Irritable bowel syndrome is a fairly common affliction accompanied by stomach cramps, gas, diarrhea, and constipation. The large intestine is where most of the symptoms originate. Though it is not a life-threatening condition, the painful symptoms of an irritable bowel can be difficult to live with. People who have symptoms such as constipation need to be vigilant about what they eat, and how often they exercise.
Sources of Constipation
Constipation can have many causes: too little fiber; chronic dehydration; various medical conditions, or even certain medications can exacerbate problems in the large intestine. However, daily physical activity could greatly alleviate symptoms of constipation.
Stimulating the Bowels
It is not unusual for you to develop constipation if you have been sick or injured and must be confined to a bed. Once you start moving again, your bowels are stimulated which eases this particular irritable bowel symptom. If you've been out of the exercise loop for some time, ease back into it slowly.
Movement is Key
Consulting a physical therapist can help you plan an exercise routine for your symptoms. For example, if you are confined to a bed, and you suffer from constipation, you can still exercise. Abdominal contractions and leg raises are two exercises that can be done while reclining. Any kind of movement is an integral part of keeping your large intestine working properly.
Signaling Endorphins
However, the best overall treatment for irritable bowel syndrome and its accompanying symptom, constipation, is simply walking 30 minutes every day. Walking activates endorphins which helps you relax, which in turn helps your digestive tract to work better. You also don't have to complete a walking routine all at once. You can break this exercise up into three, 10-minute installments each day.
Walking Correctly
An added bonus to walking is that it can be modified to fit your pace and health issues. Correct and healthy ways to walk are to keep your head up, and walk briskly, building up speed as you increase your endurance rate. Swinging your arms, with elbows drawn close to your body, will create more of an aerobic exercise which aides elimination of the bowels. Drinking water before, during, and after walks will also push everything through your colon.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Definition
- University of Michigan Health System: Patient Information: Constipation
- MayoClinic.com: Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Lifestyle and home remedies
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Constipation
- Constipationopia.com: Walking For Exercise and Your Colon
