Constipation can take several different forms. You may have fewer bowel movements; have harder, drier stools than you normally do; or find yourself straining to pass solid waste. Whatever form it takes for you, constipation is usually uncomfortable and something you're eager to end. In the long run, increasing your fiber intake and drinking more water reduces your likelihood of constipation. Often, you can treat constipation at home, but if you have persistent issues or bloody stools, abdominal pain, rectal pain or constipation alternating with diarrhea, the University of Maryland Medical Center recommends calling your physician.
Try Fiber
If your constipation occurs because your digestive system is working slower than you'd like, a generous serving of fiber and liquid--like fiber-rich cereal with milk--can help get things moving, says Amy Foxx-Orenstein, an osteopathic physician and gastroenterologist at the Mayo Clinic, in an article published in 2009 in the "Washington Post."
According to Foxx-Orenstein, a generous serving of fiber can stimulate the nerve signals that let your bowels know it's time to get to work, causing the propagating contractions that precede successful bowel movements.
Drink Prune Juice
The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases recommends combining a generous glass of prune juice with apple juice or applesauce to kick start a bowel movement.
Prunes are a traditional constipation remedy, probably because they contain dihydroxyphenyl isatin, a compound that triggers colonic activity. If you're not a fan of prune juice, eating prunes will give you similar results, plus a healthy dose of fiber that may help prevent future constipation issues.
Try Senna Tea
Brew a cup of senna tea. This herb is a natural laxative because of its ability to cause contractions in the colon that promotes bowel movements, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Foxx-Orenstein, in the "Washington Post," notes that warm liquids can trigger colonic contractions, too.
To make senna tea, add a heaping teaspoon of senna leaves to a cup of hot water and let the liquid steep for 20 minutes before drinking it. About 300 milligrams of senna per day is beneficial, but you shouldn't continue to use senna if your constipation persists for more than a few days, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
