Category: Digestive Health

May 16, 2018

Top 7 Home Remedies for Severe Constipation

What is Constipation ?

It is defined as when anybody have fewer bowel movements per week. It reduces to less than one bowel movement in a week, in case of severe constipation.
It is one of the most common disorder which affects people of almost every age group.

What are the Cause of Constipation ?

The Main Possible Causative Agents are as Follows :-

  • Insufficient water intake

  • Lack of physical activity

  • A poor diet with low fibre intake

  • Aging

  • Pregnancy

  • Weakness of abdominal muscles

  • Changes in routine

  • Stress

  • Hemorrhoids

  • Intake of certain medications

  • Irregular defecation habit

  • Laxative abuse

  • Certain disease conditions

What is the Pathogenesis of Severe Constipation ?

In this condition, the colon absorbs more water than the food in the colon and results in hard and dry stools and which further leads to difficulty in passing stools. This is a painful condition because a person has to bear alot of strain to pass excessively hard and dry stools.

What are the Symptoms of Constipation ?

The Symptoms of Constipation can Include the Following Symptoms :-

  • Stomach ache

  • A bloated stomach

  • Cramps in abdomen

  • Abnormally large or small stools

  • Headache

  • Loss of appetite

  • Bad breath

  • Nausea

  • Depression

  • Mouth ulcers

  • Acne

Home Remedies to Treat the Severe Constipation

There are home remedies to treat the severe constipation which are effective, safe and give fast symptom relief.

Top 7 Remedies for the Severe Constipation are as Follows :-

1. Lemons

Lemon is wonderful and amazing remedy for the treatment of diseases like skin care, proper digestion, weight loss, peptic ulcers, eye care and respiratory problems etc. Lemon can be easily seen in the kitchen and markets and it is not just to make foods and fruits tangy, it has several other benefits. Lemons, especially juice of the lemon helps in the treatment of constipation. This is one of the most common, simple and much more effective remedy which you can easily try at home. The flavonoids present in the lemon helps in increasing the secretion of digestive juices, acids, bile. The fibre content of lemon helps in the treatment and ease of constipation. It also helps in clearing the excretory system by cleaning as well as washing the digestive tract.

How to Use ?

  • Squeeze half lemon into a glass of warm water. You can also add 1 teaspoon of table salt or a pinch of rock salt and a teaspoon of honey into it.

  • Drink this solution on empty stomach. If you want, you can also use this drink in the evening.

  • To get relief from constipation and cleanse your system, take surplus of 1-2 tablespoons of lemon juice with a pinch of salt in it.

Home Remedies to Treat the Severe Constipation

2. Figs

Figs acts as a natural laxative. Figs are very rich in fiber. People who are suffering from chronic constipation can add figs in your diet. Both fresh and dried figs can be used for the treatment of chronic constipation. The skin of figs contains more fiber as well as calcium. If fresh figs are available then eat them along with the skin.

How to Use ?

  • Take dried figs and 2-3 almonds. Soak them in water for Atleast 8 hours and then peel of the almond’s skin and grind them in the grinder to make a paste. Have this paste at night along with the honey.

3. Castor Oil

Castor oil stimulates the small as well as large intestines as it is a natural laxative. It also helps in improving the bowel movements. Castor oil contains fatty acids, amino acids, flavonoids, phytosterols and phenolic compounds etc. All these compounds are responsible for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective properties. This should only be used in severe cases of constipation.

How to Use ?

  • Swallow 1-2 teaspoons of this oil on an empty stomach. You can add orange juice in it to increase the taste. You will notice a huge improvement in your condition within few hours.

4. Honey

According to some studies, it is believed that honey have laxative effects only due to its incomplete absorption in the body. Daily intake of honey is beneficial in prevention as well as treatment of constipation.

How to Use ?

  • Add 1 tablespoon of honey and half lemon juice in a glass of warm water and drink this solution on empty stomach.

