Constipation – we all know the feeling. Most people suffer from constipation at least once in their lifetime. Constipation is not a disease, rather, it’s is a series of symptoms that can be caused by any number of things, from poor diet, lack of exercise, a side effect of medications, a side effect of a more serious illness or disease, and major changes in your life. People can suffer from constipation from infancy and throughout their lives.

The most important thing to know is if you are actually suffering from constipation or if it is actually your body’s natural schedule. Each body works on it’s own schedule. Being aware of your body’s schedule will enable you to determine if you are suffering from the symptoms of constipation and if you should treat these symptoms.

Commercials for laxatives would have you believe that everyone needs to have a bowel movement at least once a day. This is not always the case. Some people need to have a bowel movement more often – they naturally defecate 2-3 times per day. Some people naturally defecate once per day - while still others may only need to defecate 2-3 times per week. There is no set precedence. Each individual body functions according to it’s own timetable.

So, when should you worry about constipation? Most physicians diagnose constipation if the following criteria are present: Less than 3 bowel movements in a week (less that 1 for more serious cases), extreme difficulty passing feces, feces that is dry, hard, and small, and bloating or discomfort in the abdomen. Once you have been diagnosed with constipation, you should develop a plan to decrease the episodes of constipation as naturally as possible. While constipation is not in itself a serious ailment, the failure to treat it could lead to more serious illnesses.

Constipation Treatment

There are many constipation treatments available – from medications to natural treatments. In severe cases, your physician may recommend the use of laxatives for constipation relief. But in most cases, the physician will want you to relieve the constipation with natural treatments. While laxatives may sometimes be a necessary constipation treatment, you will only want to rely on laxatives for short-term relief. Overuse of laxatives can cause your digestive system to become dependent on the laxatives and can disrupt the normal digestive cycle – this could lead to a more serious bout of constipation.

The best constipation treatment is one that consists of a healthy diet and sufficient exercise. A healthy diet and exercise are essential for your overall health – and in turn, a healthy digestive system is essential for your overall health. A healthy diet should consist of plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, foods that are rich in fiber, and foods that are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids. You should limit your intake of foods that may trigger constipation – such as dairy products, foods that may cause gas, and foods that are high in protein. Some protein is necessary, of course, but foods like red meats, which have high protein content, can do more damage to your digestive system than good.

You should also try to avoid stress whenever possible. Stress and other life-changing events can contribute to the onset of constipation. Should you find that you are actually suffering from constipation, you should seek natural constipation relief whenever possible.

There are many natural constipation treatments. Many of these can be used daily in order to prevent constipation – and many can be used to provide constipation relief after the symptoms begin. Infants often suffer from constipation, as their bodies need to adjust to changes more rapidly than adults. A great remedy for constipation relief in infants is adding corn syrup to the formula. Corn syrup can also be added to warm water or warm milk for older children and adults.