Top 7 Tips To Treat And Prevent Constipation

Constipation is a common problem, especially among people over 55. While your toilet-going patterns may not change as much as you age, some shifts in your lifestyle patterns can affect the state of your intestinal tract. Though it is likely that at some point in our lives we will all feel blocked, it is generally not a cause for great concern. A sensible regimen of diet and exercise can often return you to normal. Here are some of the ways that you can use to treat and prevent constipation from occurring.

1. Try to move around
   
   As we get older and cut back on vigorous exercise, more sitting around directly affects the colon by making it work more sluggishly. Walking will be one of the best forms of exercise. Try to walk about three miles a day.
   
   
2. Stimulate the central nervous system
   
   It is advisable to stimulate the central nervous system and blood flow. You can do it in your own houses using hot and cold foot baths. Spend about five minutes with your feet or legs in a hot foot bath and then plunge them into cold water for a minute. That really gets the circulation moving.
   
   
3. Go when you need to
   
   In certain occasions, people tends to ignore defecate. This may happen for a variety of reasons, but the most common one will have to do with habit. Although you may think that it is fine, however, ignoring the urge to move the bowels could lead to constipation. Therefore, wherever you are, try to go to the bathroom when you get the urge.
   
   
4. Go slowly in your diet
   
   Some people have the tendency to add too much fiber in their diet and thought that this approach may solve their constipation. However, bloating and diarrhea will come to find you. You can avoid these side effects by adding fiber slowly. Each week, increase your daily intake by no more than give grams.
   
   
5. Go for the right dose
   
   People simply under dose fiber additives and this is becoming a major problem for most of the consumers. The label recommends one tablespoon one to three times a day. It would be advisable to start at the recommended level, and increase to three tablespoons of the additives once a day. This will increase the bowel regularity dramatically. Bear in mind to drink more water when consuming these additives.
   
   
6. Try laxatives
   
   Laxatives are found in pharmacies and grocery stores, which absorb water in the intestine and make the stool softer. Remember to follow the instructions as recommended on the package. And be sure to drink lots of water. The fiber in the laxative needs that liquid to bulk up and do its job.
   
   
7. Heed signs and symptoms
   
   Some people treat constipation as a matter of life, ignoring the signs and symptoms or treating them with quick-acting laxatives. Either approach could have serious consequences. People that are over 55 are at a high risk of colon cancer and constipation is a sign and symptom of colon cancer. Bear in mind to call your doctor if you have constipation accompanied by abdominal pain or if you see blood in your stool.

Raymond Lee is one of the foremost experts in the health and fitness industry and is the Founder of Bodyfixes Group specializing in body health, muscle development and dieting. He is currently the author of the latest edition of "Neck Exercises and Workouts." Visit http://www.bodyfixes.com for more information.