1 capsule of 10bn of probiotics supplement every day or include 2 cups of homemade curd in your daily diet. This can help to eliminate stools faster and without causing much pain. It will also reduce the digestive transit time.
Exercise can help better the various symptoms of constipation. Having a sedentary lifestyle can increase the chances of experiencing constipation so doctors suggest exercising in order to keep the stool moving. In the first instance, try out some light exercising activities like swimming, jogging or even bicycling to see if it helps. Going overboard with exercising can, on the flip side, cause more constipation.
You can surely try out the aforementioned solutions and ways to better your state if and when suffering from constipation. However, in order to make sure it stays away on a more permanent basis, try out some of the following tips and incorporate them into your daily schedule to see a massive change:
Suffering from chronic constipation can seriously affect your mental peace and also your day-to-day living. If after home remedies and basic treatment, the problem still persists after a week, it would be best advised to visit your doctor. Moreover, if constipation is accompanied by symptoms like dizziness, fatigue, and cramps, immediately go to a doctor.
Constipation seems to be a simple problem, but if not taken care of – it can affect your quality of life. Follow these home remedies under your family or doctor’s guidance and get yourself free from the chain of constipation. Moreover, constipation can sometimes have serious underlying causes like bowel obstructions, metabolic disorders, pelvic prolapse or even colon cancer. Therefore, it should not be ignored under any circumstances.
While home remedies involving ayurvedic and naturopathic forms of treatment may not provide instant relief, they are a long-term solution to problems related to constipation. If left untreated, constipation can cause serious health problems like Hameorroids, Faecal impaction and bowel incontinence. With the help of the aforementioned home remedies, you can commence home treatment for constipation to prevent its serious health implications.
Read more about: 10 Best Foods For A Healthy Gut System.
Q1. What are the possible causes of constipation?
Ans: Some possible causes of constipation are as follows:
Q2. Can fennel seeds help to relieve constipation symptoms?
Ans: Yes, having fennel seed infused tea or having water in which ground fennel seed has been kept or boiled can help soothe your digestive tract and stimulate bowel movement.
Q3. Are there certain foods that can aggravate symptoms of constipation?
Ans: Yes, there are certain foods that make you prone to developing constipation. However, this can vary from individual to individual. These are:
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
