Introduction

Constipation is supposed to be a widely known disease of modern life style. It is regarded as a symptom in certain other disease conditions. Its main symptoms are following:

•Improper evacuation of faecal matter
•Dizziness and heaviness in head
•Fowl smell from mouth
•Passing of Dry and hard stool
•Distaste from meal
•Coated tongue
•Urge of evacuation even after defecation
•Consumption of more time in evacuation

Causes of Constipation

Constipation occurs due to lack of physical work, increased mental stress, faulty lifestyle coupled with faulty eating habits like a lot of intake of the oily and spicy heavy food, intake of Tea, Coffee, tobacco, Alcohol and other intoxicants. Use of inadequate green vegetables and seasonal fruits, drinking of less water, Eating without adequate appetite, repeated and hurried eating without proper mastication and suppression of urge of evacuation are also the principal causes of constipation. The displacement of naval towards the upper side causes the condition of constipation and the gas to develop.

Natural Remedy for Constipation

Diet is the most significant factor in the natural cure of constipation. This should consist of unrefined food such as whole grain cereals, honey, molasses, and lentils; green and leafy vegetables, especially spinach, tomatoes, lettuce, onion, cabbage, cauliflower, sprouts, celery, turnip, pumpkin, peas, beets, asparagus and carrot. Fresh fruits, particularly pears, grapes, figs, papayas, mangoes, grapefruit, gooseberries, guava and oranges; dry fruits such as figs, raisins, apricots and dates; milk products in the form of butter, ghee and cream are to be included in the diet.

The diet alone is not enough. Food should be properly chewed-each morsel for at least fifteen times. Hurried meals and meals at odd times should be avoided. Sugar and sugary foods should be firmly avoided because sugar steals B vitamins from the body, without which the intestines cannot function normally. Regular drinking of water is beneficial not only for constipation but also for cleaning the system, diluting the blood and washing out poisons. Normally six to eight glasses of water should be taken every day as it is necessary for digesting and dissolving food nutrients so that they can be absorbed and utilised by the body. Water should, however, not be taken with meals as it dilutes the gastric juices essential for proper digestion. Water should be taken either half an hour before or an hour after meals.

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 best of all laxatives. It cleans and tones up the intestines. Its normal use for two or three months throws out even the old accumulated faucal matter. Though generally used to check diarrhoea, bael contains both laxative and constipative properties. It hardens the stools when they are loose and serves as a laxative when the bowels are constipated. Pears are regarded the next best fruit useful in the treatment of constipation. Patients suffering from chronic constipation should better adopt an exclusive diet of this fruit or its juice for few days, but in normal cases a medium-sized pear taken after dinner or with breakfast will have the desired result. The same is true of guava which, when eaten with seeds, gives roughage to the diet and helps in the normal evacuation of the bowels.

Grapes have also proved extremely 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 grams of grapes daily to achieve the desired results. When fresh grapes are not available, raisins soaked in water can be used. Raisins should be soaked in drinking water for 24 to 48 hours. This would swell them to the original size of the grapes. The raisins should be eaten early in the morning. The water in which raisins are soaked should be drunk along with the soaked raisins.

Drinking hot water with sour lime juice and half a teaspoon of salt is also an effective remedy for constipation. Linseed is very useful in difficult cases of constipation. A teaspoon of linseed swallowed with water before each meal provides both bulk and lubrication. In all ordinary cases of constipation, an exclusive fruit diet for about seven days would be the best way to begin the treatment. Weak patients may take orange juice during the period of fasting. After the all-fruit diet or the short fast, as the case may be, the patient should gradually embark upon a balanced diet comprising adequate raw foods, ripe fruits and whole grain cereals. It some cases, further short periods on fruits or short fasts may be essential at intervals of two months or so, depending on the improvement being made. The bowels should be cleansed daily through a warm water enema for a few days at the commencement of the treatment.

A cold friction bath taken daily in the morning can help cure constipation. An alternate hot and cold hit bath taken before retiring to bed is also beneficial. Abdominal exercise and manual or mechanical vibratory massage have a refreshing and stimulating effect in many cases. Toning up the muscles also helps in the treatment of constipation. Fresh air, outdoor games, walking, swimming, gardening and exercise play an important role in strengthening and activating the muscles, thereby preventing constipation. Yoga for constipation brings relief as they strengthen the abdominal and pelvic muscles and stimulate the peristalic action of the bowels. These asanas are: bhujansana, salabhasana, yogamudra, dhanurasana, halasana, paschimottanasana. Pranayamas, such as, anuloma-viloma and bhastrika and jalaneti kriyas are also helpful.