  • Have Atleast 2 teaspoons of honey twice daily.

  • You can also add 1 tablespoon of honey into apple cider vinegar. Have this drink 20-30 minutes prior to meals for the better results.

5. Flaxseeds

This plant is one of the richest source of omega-3 fatty acids and fiber. Flax seeds acts as demulcents and have anti-inflammatory as well as antioxidant properties. According to a published study, flax seeds helps in the treatment of diarrhoea and constipation. Its laxative properties helps in curing mild to severe cases of constipation.

How to Use ?

  • You can have 2-3 tablespoons of ground flaxseeds with a cup of water.

  • Add the powdered flax seeds in 1-2 cups of water and then allow it to rest for 20 minutes before drinking. Before going to bed, drink this water everyday. Your bowel movements will get better in the next morning.

6. Prunes

These are also known as dried plums. It is a widely accepted remedy for constipation in traditional medicine. These are also rich in fiber. The soluble fibres and insoluble fibres helps in increasing the bulk and water content of stools which induce digestive secretions as well as bowel movement. If you suffer from a tendency of constipation, eat prunes on the regular basis.

How to Use ?

  • If you don’t have prunes, have 1-2 plums daily.

  • For relief from constipation and extra fiber, blend 2-3 prunes in a glass of warm almond milk and drink on every night.

  • You can also have a cup of whipped yogurt along with 3-4 prunes.

7. Spinach

When you are suffering from constipation, spinach is very good for the digestive tract. Spinach is rich in fiber, oxalic acid, phosphorus, vitamins and calcium. Spinach helps in cleansing, reconstructing and regenerating the whole intestinal tract.

How to Use ?

  • You can have spinach either in the cooked form or raw form. Include spinach in your diet if you are suffering from the severe constipation.

  • You can also mix half glass of spinach juice in half glass of water. Have this drink twice daily for few days for better relief.

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May 3, 2018

How to Treat and Prevent Ulcerative Colitis Flares Naturally

OVERVIEW

It is inflammatory disease which includes colon, rectum along with a small part of small intestine. Ulcerative colitis comes under the category of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Crohn’s disease comes under the second category of inflammatory bowel diseases. It can sometimes results in serious problems, as it is a chronic disease.

Due to changing eating habits as well as changing lifestyle, abdominal problems like- gastritis, bloating, constipation are becoming most common. These issues looks quite simple to handle but if not diagnosed or treated early may results into a disease called as “Ulcerative Colitis”. From the past few years, there is a rise in number of patients suffering from ulcerative colitis. Unfortunately, according to modern medicine, it is considered as incurable disease.

It is also known as Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) which is regarded as a chronic ailment of colon. According to modern medicine, it is believed that food allergy, intake of certain medicines for a long duration, intake of antibiotics for a longer time, incompatible food, eating late nights can result in developing this disease.

Ulcerative colitis treatment in ayurveda

According to Ayurveda

  • As Ayurveda believes in curing the disease from the root, this problem has a proper solution. According to Ayurveda, it initiates with mild diarrhea then leads to stools with Ama [toxic substances] then results in constipation.
  • In Ayurveda, it is also known as pittaj grahani.

Classification of Ulcerative Colitis

It is the most serious & common disorder and is classified into 3 types on the basis of severity

  1. Mild
  2. Moderate
  3. Severe

MILD– The characteristic features of mild ulcerative colitis are-

  1. Four or less than four stools per day
  2. Stools may with or without blood
  3. No systemic disturbances
  4. No change in the ESR value [erythrocyte sedimentation rate]

MODERATE- The characteristic features of moderate ulcerative colitis are-

  1. More than 4 stools daily
  2. Few systemic disturbances

SEVERE– The characteristic features of severe ulcerative colitis are-

  1. Not less than 6 stools daily
  2. Stools with blood
  3. More systemic disturbances like fever, anemia, tachycardia
  4. Greater changes in the ESR value[ erythrocyte sedimentation rate]

Symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis

Commonly the patients have ulcers in their inner lining of the colon who suffers from the ulcerative colitis shows symptoms like:

  • Abdominal Pain
  • Stool in blood
  • Diarrhea
  • Pain in rectal area
  • Increase in bowel sounds
  • Rectal bleeding
  • Weight loss
  • Fever
  • Malnutrition [poor health]

Symptoms vary with the location of ulceration:

  • When inflammation occurs in rectal along with sigmoid region then sufferers have symptoms of urgency, painful feeling during defecation, bleeding in the rectal area.
  • When inflammation occurs in rectum with left part of colon then sufferers have symptoms of pain in left part of abdomen, abdominal cramps, weight loss, watery stools mixed with blood.
  • When inflammation covers whole colon then the individual have symptoms of fatigue, fever, night sweats, abdominal pain and abdominal cramps.

Diagnosis of Ulcerative Colitis

As ulcerative colitis involves only colon and rectum, it is easy to diagnose. Some of the diagnostic tools are as follows-

  1. Flexible sigmoidoscopy/colonoscopy– colonoscopy is the preferred choice as it can be uses to see the whole colon.
  2. Biopsies which are collected during the procedure of colonoscopy/sigmoidoscopy
  3. x-ray of abdominal area
  4. Stool analysis
  5. Barium enema
  6. MRI or CT scan
  7. Urine and blood test to check for inflammation, anemia and malnutrition.

Natural Treatment for Ulcerative Colitis with Diet

As a healthy diet which is rich in all vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, proteins and fats prevents in remission of ulcerative colitis, so diet is a crucial factor in the patients having ulcerative colitis. The diet should include various foods:

Low-fat dairy products

  • The dairy products can be consumed in moderate amounts until unless it does not cause any trouble in the digestive tract.
  • A low quantity of milk does not harm stomach.
  • If milk leads to trouble in digestive tract like gas, bloating, or a stomach upset, then start drinking soy milk or lactose free milk.

Fruits and vegetables

  • A diet including variety of different fresh fruits is very much beneficial for patients who are having ulcerative colitis.
  • So fresh fruits which provides greater amount of vitamins, nutrients, water but less fibre are doing wonderful job to prevent pain in abdomen, abdominal cramps and disturbed bowel movements.

Fresh fruits that are easily digested in the patients suffering from ulcerative colitis such as bananas, avocados,cooked apples, seedless grapes, peaches

  • Healthy fats like vegetable oils
  • Fish, Lean meat and poultry
  • Vegetables but without seeds

Soft Bland Foods

  • These kinds of foods are very beneficial in some of the digestive tract problems such as ulcerative colitis. Soft bland foods which can be used in ulcerative colitis are oatmeal, puffed rice, hominy grits, wheat cream, boiled eggs, gelatin, mashed potatoes, cooked vegetables such as asparagus, mushrooms, carrots and spinach and brown rice.

Natural Herbs for Ulcerative Colitis

Aloe Vera:

  • Aloe Vera helps in the treatment of ulcerative colitis due to its anti-inflammatory properties. According to some studies, it is believed that patients having aloe Vera for 4 weeks shows better results rather than people who are not having.

How to Use

Mix aloe Vera gel into a glass of water and then drink it on the daily basis before going to bed.

Andrographis paniculata

  • This herb helps in the treatment of ulcerative colitis. This herb is most commonly used to treat this disease.

Boswellia

  • This herb helps in the treatment of ulcerative colitis due to its anti-inflammatory properties. This herb helps in protecting our body from cells of ulcerative colitis.

Curcumin

  • This herb’s abilities to reduce cytokines and interleukins associated with inflammatory bowel disease, helps in the treatment of ulcerative colitis. According to some studies, it is believed that if patient continue to have curcumin or turmeric on daily basis, will show betterment of symptoms of ulcerative colitis.
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