Constipation

Hi Daphne 11,
I have just read, with interest, your letter of Nov.24th.
I hope you have or are enjoying your Thanks giving day.
I am always looking for things to help me go to the bathroom as I too have a constipation problem, I seem to have had the problem all my life. Did you go on line to get your "Smooth Move Tea" from Traditional Medicines? I am wondering if it is an all natural tea that won't be harmful over a long time use. Could you tell us how much it costs please.
I hope the weather is fine for you and your dog walking, here in Canada we are having a cloudy day.
Best Wishes and thank you for sharing this knowledge. Daphne.

Smooth Move tea contains Senna which is a natural laxitive used in Asian cultures. Over the long run I've heard it can create some issues for your body's ability to eliminate on its own...iow, it may be addictive to the point that without it, you're body will no longer be able to move waste out on its own. You can find Smooth Move tea in Walmart. Also there's Lacy Labo's (sp) tea which is basically the same thing (altho a bit stronger in terms of the Senna ingredient). Both teas can often cause cramping before bowel mvmts. They DO work tho. Just be careful.

Something that is working very well for me is a combo supplement called Colon Helper. Just google it and you can find the website where you can order it or find out more info on it. It contains slippery elm, aloe, and other natural herbs. I asked my Dr. to check it out to see if there was anything concerning about it and she found nothing of concern. I take 1 cap every evening and it keeps things soft and moving every day...sometimes several times a day, but no "runs." Some folks don't need the full dose as recommended. You just need to find out what works best for you.

I also eat a rather high fiber diet (natural fiber not added fiber) thru fresh fruits/veggies/whole grains, etc. I also eat a prune in the morning and another at night. Exercise also helps.

I have a rectocele and since finding out I have been looking for ways to keep from getting constipated, mostly by reading what others do on this site and google. I tried the slippery elm, it works for some and doesn't for others like myself it didn't help me at all. I have been using MSM powder (Now Brand) and taking a probiotic in packets and Natural calm (Magnesium) powder and taking all 3 together mixed in one cup every night before bed and since I have not been constipated not once... I used to just do the probiotic with the magnesium but since adding the MSM I have been having bowl movements twice a day and for me I used to only have one once a day if I was lucky...

I buy MSM and Natural Calm on ebay and Amazon so if you can't find it in your local store prices are pretty good them places :)

I use something called Permavite in evening- it has slippery elm and MSM in it and also Cellulose.

http://www.nutricology.com/Perm-A-Vite-Pwd-300-Grams-p-16552.html

Ivonush

Please do not have surgery unless you are nearly dying as i have taken 8 years to learn to live with what i have.It could be worse if you have surgery.Listen to Wholewoman.I have a rectocele and drink black tea.I sometimes have a bit of milk.Only a small amount of sugar too.Lemon in black tea cold is nice.

Hi Daphne 11 I hope you are ok and try and put surgery to one side as you may be like me and learn to handle your troubles especially here at wholewoman.I make sure i eat vegetarian except for a few prawns and some fish.I eat potatoes,Peas,beans,Cauliflower,Pumpkin and all fruit and vegetables.I feel a lot better now.My GP is ok it is only the specialists who don't explain properly.Why.Not all women have the internet.Let me know how you get on Daphne.Just stay with wholewoman.

I have been looking for some remedies for constipation, I copied and pasted some- may be useful for others (http://www.home-remedies-for-you.com/remedy/Constipation.html)...

Constipation Treatment using Bael Fruit
Generally all fruits, except banana and jack fruit, are beneficial in the treatment of constipation. Certain fruits are, however, more effective. Bael fruit is regarded as the best of all laxatives. It cleans and tones up the intestines. Its regular use for two or three months throws out even the old accumulated faecal matter. It should be preferably taken in its original form and before dinner. About sixty grams of the fruit are sufficient for an adult.

Constipation Treatment using Pear
Pears are beneficial in the treatment of constipation. Patients suffering from chronic constipation should adopt an exclusive diet of this fruit or it's juice for a few days, but in ordinary cases, a medium-sized pear taken after dinner or with breakfast will have the desired effect.

Constipation Treatment using Guava
Guava is another effective remedy for constipation. When eaten with seeds, it provides roughage to the diet and helps in the normal evacuation of the bowels. One or two guavas should be taken everyday.

Constipation Treatment using Grapes
Grapes have proved very beneficial in overcoming constipation. The combination of the properties of the cellulose, sugar, and organic acid in grapes make them a laxative food. Their field of action is not limited to clearing the bowels only. They also tone up the stomach and intestines and relieve the most chronic constipation. One should take at least 350 gm of this fruit daily to achieve the desired results. When fresh grapes are not available, raisins, soaked in water, can be used. Raisins should be soaked for twenty-four to forty-eight hours. This will make them swell to the original size of the grapes. They should be eaten early in the morning, along with the water in which they have been soaked.

