There are many causes of constipation. Some of these are due to the food choices we make, or some can even be more serious such as pregnancy. For the purpose of this article I am going to assume you are suffering from a temporary constipation and will talk about the most popular treatments there are to help you with your ailment. If you have a more severe case of constipation, I recommend seeing your doctor for a more in depth answer to what helps with constipation.
Some causes of constipation are due to pelvic muscles that contract when you sit on the toilet. Over time these contractions can weaken over time and cause hemorrhoids to develop. There are exercises you can take advantage of to strengthen your pelvic muscles in order to avoid hemorrhoids or the development of them. The most popular of these pelvic muscle strengthening exercises is Kegels.
Another common cause of constipation is the lack of fiber in your diet. One of the ways to increase the amount of fiber you eat is to eat more fruits and vegetables. Fiber helps move waste through your system more efficiently and without the occurrence of constipation. Many doctors and nutritionists would suggest taking a fiber supplement with your daily diet in order to ensure you get enough to keep you properly hydrated.
Another option to increasing the amount of fiber you consume is to take a supplement that contains Probiotics. Many health experts believe that taking a supplement with Probiotics is one of the most effective ways to treat both acute and chronic constipation. There are many different types of Probiotics available to you and it’s important you choose the one that best fits your needs.
Along with increasing your fiber intake there are also many different products out on the market today that claim to be able to help your intestines process their stool. Most of these products are in pill or powder form. The bulk of them, however, contain only a small amount of the actual ingredient, which makes their use a little bit more difficult. The bulk of what you should look for are stool softeners. These products are usually a combination of herbs and enzymes that are placed into a pill that you ingest through the digestive system.
Some of the best and most commonly used stool softeners contain L-glutamine. They work by stimulating the immune system in order to flush out built up mucus that can accumulate in your intestines. Along with this, there are also products that contain partially hydroxy (such as psyllium) or partially egested (such as citrus fruit) soluble fiber. These types of soluble fibers can actually penetrate your intestinal walls and work with your bowels to produce a soft and easy to digest stool.
However, sometimes your bowels may not be working efficiently enough and you may need to add fiber supplements to your diet. Since there is a relationship between fiber intake and constipation, sometimes it can be beneficial to eat more foods that are high in fiber. Many kinds of fiber can be found in both fresh and dried fruits, nuts, and whole grains. Adding an extra serving of fiber to your diet on a regular basis will help. This will also help if you tend to have constipation more often than other people do.
Some of the most effective ways to add fiber to your diet is by consuming products that are made from it, or adding fiber to your current diet by taking fiber supplements. When looking for what helps with constipation, the fiber supplements are probably the best way to go. While some products have a laxative effect on the intestines, others act to stimulate the immune system and increase bulk. However, some products, such as fiber drinks, do not always increase the bulk you need. If you’re not eating enough fiber in your diet, it is even more important to get more. The soluble fiber adds bulk to the stool and, as is the case with insoluble fiber, it can make stool less motile and easier to eliminate.