Constipation In Pregnancy: Natural Treatments

Because of constipation in pregnancy, many women experience bloating and even pain. Another consequence is hemorrhoids, which are also painful. Commonly experienced by pregnant women, constipation in pregnancy is caused by normal transformations of the pregnant woman's body. However, pregnant women need not suffer. Home remedies and other natural approaches are effective in relieving constipation in pregnancy.

What Causes Constipation in Pregnancy?

The level of progesterone increases sharply during pregnancy, causing constipation. Progesterone causes the woman's muscles to relax, in preparation for labor. The intestines also relax and slow down. The result? Constipation.

Although causing much discomfort, this slowing down of the intestines is actually important during pregnant. It allows the pregnant woman's intestines to absorb vitamins, minerals and other vital nutrients from foods. This is the body's way of assuring that the growing fetus will get all the nutrients its needs for proper growth and development.

The relaxation of the digestive system also allows the pregnant female's body to absorb more water. Because of her increased blood volume, the pregnant woman needs more water.

Iron, which all prenatal vitamins contain, also causes constipation in pregnancy.

What Natural Remedies Can Relieve Constipation in Pregnancy?

1. Drink more than 8 glasses of clean water daily. Refer to your doctor to determine how much water your body needs. There is a formula based on your weight.
2. Eat more high-fiber foods. These include fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Good choices are green, leafy vegetables, unsweetened prunes or prune juice, apple juice, and old-fashioned oatmeal. Try to eat a little of these foods every day.
3. Engage in regular exercise. Walking is effective in stimulating the digestive system. There are also yoga poses that are good for digestion. Consult a certified yoga instruction about yoga poses that are safe during pregnancy and can effectively ease constipation.
4. Switch to a different brand of prenatal supplements that contain a form of iron that doesn't cause constipation. Calcium and magnesium also help relieve constipation. Inquire with your doctor about the best prenatal supplements for you.
5. Consult with a homeopathic doctor about homeopathic remedies that treat constipation in pregnancy.

Although normal, constipation in pregnancy causes much discomfort and inconvenience. Fortunately, it is easily remedied by safe and effective home remedies and other natural treatments. Pregnant women should never take drugs to alleviate constipation. The natural remedies described above are sure to provide relief.

Alexis Rodrigo is a certified childbirth educator and runs an information website on natural parenting. To learn more natural ways to relieve pains in pregnancy, go to http://www.naturalmomsblog.com

Understanding The Benefits Of Catnip Tea

By Dr. Caroline Marrison

There is a wide belief that Catnip Tea can be highly health beneficial. It can either be bought as fresh catnip which is said to be more potent or packaged. The applications of Catnip Tea range from fever reduction over anti-inflammatory or antiseptic. Some have even used it as a pain-reliever. Catnip Tea basically is a relaxant which is why it is often used before going to bed. While it is usually used as a tea it can also be supplied in leaves that can be chewed.

Most people know Catnip Tea for its relaxing sedative properties. Parents like to mix the tea with a few bits of honey to make it taste better for their children. It has the effect to calm restless children and to treat colic as well. Adults like it for its effect on the nervous system which relaxes the body and promotes restful sleep.

There is a lot of other uses for catnip like relieving constipation, stimulating perspiration and acting as a diuretic. It is however to be avoided by pregnant women because it regulates menstruation and relieves cramps.

Catnip tea can be used to reduce fever but it can also be used to increase perspiration without raising temperature to treat the flue, colds, chicken pox or scarlet fever. That is not all however as it can also relieve stomach ache, gas, acid indigestion, upset stomach and control diarrhea.

The tea water of catnip tea can also be gargled or inhaled instead of drunk. Gargling catnip tea can treat sore throats or cough while inhaling it can be helpful to ease the effects of a cold and other respiratory infections. Lastly it can also relax the spasms of asthma.

The antiseptic and antioxidant properties of catnip tea are said to reduce inflammation and to help heal infected gum because of this effects. It is best used as a mouthwash to relieve the toothache. It is also possible to saturate cotton balls with the tea and apply the balls directly to the gum.

Catnip leaves are rich in tannin and vitamins C and E, antioxidants which help the body to heal and repair itself. The tea is used topically on the skin to reduce inflammation and promote healing of burns and scalds, on cuts and abrasions to stop bleeding and disinfect the wound, and to relieve the sting and itching of insect bites. It is applied as a topical liniment for pain, bruises, sprain, rheumatism, and arthritis.

Applied in a bath catnip tea can be used to soothe an irritated scalp and to treat eruptions on the skin. The scent of catnip can repel rats and other insects of applied on the body or ingested.

About the Author:

Dr. Caroline Marrison talks regularly about the effects of Catnip Tea on her blog. It features interesting guides like the one about Catnip Tea For Infants.