Yoga for Constipation

Constipation, also known as irregularity in bowels is a condition of the digestive system where the individual experiences hard feces that are difficult to eliminate. It is retention of the stools or inability to have a bowel movement for particular reasons. Slow and tight movement of faeces through the large intestine, often associated with large quantities of dry, hard faeces in the descending colon that accumulate because of the long time allowed for absorption of fluid are common characteristics of this disorder.

The symptoms of constipation is marked when the stool is hard and difficult to pass, headache, lethargy, depression, coated tongue, loss of appetite, insomnia, anaemia and eruptions of an urticarial type. Sometimes, there is temperature, which rises upto 1020 F. The retention of the stools is followed by alternating diarrhoea, which sometimes leads to incorrect diagnosis. Straining to pass stool may also cause intensely painful hemorrhoids and anal fissures. In later stages of constipation, the abdomen often becomes swollen and diffusely tender and crampy, occasionally with enhanced bowel sounds. The main causes of constipation include wrong diet, dehydration, medication, paralysis or slowed transit, injured anal sphincter, hypothyroidism, hypokalemia, lead poisoning, diverticula and so on.

Yoga is believed to be the easiest and naturally treated therapy for constipation. Yoga asanas like Surya Namaskara, Pavanamukta Asana, Trikona Asana, Hala Asana, Tada Asana, Matsya Asana, Bhastrika with kumbhaka, Ardha Matsyendrasana, Uddiyana Bandha, Pranayama and Mulabandha are best suggested for this ailment. Besides the physical asanas, breathing exercises such as Kapalabhati, Anuloma-Viloma and Bhastrika are also helpful. Other than the above mentioned yoga asanas and Pranayama, practice of yoga nidra, concentration and meditation gives the best results for constipation. Yoga Diet plays a major role in curing constipation as well. One should take light meals including fresh foods, fruits, vegetables and salads and avoid starch consumption, spices, fats and excessive salt. Eating bananas give instant relief. Drinking plenty of water is equally important.

These yoga asanas are especially beneficial for the abdominal region of the body. In executing them one will find a natural remedy for constipation. If curing constipation is a much needed process, then one need to undertake Yoga as a choice for physical therapy, together with other methods will not hurt and could possibly help immensely. This condition causes discomfort to the person and disturbs all the other systems. The recommended Yoga asanas for Constipation focus on moving the stomach and intestines in all directions to aid the digestion process. This stimulates the flow of blood to all parts of the intestines and generally helps foods pass through the body.

The Yoga asanas for constipation is discussed in details accordingly.
•Surya Namaskaran - or the Sun Salutation is a prayer in motion. Surya namaskaran consists of a sequence of twelve postures performed continuously and combined with harmonised breathing. Each position counteracts the preceding one, thus producing a balance between flexions and extensions. Surya Namaskar activates almost all the glands of the endocrinal system. Because of this internal activation, the various digestive organs like pancreas, adrenal, thyroid, pituitary and begin to secrete their respective hormones in normal way. Surya Namaskara corrects disorders of the pancreas, liver and cure constipation, wind troubles, indigestion, acidity, intestinal disorder.

•Pavanamukta Asana - This is the "wind relieving posture" and is so named because it assists in releasing trapped or digestive gas from the stomach and intestines. The Sanskrit word `pavana` means air or wind and `mukta` means freedom or release. It improves gastrointestinal problems like upset stomachs and constipation by stimulating the abdominal region.

•Hala Asana - Halasana resembles the plough posture and stretches the body in a way that helps building up the muscles, especially the back muscles that regulates the blood flow in the body and would regulate constipation due to weak abdominal muscles.

•Tada Asana - The proper execution and continual practice of this asana along with other postures helps to re-train the body to stand correctly and reverse the negative effects of poor posture. This asana indirectly helps cure constipation.

•Dhanurasana - This asana keeps the spine healthy and flexible, removes the nervous debility and helpful in relieving the `pitta` disorders and constipation, improves digestion and massage entire back.

