Digestive discomfort, like constipation, can majorly impact how you feel day to day, affecting everything from energy levels to mood. When things aren't moving as they should, it can be painful. It's often a sign that your body needs a little extra support. Many people are turning to natural constipation remedies to gently restore balance and promote regularity.

If you're looking to explore simple yet effective ways to prevent and support constipation, so you can feel lighter and more energized, keep reading.

What is Constipation?

Constipation is not a disease in itself, but it is a symptom of another problem. It is defined as difficulty in passing stool or the infrequent passage of stool. The resulting stool may cause pain and bleeding as it passes, because it is so hard and dry. Constipation is very unhealthy because it impedes the ability of your body to release toxins. Most cases of constipation can be improved with lifestyle and diet changes. If those changes do not seem to help, then a further investigation should be performed to rule out more serious pathology.

What Are Natural & Conventional Constipation Remedies?

Natural and conventional remedies for constipation involve the use of laxatives. But remember, just because a laxative is natural does not mean that you cannot become dependent on it.

Increased Fibre

Bulk-forming agents increase the bulk and water content of stool. They are the only laxatives that are safe to use every day. Psyllium, bran, flaxseeds, apple pectin and chicory root are examples of natural bulk formers.

Stool Softeners

Stool softeners soften fecal matter so that it passes more easily. Pharmaceutical stool softeners, like mineral oil and docusate sodium, should not be taken daily because they can decrease vitamin absorption, alter drug concentrations and cause liver damage. Natural stool softeners are cold-pressed oils. They also provide essential fatty acids for the health of the intestinal cells.

Osmotic Remedies

Osmotic agents pull more water into the intestine to stimulate bowel movements. They can cause dependency with repeated use. Examples are magnesium, milk of magnesia, Epsom salts and sorbitol.

Stimulating Laxatives

Stimulant laxatives irritate the intestine to cause a bowel movement. They can cause damage and dependency with repeated usage. Natural and pharmaceutical examples are bisacodyl, senna, cascara sagrada and castor oil.

Lifestyle Tips

Lifestyle changes to help with constipation include regular exercise and stress reduction. Never suppress the urge to defecate. Do not strain to pass stool because it can contribute to hemorrhoid formation.

Minimize straining by ensuring that your thighs are parallel to the floor when sitting on the toilet. Use a footstool if necessary.

Tackling the emotional aspects of constipation should also be undertaken. It can sometimes reflect the inability to “let go” of certain things that have happened in a person’s life. Sometimes this emotional connection can even go back to trauma in childhood. Abdominal massage and hydrotherapy can help regulate bowel movements.

Natural Remedies To Prevent Constipation

Some ways you can ease the symptoms of and prevent and treat constipation are: take a close look at your diet and try to identify irritating substances, drink 8-10 8oz glasses of water per day, try a cleanse specifically made for the colon which can clean the colon of any build-up and improve its functioning, get enough fibre by eating a high-fibre and low-fat diet, stimulate the digestive tract in the morning with a glass of warm water and lemon and be sure to consume vegetables, figs, prunes, whole grains and fresh fruits with skins. Some foods to avoid include spicy foods, salt, coffee, processed foods, dairy, fats, and alcohol.