Constipation Remedies And Colon Cleansing

By Keith M. Henry

Colon cleansing is becoming very popular,and is becoming more and more routine among those who want better health. A colon cleanse can be very beneficial for all sorts of ailments even abnormalities like chronic constipation and acne

Constipation can be caused because of irritable bowel movements, excessive and chronic use of laxatives, worry, anxiety, fear, lack of physical activity and problems with intestinal function (chronic idiopathic constipation) etc. However, the most common reasons for constipation are a diet low in fiber or a diet that is high in fats, such as cheese, eggs, and meat.

Bowel Friendly Foods

Grapes have proved highly beneficial in overcoming the occurrence of constipation. The combination of the properties of the cellulose sugar and organic acid in grapes make them a laxative food. Fennel has properties in curing digestive problems. The regular use of fennel will normalize the working of the digestive system and heal the constipation problems. Fennel has exceptional properties in curing digestive problems. It is traditionally provided in Indian cuisine after each meal. It is also found in some commercial colon cleanses.

Fruit salads with fruit such as guava and papaya can be very helpful in cases of constipation. Such fruit salad provides good roughage that helps clear your bowel system and thus prevent constipation. In fact the regular consumption of papaya in the morning on an empty stomach helps prevent constipation. Fruits naturally contain the right balance of distilled water and nutrients to act as natural constipation remedies.

Exercise

Exercise, or lack thereof, is seen as a cause of constipation because some believe that without regular exercise our metabolic rate slows, which means a longer digestive cycle and thus less regular bowel movement. Among other reasons the fact is, the longer the stool spends in your digestive system, the more water is excreted from the stool, which results in a harder stool which is more difficult and painful to pass.

Colon Cleanse

A dependable commercial colon cleanse will typically be plant based and will support and encourage intestinal detox with a combination of bulk fibers, natural laxative-like compounds, and so forth. As an illustration psyllium husk and fruit pectins provide essential fiber to the digestive tract, whilst herbs like Slippery Elm bark, Cascara Sagrada, and Marshmallow powder promote natural flushing of the colon.

In a nutshell bad eating habits, lack of exercise, not drinking enough water etc., lead to constipation, and the sooner these habits are dropped and corrective habits instituted, the sooner relief from constipation will be realized.

About the Author:

Keith M. Henry is a missionary herbalistand Natropathic Doctor candidate. Try hisEden Cleanseat his site. Visit his Blog to read lots of great info about natural remedies

Long Term Stress Causes Long Term Problems

If stress is ignored for a long time, and the person suffering chooses not to address the underlying causes, then this is considered long term. Long-term stress can cause damage - both psychological and physical - to the patient. Paradoxically, the damage caused can in itself bring on stress, thus creating a vicious cycle.

Untreated, stress can intensify into anxiety or into depression, both of which can cause very serious long-term problems. Again, both of these conditions carry with them both psychological and physical components; a sufferer of depression may distance themselves from friends and family, thus setting up a situation where their pain is intensified.

The physical results of depression and anxiety can include cardiac issues. Most directly, it can cause a condition called unstable angina. Sudden and crippling chest pain results from constricted oxygen flow to the heart. Obviously this can set a person up for heart attacks and there have been incidents of sudden stress causing a blockage of heart arteries.

High blood pressure can be brought on, or exacerbated, by anxiety or depression. The effects of high blood pressure can be very serious and may lead to strokes; at the very least, patients find it necessary to take long-term medication in order to regulate their blood pressure.

Less serious (though still debilitating) conditions can be triggered by stress. It may lead to a compromised immune system, which leaves one more vulnerable to a range of everyday viruses and bacteria such as colds, flu and strep. Tension can also cause upsets in a patient's digestive system, irritating the bowel and other parts of the digestive system. While they are rarely dangerous, symptoms such as bloating, constipation, gas, and diarrhea are distasteful and frustrating.

Coupled with digestive problems the food habits of a sufferer may be affected, causing eating disorders. Some people turn to food as a comfort, while others may find themselves unable to eat. In extreme cases, obesity and anorexia may be brought on by the effects of anxiety and depression. Eating disorders are not the only problem; increased rates of diabetes and arthritis have been linked to stress, and its debilitating effects may interfere with long-term management of those conditions.

Yet another problem is sleep disorders. Anxiety can cause a sufferer to toss and turn at night, missing the sleep that is so vital for stress management. Once again, a cycle is created of anxiety leading to interrupted sleep, which itself contributes to the underlying problem. In this situation it is common for sufferers to turn to sleeping pills or other artificial sleep aids in order to get the sleep that is so desperately needed. But of course, these methods of sleep management carry with them inherent risks which can turn into long-term problems.

There are a variety of ways to reduce the stress in your life, many of which you can put into action for yourself. You'll find many effective tips for stress management at http://www.BeyondStressed.com

Valuable Treatment for Hemorrhoids is Embraced by Sufferers

By Kyle Stanley

Studies have shown there are literally millions of people who suffer in silence daily with the pain and irritation caused by hemorrhoids. Treating the symptoms can be different for each person depending upon the severity of the condition.

