Everyone is different, but on average you should have a bowel movement at least once every day. There aren’t many things worse than having bathroom issues, and for many, it’s one of those topics that is not easily talked about. Constipation can occur one of two ways: 1. when the colon absorbs too much water, or 2. when the muscles in the colon contract poorly or too slow, thus causing the bowel to move much slower and lose more water. This causes a very uncomfortable stomach and can be quite painful if left untreated.
Some side effects of constipation include hard or small stools, bodily distress, and possible rectal bleeding. Many factors can contribute to constipation issues, such as medications, poor diet, hormonal imbalances and many others.
A number of remedies are said to help relieve and prevent constipation issues. So before you go reaching for those over-the-counter laxatives, explore some of the items you have lying around the house. Some of the most commonly practiced remedies for constipation and bathroom problems include dandelion leaves, Epsom salt, baking soda, flaxseed oil, increased fiber intake, and much more.
If you’re not sure where to start, here’s a top ten list of some of the best at-home constipation remedies.
10. Try Squatting or Using a Stool
The way your body is angled while using the bathroom has a lot to do with how easily your bowel can pass. If you’re having trouble going, try squatting; it’s actually the more natural way the body recognizes that you have to go. Some companies even sell special stools that fit right around the bottom edge of your toilet to put your feet up in a more comfortable position to go.
9. Get Yourself on a Schedule
Maintaining a proper bathroom schedule trains your body to regulate its bowel movements. This may take some time for your body to catch on but essentially will make your bathroom issues much less stressful. To start, all you have to do is set aside about ten to fifteen minutes a few times each day to try and get things moving. It’s important to stay relaxed, and don’t worry if nothing happens the first couple days of trying this; your body will eventually pick up on it.
8. Take Part in Some Exercise
So there isn’t an exact reason that supports why this works, but getting a bit of exercise can help aid constipation. A lot of us may have sedentary jobs and find ourselves sitting in a chair for the majority of the day. It’s assumed that the body in motion helps to get the colon muscles moving too. There are even special workouts and stretching you can do to relieve constipation. Some common exercises that are practiced include certain yoga positions, such as the Virasana (hero’s pose), and aerobic exercises like dancing, running or jogging, swimming and more.