The above mentioned asanas have to be accompanied with proper diet that especially includes fibre content. One must consume water, fruits and vegetables in abundance; or else intensified exercise would also not deliver desired results. Besides, the mentioned asanas, one can also opt for Mayurasana and Sarvangasana.

DISCLAIMER - The Yoga asanas prescribed above should be strictly performed under the supervision of an experienced Yoga teacher.

Treatment of Constipation by Ayurveda

Treatment of Constipation by Ayurveda:
For acute type the best treatment is oil enema followed by decoction enema or introduction of glycerin suppository in the rectum. For the chronic type a whole body oil massage is prescribed. Basti (medicated enema) is very effective in most types of constipation.

For Children:
• the paste of Chebulic myrobalan (Harad) with black salt, should be taken thrice daily. or
• Isabgol husk 5 gm., to be taken with milk at bed time or
• Raisin (Munakka) and Chebulic myrobalan(Harad), 5 gm. To be taken each with milk at bed time.

For Adults:
• 5 gm. of fruit rind of Chebulic myrobalan (Harad) with salt, to be taken once daily at bed time or
• 2-6 gm. of Triphala powder with 50 ml., and warm water, twice a day or 5 -10 gm. of Isabgol husk with one cup of milk should be taken at bedtime.

Treatment of Constipation by Aromatherapy

•The oils helpful for the cure of constipation are Rosemary, Black pepper, Juniper and Fennel.

•You can add twelve drops of oil to 4 fl oz (100 ml) of a carrier oil and massage it into your abdomen, or

•Add twenty drops to your bath and soak in it for fifteen minutes.

Treatment of Constipation by Magnetic Therapy<

The magnets should be applied to the soles of feet for 20 minutes once in the evening daily. Mixed magnetized water should also be taken thrice daily.

Treatment of Constipation by Acupressure Therapy

Acupressure helps to relax the abdomen, ease discomfort, and stimulate regular bowel movements. For two minutes, one should apply gentle fingertip pressure to a point about two and one-half inches below the navel. Acupressure can also be applied to the outer edges of one elbow crease and maintained for 30 seconds before pressing the crease of the other elbow. This should be done three times a day to relieve constipation.

Homeopathy for Constipation

Constipation is bowel movement that is hard to press. It is a common cause of Constipation is the natural consequence of leading a sedentary, irregular, and also modern life.

Treatment of Constipation
Alumina 30: Constipation sometimes occurs due to dryness and inactivity of the intestines. There is no desire to evacuate the bowels till there is a large accumulation of stools. The stool, even though soft, requires much straining to be expelled, it adheres to the rectum like clay. The person has an abnormal craving for indigestible things like chalk, charcoal, etc. and also an aversion to meat and potatoes.

Bryonia 30: Some symptoms that can confirm the use of Bryonia can be mentioned as constipation due to extreme dryness of mucous membranes of the large intestine. There is no desire to pass stools. When they do pass out, the stools are hard and dry as if burnt. Constipation causes headache that becomes worse on moving the head. There is extreme thirst for large quantities of cold water. There is also a dislike for milk and fried foods.

Graphites 30: the important symptoms of using medicine can be mentioned as constipation due to dryness of mucous membranes. The stools are very hard, in the form of large lumps, which are joined together by slimy threads. Drinking hot milk relieves constipation. A dry, cracking skin and a sad, weeping disposition are some other features of this remedy.

Nux v 30: Nux v is useful at the time when constipation occurs from consuming an excess of tea-coffee and leading a sedentary life. There is frequent, ineffectual desire to pass stools. Only a small amount of stools are evacuated, the person never feeling satisfied. Sometimes constipation also occurs alternates with diarrhoea. An oversensitive nature and a tendency to catch colds are other pointers to this remedy.

Senna 30: The extract or concoction prepared from the leaves of senna has been used as a purgative since ancient times. Severe constipation with pain in the abdomen, especially in the liver region is some of the other symptoms. The stools are often hard and dark. There is flatulence and loss of appetite. For all these symptoms the medicine named Senna is very important.

Silicea 30: Obstinate constipation, stools are retained for a long time in the intestines. They pass out only after great straining. The stools are partly expelled and then recede back, forcing the person to remove them mechanically with the fingers. The patient has intolerance for cold weather. In fact, he wraps himself with warm clothes even in summer. However, he has a liking for cold drinks and foods like ice cream. These symptoms affirm the usage of the medicine Silicea.