← Return to Constipation: What helps you?
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Hi abdullahdev,
Sorry this is so long but I feel so happy to have regularity after having problems most of my life!!! Best of luck. Stick with it and you can find what fits for you! I am so glad I didn't even consider surgery. You can form fit the changes you need for just you. Be sure to be active too. Keep a notebook and record timing, menu, changes, appearance etc it really helped me.
Disclaimer: This is only my experience going natural. I have used organic, integrative, functional, holistic Naturopathic doctor's advice along with my MD’s since the early 1980's. There is science in alternatives too.
I work closely with my ND, he told me to study the Migrating Motor Complex and Osmotic Gradient, He bet that I would find something that worked for me. Goal: how to keep a longer than normal pipe consistently moist…. (but even if you don't have a redundant colon this is the mechanics of our our bodies work) My ND also said because my condition was physical, attention would be needed from now on.
I tried laxatives - not consistent + side effects like bloating, etc. All say for occasional use. They disrupt the system if taken continuously. I liked a response of a co-redundant colon person: “It’s physical” so regular constipation suggestions may not work. Don’t give up. It took me 4 months to feel I could depend on being regular. It is worth going natural.
Dec 2023 the doc had me do non sedated colonoscopy. He went through my colon as I watched on TV. I had had a baby years ago (natural and could stand pain) so it was no big deal. Most people in world don't get put out. Very interesting and it helped allow the scope to get through because I relaxed. He showed me the redundancy. No wonder I had been constipation on and off starting in my teens. I’m now in my early 70’s.
Throw sugar out along with processed and refined foods. Look up foods and drinks that constipate and give them up, at least as a test. OptiMag and K2+ Potassium are great supps. I take them when I go to bed and once in the night (important to keep colon moisture consistent). I include prunes/prune juice, winter squash, sweet potatoes, rhubarb etc in my diet. I eat cups of steamed vegetables each day. I grind 2T chia, 1 T sesame seeds and 2 T flax seeds, then soak in prune juice overnight. I add a T or two of carob now since it can help regularity. Take all in the morning. Drink lot of water starting with a quart of hot water in the morning - boy scouts. I use warmed up diluted chicken broth at times too. It is soothing to my stomach. Have heard kiwi's are good but haven't tried them. Coffee and Smooth Move are my back ups. I don't like coffee and never have drunk it much but it usually works for me in a pinch. Thankfully I only need coffee a few times a month. I depend on this for daily REGULARITY first "chore" each morning. I am an early riser and when off the farm I don't want to wonder if I will have REGULARITY.
Check out helpful research of biological processes that take place in our gut:
- Migrating Motor complex which is the electroactivity in the GI tract during meals and fasting
- Osmotic gradient. If too much water is pulled into the colon, diarrhea results. If not enough water is pulled into the colon constipation results. Balance of minerals is important. Magnesium, potassium and sodium brings water into the colon. I have found balancing these help prevent constipation. I have to watch my calcium supplement intake because it tends to encourage constipation. Calcium carbonate seems to be the most constipating. I depend on blood work from time to time to make sure my minerals are balanced.
Wheat can be an allergen like all grains with gluten so is hard on the gut. I gave it up years ago and eat cooked millet and buckwheat occasionally or use the ground flour. Also it might be best to eat veggies cooked + consciously chew each bite at least 30 X. I also soak my seeds at least overnight - chia, flax, sesame after I grind them in a coffee seeds only grinder. I soak nuts I eat overnight too and even steam my carrot sticks lightly.
Oh and letting stress go is important too - I know how scary it can be to have irregularity. Golly it seems there is no hope for relief but it is worth looking at diet and trying lifestyle changes that can help. Good luck, @farmersmith
Replies to "Hi abdullahdev, Sorry this is so long but I feel so happy to have regularity after..."
Thank you for your post and info. Very helpful. My symptoms - similar- constipation alternating with loose stools- are improving. I use smooth move too but only if other things don't work. I do believe sugar is an issue for me as well as artificial sweetness. I am still working on my diet etc. Green tea helps me a lot. So does about a tablespoon several times daily of Metamucil. I had to stop calcium supplementation despite a diagnosis of osteopenia.Very constipatinv for me. Fresh fruit helpful. Veggies too. Tomatoes and green beans work for me. Affording all this challenging so I am working on it. The less medication I take prescription wise helps me.