It's the most common gastrointestinal complaint among Americans - resulting in MILLIONS of doctor visits every year - but literally millions more people prefer to keep their problem to themselves - quietly spending three-quarters of a BILLION dollars every year on various laxatives. Yes, we're talking about CONSTIPATION - the nation's uncomfortable little secret.
So, exactly what is constipation? The definition can vary greatly, depending on what medical practitioner you ask. Some believe that having a bowel movement three times a week is normal, but most advocates of natural medicine agree that at LEAST one bowel movement a day is necessary for optimum health...Why?
The bowels are a holding tank for waste and need to be cleansed every 18- 24 hours.
If waste is not eliminated, toxins and antigens begin to form.
The bacteria and undigested food MAY play a role in the development
of such serious conditions as diabetes, meningitis, myasthenia gravis,
thyroid disease, Candida, chronic gas and bloating, migraine
headaches, fatigue, as well as ulcerative colitis.
Here's another startling fact - MORE THAN 20 YEARS AGO, an article in the
prestigious Lancet Medical Journal stated that women who have fewer
than 2-3 bowel movements a week are FOUR TIMES MORE LIKELY to contract
breast cancer than women who have one or more bowel movements every
day...
Let's talk about some of the common causes of CONSTIPATION...
How about -
Traveling or other changes in routine
A lack of fiber in the diet
Not enough liquids - particularly water
Lack of exercise - which is necessary to stimulate lymphatic
flow
The effects of certain medications - such as pain medications, anti-
depressants antacids containing aluminum, iron supplements, diuretics, and
many more...
Certain diseases and medical conditions, such as Multiple Sclerosis,
Lupus, and liver disease!
Abuse of laxatives
Lack of good bacteria!
Lack of enzymes
There are several symptoms of constipation and poor elimination. So let's get down and dirty and talk about them right after this.
A feeling of incomplete elimination
Back pain
Bad breath and very smelly stools
Diarrhea
Frequent mucus, colds and viruses
Poorly formed, hard, small or ribbon-shaped stools
Sluggish elimination
Skin problems such as rashes, boils, and acne
Just down right feeling like the seven dwarfs all rolled into one -
grumpy, dopey, sneezy and all the rest of those little guys!
Can anyone identify? Well, if you suspect you may be suffering from
constipation and can totally relate to the pipes being clogged, let's talk about how you can determine the health of your colon!
Look at the color of your stool - as a rule, it should be walnut brown.
What is the consistency of your stool? It should be the consistency of toothpaste and approximately the length of an average banana.
How frequently are you eliminating? Many natural health advocates agree that once-a-day is good, but three times a day is ideal...if that seems excessive, remember how babies eliminate...
Does the stool sink or float? That tells a lot about what kind of foods are in your diet.
And remember, always have toilet paper, don't forget to flush and yes according to colon therapist the size of the toilet makes a difference! If your potty is too tall get a small stepping stool or phone book, prop your feet up, and you'll have smooth moves!
Ok, so if this is you...I'm stepping on your toes and ringing your bell, or reading your mail what do you do???
Make time to eliminate, and go at first urge
Internal cleansing is a big first step that can't be ignored
Restrict or eliminate refined sugars, starches and processed foods - all
of these contribute to constipation. In the case of white flour items
like breads and pizza dough, they can take up to THREE DAYS to come out of
your body!!!
Don't take laxatives - they actually contribute to constipation, and the
body can become dependent on them...use natural things instead.
Drink more liquids - specifically WATER - NOT COFFEE, soft drinks or
alcohol, they all contribute to constipation!
Use Probiotics to keep the Colon healthy
Eat high fiber, natural foods such as fruits and vegetables - good
examples are prunes and figs.
EXERCISE
Essential Fatty Acids - such as Flaxseed
Aloe Vera
Use Milk thistle to aid in liver function - it stimulates bowel
movement
Fresh garlic destroys harmful bacteria that can cause constipation
Enemas - coffee enemas and enemas with Probiotics
Better still, do a cleanse!
Now typically we would ask the audience to ask questions, but on with the subject at hand, we asked them to write down their questions ahead of time!
Just remember that if you never took your trash out, it would stink and so will you! And, finally know that constipation is not just an embarrassing problem; it's a BIG ISSUE and can be one of the contributors to many serious and deadly diseases. Not to mention you just feel bad!
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