Monday, March 2, 2009

Colon Cleanse: Very Effective Solution to Constipation

By Sue Thompson

Every year, 4 million people report suffering from constipation. Many of us experience constipation occasionally, but there are those who chronically suffer from this condition. Chronic constipation poses significant health risks and needs to be given special medical attention. There is a way to relieve the discomfort caused by chronic constipation. A colon health cleanse flushes out the impacted waste matter in the colon and bowel. This is what causes the bloated and gassy feeling a sufferer experiences. With the waste matter out, there is noticeable weight loss.

The great American actor John Wayne was slim as a young man but steadily became heavier as he grew older. When he died, compacted hard fecal matter was found attached to the lining of his intestines. It weighed a total of 60 pounds! A colon cleanse could have easily removed it. A weight loss of 5 - 15 pounds or more often results after a colon cleanse.

If you do not move your bowels daily, you may be experiencing chronic constipation. A healthy frequency is two times a day. There are many adults who only move their bowels twice a week. This is not good as it can lead to many serious diseases. A person who is suffering from chronic constipation is one who has been experiencing the following symptoms for at least a year:

Pelletized stools

Feeling that you have not completely eliminated everything after a bowel movement

Straining during defecation

Feeling like you have not completely emptied your bowels even after you eliminate

The usual causes of constipation are: lack of fiber in the diet, lack of exercise, inadequate water intake, and stress. When we are stressed, our bowel muscles tend to contract at different times. In a normal situation, the muscles in the upper intestinal tract contract as the lower muscles in the bowel relax. However, when instead of relaxing the lower muscles in the bowels contract, problems occur and constipation if one of them.

Anything that causes a change in your normal diet and exercise program can cause constipation. Traveling is an example because it interrupts your regular routine. Inactivity is another cause. This may be due to a medical condition or an injury. Constipation is common among the elderly because age-related health problems often keep them from being active. Many young people these days however, live a sedentary lifestyle. This combined with poor nutrition have increased the number of obese children. Studies show that 50% of children now suffer from obesity.

You can add fiber to your diet with a fiber supplement which comes in pills and in powder form. Health products, though effective, can be very expensive. A more practical way is to simply consume more fiber- rich foods like fruits and vegetables. You can start eating fresh fruits for dessert instead of sweets or ice cream, and have more salads for lunch and dinner. You can easily find great tasting high fiber recipes. A healthy diet does not mean eating tasteless and bland meals.

If you have been inactive for a while, exercise can be a struggle at first. Begin with something easy. To stimulate blood circulation, start with some simple stretches and then you can add activities later on, one at a time. A walk around the block, a lap in the pool, or a bike ride can do a lot for your stamina. Your muscle tone will also begin to improve. It will not take long before you start feeling the positive effects.

The modern diet contains large amounts of unhealthy man-made ingredients that wreck havoc on our digestive system. Our bodies were not meant for such substances. These cause our digestive system to be lined with mucoidal plaque which slows it down and as a result, waste matter gets stuck. The longer it stays in the large intestine the more water is absorbed. It then becomes hard and dry and difficult to pass.

It is time to seek medical help if the symptoms of constipation last for more than two weeks. Your doctor will be able to determine the cause so you can decide the best treatment option to take. In many instances, a colon cleanse combined with a healthy fiber rich diet is a good way to relieve chronic constipation.

Always be aware of the frequency of your bowel movements and make sure that your colon and intestinal tract are clean. Consume at least 15 grams worth of fiber everyday. Stay clear of products with high fat content and those which contain milk of magnesia, high fructose syrup, and aspartame.

As long as you exercise regularly, eat a diet high in fiber, are well hydrated and use a safe and natural colon cleanser, having regular bowel movements will not be a problem. - 16004

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