How To Get Rid Of Constipation [3 Quick Remedies]
You can use some home techniques to treat constipation naturally and efficiently. Through these techniques, it is sought to stimulate intestinal movements and soften the consistency of the stool to facilitate its exit, thus avoiding the use of laxatives that can vitiate the intestine and alter the normal intestinal flora, and may even cause nutritional deficiencies.
The procedure only involves the intake of tea and natural juices and performing an abdominal massage. Some of them can also treat constipation in both pregnant women and babies.
How To Get Rid Of Constipation – 3 Steps
The 3 steps that must be performed to treat constipation are:
1. Drink a Warm Tea When You Wake Up, Fasting
The tea should be mild and should not have any laxative effect. Some options that can be used are chamomile tea or lemon balm tea, avoiding teas such as cascara sagrada.
Effect: These teas stimulate the intestine due to the warm temperature and the regularity of the stimulation. For this reason, it is essential to repeat the same “ritual” every day.
2. Perform a Massage in The Abdominal Region
With your hand closed, use the knots of your fingers to massage the abdominal region, moderately pressing the muscles located in this region. Begin by positioning your closed hand below your right ribs and follow the orientation as shown in the image below. It is essential to respect the start and end site since what is sought is to massage the final part of the intestine.
This massage should be done daily for at least 5 minutes and can be done with the individual lying down or sitting.
Effect: What is sought with this massage is to stimulate intestinal movements in the last portion of the intestine, to facilitate both the exit of gases and the transit of feces.
3. Drink a Natural Juice
Before going to sleep, drink a natural juice made up of 2 oranges with 1 cup of papaya. The ideal is to drink the juice simultaneously every day to create this habit in the body.
Effect: Orange and papaya are natural laxatives because they contain fibers that help increase the size of stool and hydrate it to facilitate its transit through the intestine.
It is also essential to consider the position when sitting down to evacuate since this can also make it difficult for the stool to pass.
Constipation in Pregnancy
The technique can be used by pregnant women who suffer from constipation since no medications are used, and it is entirely natural. However, abdominal massage should be avoided, which can be replaced by walks or hydro gymnastics, which should be repeated for 3 days in a row at the same time. Then 3 times a week, the intestine is activated and regulates its movements.
Constipation in Babies
Constipation in babies is determined when dry and hard stools are observed, when the baby does not evacuate quickly or when it takes more than 3 days to evacuate. For both newborns and older babies, You can apply some techniques to help them expel gas and activate bowel movements. These are:
- Perform an abdominal massage as described above or in a clockwise circular motion every day after bathing with a bit of mineral oil;
- Grasp the baby’s feet at the ankles, bring both legs together and exert moderate pressure with the baby’s legs on his belly, counting to 5 and then releasing, repeating this exercise at least 3 times as shown in the images below.
Newborns need to breastfeed on demand to maintain good hydration, and, in the case of bottle-fed babies, it is possible to include bottles with water.
From 4 months of age onwards, babies who have already started complementary feeding can include raw fruits and vegetables to increase the amount of fiber in their diet, helping to improve stool consistency.
Other Recommendations To Treat Constipation
In addition to the 3 home tips to treat constipation, it is essential to note that:
- If you are on a diet, as far as possible, you should have your main meals and snacks at the same time, avoiding skipping any of the meals. This is extremely important to maintain the reflex and intestinal stimulation.
- Drink 1.5 to 2.5 L of water a day outside of mealtimes. This helps hydrate the stool to soften it and facilitate intestinal transit.
- Eat at least 4 to 5 fruits and vegetables a day, preferably with the skin and raw, like apples, pears, peaches, plums, and lettuce. This helps regularize the intestine due to the fibers they provide.
This technique that avoids the intake of medications should be repeated, in principle, for 3 days in a row at identical times and then 3 times a week so that the intestine regulates its movements.
