The modern lifestyle has brought with itself many health problems. Constipation has emerged as a disease in every household. This condition is not limited to the inability to passing stools and bloating.
Did you know? The other symptoms of constipation:
- headaches
- acne
- bad breath
- a loss of appetite
- hemorrhoids (in some extreme cases)
- irritability
- mood swings
- dullness
- lack of enthusiasm
- Together, all the symptoms keep one uncomfortably occupied throughout the day!
Say yes to a healthy life
What causes constipation?
According to Ayurveda, constipation is a result of indigestion. This leads to the accumulation of feces in the intestines. Vata (the air element) is produced, manifesting as stomach pain, heaviness and a rise in thirst. So, the critical question is what causes indigestion?
There are a few answers. Some are lifestyle-related: make specific lifestyle tweaks and regain a clean colon. While some of the other reasons are circumstantial-related such as pregnancy, age, and travel.
Following are some lifestyle-related causes of constipation and indigestion:
- Diet: Processed food, alcohol, meat, excessive dairy and a diet lacking fiber are the most common dietary causes of constipation. Remove the constipation-inducing food items, and the chances are that you’ll make your morning bathroom trips happier!
- Insufficient water intake: The food in your intestinal tract needs water to move and reach towards its final destination. Thus, with less consumption of water, you are likely to feel constipated. Drinking sufficient amounts of water (here, water does not mean soft drinks!) is the best natural remedy for constipation.
- Lack of movement: Our sedentary lifestyles are triggers for constipation. The solution lies in including walks and some form of exercise in your routine. The after-dinner walk is especially beneficial in the smooth passage of poop.
Other natural home remedies for constipation:
Tending to your diet, water intake, and physical exercise are effective ways to relieve yourself of constipation. There are some other practical tips and remedies which can aid your journey of constipation-relief:
Have one teaspoon of ghee in warm milk at bedtime
Ghee lubricates your intestinal tract and helps in the smooth passage of the feces. If you do not have ghee, there is something else that you can use - which is oil! It works on the same principle as that of ghee. Doctors recommend taking a teaspoon of coconut or olive oil on an empty stomach to relieve constipation
Consume fibrous fruits and leafy vegetables
Leafy vegetables have nutrients which aid in the contraction of the muscles of the intestine. While fibrous fruits increase the bulk of the feces and thereby help in its release.
Consume urine of desi cow
Consuming cow urine is an effective ayurvedic remedy for constipation. According to Ayurveda, cow urine is helpful for constipation, bloating, indigestion, and abdominal colic pain.
If none of these home remedies work for you, it is advisable to consult a doctor. With the help of pulse diagnosis, an Ayurvedic doctor can recommend the right internal medicines and other Ayurvedic treatment for constipation.
With inputs from Sunanda K, Ayurveda doctor, Sri Sri Ayurveda