Hemorrhoids seem to come from a genetic predisposition to this ailment in most cases, but the condition is usually brought on by certain conditions. The treatment for hemorrhoids differs depending on the circumstances of each individual. Most people seeking treatment for hemorrhoids start with their local pharmacist who should be able to help.

Each individual should look at the circumstances that exacerbated the condition. Some people develop hemorrhoids because of their jobs. These people develop hemorrhoids if they have to sit for long hours to do their work. Other people just sit around too much watching television and develop hemorrhoids. The people who must sit to do their job might try to get up and walk around as much as possible to alleviate the condition.

The people watching television too much need to get an exercise routine. Some people end up with hemorrhoids because of the way they go to the bathroom. These people must try not to push too much to alleviate the condition. Some people may develop hemorrhoids because of their diet or because they are constipated.

Different People Require Different Treatment for Hemorrhoids

In extreme cases, surgery is a treatment for hemorrhoids. Usually sufferers looking for a treatment for hemorrhoids do not require a doctor visit. The pharmacist at your local drug store can advise you on a treatment.

The sufferer should talk about the condition with the pharmacist, who can furnish them with information on the available options for treating their condition.

The key to solving this problem is finding out why it is there. If it is a matter of the wrong eating habits, changing this should do the trick. If the lack of exercise is contributing to hemorrhoids, exercising vigorously for at least a half hour each day should be worked into their daily routine.

A pharmacist can also suggest various creams, ointments and suppositories; all of which can be an effective treatment for hemorrhoids. There is a treatment for hemorrhoids which can alleviate the suffering of anyone afflicted with this common condition.

About the Author:

What are hemorrhoids? Who cares? You just want to find a hemorrhoids treatment that works, right?

Effective And Natural Constipation Remedies

By Keith M. Henry

Many constipation remedies have become popular because of chronic constipation. This is a abnormality tolerated by many people who don't experience regular or frequent bowel movements. Those who experience ongoing constipation grapple with symptoms that include abdominal bloating, intestinal pain, skin problems, nausea, headaches and lethargy. Constipation symptoms could also include infrequent bowel movements, hard stools, or strain during bowel movements.

Dr. Linda Berry is a a chiropractor and clinical nutritionist, and she summarizes the symptoms of self-poisoning in the following manner, "If you experience any of the following symptoms, you may be experiencing autointoxication (a process whereby you are poisoned by substances produced by your own body as a result of inadequate digestion and elimination), and therefore you might want to consider some type of internal cleansing program.Common symptoms resulting from accumulated toxins in the bowel can result in the following conditions:

Depression, Allergy Symptoms, Frequent headaches, Bad Breath , PMS, Fatigue, Ulcerative Colitis and colon cancer, Insomnia, Irritability, Frequent Gas and Bloating , Frequent and/or alternating bouts with constipation and diarrhea , Frequent Infections , Excess weight, Impaired digestion Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Parasite infestation , Hemorrhoids , Frequent colds and a Protruding belly.

Causes

The cause of the condition can be ascribed to chronic dehydration, chronic stress, certain medications, bad diet, lack of fiber, lack of physical exercise, dehydration and certain sicknesses. Surprisingly, "postmortems oftentimes disclose colons that are plugged up to 80 percent with waste material" revealed Vegetarian Times, March, 1998. The consequence of this is the toxic condition of the full system, and the ending consequence is disease and at length death.

Constipation Remedies

Addressing the annoying side effects of irregularity typically requires a aggregated program of attack which commonly includes one of several constipation remedies. Constipation remedies are commonly classified as hydrating, bulk-forming, lubricant, emollient, osmotic, or stimulant.

Constipation remedies can range from at-home "recipes" that people have used for centuries, to contemporary chemical laxatives. Natural and non-invasive constipation remedies can be very useful, contingent on your plan of attack. For example amongst the effective home constipation remedies is flax seed.

Blended with apple cider vinegar, flaxseed is one of numerous natural constipation remedies. The reason it is so useful is because it utilizes essential fatty acids that help lubricate the bowels and establish proper bowel function.

A great constipation remedy is made by of boiling 2 cups of water with 2 tablespoons of flaxseed for 10-15 minutes. Once you strain the flaxseed from the boiled mixture, you have a gelatinous substance, which should be consumed on an empty stomach.

A teaspoon of apple cider vinegar can be added to intensify the remedy's effectuality. This mixture can be ingested on a daily basis until systematized bowel movements are experienced.

Something else that you could do is to eat three or four tablespoonfuls of ground flaxseed daily. It could be blemded into a smoothie, sprinkled on salads or added to other dishes.

There are herbs that also work well as constipation remedies to help detoxify the bowel, and to feed it and restore it, as well as to feed and restore other organs such as the gallbladder; these herbs include casagrada sagrada, senna, and rhubarb among others.

There are many very effective constipation remedies and we'd do well to avail ourselves of the same. The old adage is true, and we should take it seriously"Death Begins in the Colon".

About the Author:

Constipation issues? Get Eden Cleanse Colon Cleanse. It is one of the best herbal constipation remedies on the market. And unlike other constipation remedies it is all natural.