Constipation is something that can often be linked to a less-than-perfect digestive system. It is defined as fewer than 3 bowel movements per week. However, many people feel that if they do not have a bowel movement every day they are constipated.
Some common causes of constipation are:
- Medications
- Low dietary fiber
- Reduced food intake
- Immobility (hip fracture, knee pain)
- Muscular weakness
- Neuromuscular disorders (e.g. Cerebrovascular events , Parkinson’s disease, etc)
- Altered mental status or Depression
- Hypothyroidism
Medications that can cause constipation
- Narcotic pain medications such as codeine (Tylenol), oxycodone (Percocet), and hydromorphone (Dilaudid)
- Antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil) and imipramine (Tofranil)
- Anticonvulsants such as phenytoin (Dilantin) nd carbamazepine (Tegretol)
- Iron supplements
- Calcium channel blocking drugs such as diltiazem (Cardizem) and nifedipine(Procardia) , verapamil (Calan)
- Aluminum-containing antacids such as Amphojel and Basaljel
Dietary approaches to prevent constipation
•Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day
•Daily at least 8-10 glasses of liquid to be consumed which may include:
–Lime Juice/ Nimboo paani
–Fruit juice
–Coconut water
–Vegetable Soup
–Buttermilk
•Food with high fiber
–whole grains- wheat flour, dalia, jowar, barley
–Vegetables- all
–Nuts- soaked almonds, anjeer, munakka, khajur
•Fiber supplement -usually 20 g/day (4tsp)
–Isabgol
–Trifala
–Kayamchuran
Home remedies for constipation
- Warm water -empty stomach
- Juice of Bael fruit (seasonal)
- Guava with seeds
- Apple with peel
- Pear, papaya , oranges
- Lemon juice in water
- Aloe vera juice 2 times a day
- Oats in milk
- Anjeer, khajur, dried aloo bukhara
- 10-12 pieces of seedless munakka (black raisins) boil with 1 glass of milk. Eat the raisins and drink the milk
- Ginger tea
- 2 tsp of Isabgol in ½ cup milk and drink immediately
- 3-4 drops of lukewarm castor oil over the naval at night
- Folic acid tablet (1/day)
Aerobic exercises like walking/ running can also help in dealing with constipation.
#Thinkhealth blog 