Constipation Treatment using Orange
Orange is also beneficial in the treatment of constipation. Taking one or two oranges at bedtime and again on rising in the morning is an excellent way of stimulating the bowels. The general stimulating influence of orange juice excites peristaltic activity and helps prevent the accumulation of food residue in the colon.

Constipation Treatment using Papaya and Figs
Other fruits specific for constipation are papaya and figs. Half a medium-sized papaya should be eaten at breakfast for it to act as a laxative. Both fresh and dry figs have a laxative effect. Four or five dry figs should be soaked overnight in a little water and eaten in the morning.

Constipation Treatment using Spinach
Among the vegetables, spinach has been considered to be the most vital food for the entire digestive tract from time immemorial. Raw spinach contains the finest organic material for the cleansing, reconstruction, and regeneration of the intestinal tract. Raw spinach juice-100 ml, mixed with an equal quantity of water and taken twice daily, will cure the most aggravated cases of constipation within a few days.

Constipation Treatment using Other Remedies
Half a lime, squeezed is a glass of hot water, with half a teaspoon of salt is also an effective remedy for constipation. Drinking water which has been kept overnight in a copper vessel, first thing in the morning, brings good results. Linseed (alse) is extremely useful in difficult cases of constipation. A teaspoon of linseed swallowed with water before each meal provides both roughage and lubrication.

Drinking a glass of hot water is also known to stimulate bowel movements but this may not suffice in severe cases of constipation.

Physical activity is known to help reduce the risk of constipation and yoga is particularly noteworthy as a physical fitness regime in this regard. Yoga comprises of a variety of postures and movements, many of which stimulate and encourage the bowel functions. Practicing yoga can thereby enhance your digestive systems functioning and eliminate or at least reduce the occurrence of digestive disorders like constipation.

Hi Ivonush,
What a lovely long list of helpful advice but I have to ask, what is Bael fruit. I have never heard of it before, sounds like it comes from the tropics. Is it one you have to buy from a specialist shop? I think I remember you lived in England.
Great ideas, THANKS FOR TAKING THE TIME. Daphne.

Daphne, I just copied and pasted it from the web-page I read yesterday. I thougt it might be useful for others...I guess, you need to choose what works the best for you...
I still have problems with getting it right...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bael
Ivonush

One of the principles of relieving and preventing constipation is "An apple a day keeps the doctor away". This is because apples contain pectin. When you are making jam you use slightly underripe fruit, which is when the pectin is at its highest level. Many jam recipes use apple as a secondary ingredient for this reason.

Lemons are another fruit that has high pectin levels, that is sometimes in jams like berry jam. Berries are low in pectin. They are often low in acid too. It is difficult to make them jell properly without adding lemon or artificial pectin, or using special sugar designed for jam making (which is ordinary sugar with pectin added). Pectin is the protein(?) that makes the jam jell. It is another one of those substances like flax mucilage and psyllium husk mucilage, which collects water and softens the stool.

So if you are using fruit to negate constipation make sure that it is not overripe. My jam making experience also has taught me that fruit that is freshly picked also has higher pectin levels. Leaving it to sit for a few days after picking will mean that the jam does not jell as well.

We have a dietary guideline in Australia which is "5+2" meaning that we should have 5 serves of veges and 2 serves of fruit a day. Some shredded lettuce in your sandwich does not constitute one serving. We are talking 1/2 cup of vegetable equalling a serving. That is quite a bit of fruit and veg matter every day. which also contains quite a bit of water and fibre as well.

If you are prone to constipation this guideline is a really good one.

Louise

I'm worried to read that some yoga poses may be detrimental. I can't afford the WW yoga book/dvd at the moment, so will someone please tell me which are the detrimental poses? Thanks

Hi Merrilees

I can't give you specifics but any pose that straightens the lumbar curve and tips the pelvis backwards while producing a lot of intraabdominal pressure, from holding body parts in the right places won't be good for you. Anything that produces symptoms won't be good.

Much of Christine's yoga concentrates not on avoiding exercises but enriching the good poses, which will encourage flexibility so that WW posture is more attainable and comfortable as a result. Also strengthening of the upper and lower body.

You might be able to find excerpts of the yoga DVD's on Youtube. wholewomaninc is the channel.

Louise

OK, I have figured up my morning poo- it is much better now, with no special effort, almost pleasant...but I have problems towards afternoon or evening, I get bit constipated and my stool collects in, and I feel so frustrated, cannot concentrate on anything else and I am also beginning to lose hope. Cried today, feeling as if so little has changed (?)...
I think now: that a lot has changed, I don't have a pain. I still have vaginal and rectal discomfort towards evening...
I just need to alter my breakfasts. I think I take too much fibre. I will try to eat some cottage cheese tomorrow. My friend said something about a full spoon of olive oil. I may add it as well...and I will add magnesium in the morning...

I just wish to have one day with no reminders from my bottom...
Ivonush