Doctors define constipation as having three or fewer bowel movements in a week. But if you are having less than one a day, you probably have a problem. Either you are not eating, or you have a bit of blockage. You are probably dehydrated and lacking fiber in your diet. It is O.K. (even preferable) to have three bowel movements in a day.

Constipation is a very unpleasant thing that many people experience. However, it is easily avoidable.

Avoiding it is much easier than getting rid of it once you have it. But even getting rid of it doesn't have to be that hard.

The basic problems that cause constipation are dehydration, and lack of dietary fiber. So avoid things that cause dehydration and eat plenty of whole fruits and vegetables and whole grains. Drink plenty of good clean water regularly. These are simple basic things that will help you to avoid getting constipation.

If you already have constipation, the same things will help you to get over it. Remember that the biggest part of the problem is dehydration. Drink lots of water, but never more than a ½ gallon per hour. A gallon or two per day (spread through out the day) is a good goal. Also eat lots of fruit. Fruit is very good because it contains water and good dietary fiber, along with nutrients to help everything along.

Fiber should come from eating good whole (often raw) fruits, vegetables, and grains. Taking fiber supplements is not recommended for any long term use. Fruits, vegetables, and grains, have many other health promoting nutrients besides just the fiber, which makes them far superior to fiber supplements.

Another thing to mention is that you can get constipation by being too sedentary. Make sure you are getting some exercise nearly every day. Muscles are what make everything move.

Stress can also be a cause of constipation, as it can shut down or disturb whole systems of the body. Do some relaxation everyday. Breath deeply. Have a positive attitude, and enjoy life.

Of course there are unnatural causes of constipation that call for special care. There can be actual physical malfunctions and blockages, as well as interference in the system caused by drugs and other toxins. If you have long term constipation that you just can't seem to get over, and a change of lifestyle doesn't seem to help, get checked out by your doctor to make sure everything is functioning as it should.

Perhaps you have heard that many people carry around 5,10,15, or even 20 or more pounds of impacted fecal matter in their bodies. This is true. But a healthy lifestyle can change all that.

One doctor who does lots of colonoscopies started having his patients start on a regimen of drinking a quart of alkaline water before each meal, eating fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and getting on an exercise program. This resulted in clean healthy colons after several months of following the program. Further study shows that there is no reason that the water has to be an alkaline water to obtain the same results. Just make sure that the water is clean. However, this is a good time to remind you to avoid chlorinated water, because it kills off the good bacteria in the gut that helps us to digest and assimilate our food.

Sitting on the toilet for prolonged periods and/or trying to force a bowel movement is not good for the body. If your bowel movement doesn't start within about 15 seconds of sitting on the toilet, then get up and drink some water and move around. Maybe even eat another apple.

A bowel movement shouldn't be forced, it should be natural.

Just eat a high quality natural foods diet, exercise, drink plenty of good clean water, make sure you get fiber (whole raw foods), get plenty of sleep, breathe deeply and have a gratitude attitude.

Your body will take care of you, if you take care of it.

Coach G.

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Success in health comes from lifestyle described here.

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Tags: bowel, constipation, dehydration, fiber, fruits, health, natural, vegetables, Water, whole foods

Catagories: Basics, How To, Solutions, Water, lifestyle