Bowel Blockage: 6 Simple tips to stop constipation

Keep it Moving: 6 Simple tips to stop constipation

MF editorial team

21 Jan 2017

mis à jour le 3 May 2019 à 07:23

Often a painful and common ailment, constipation should be relieved gently.

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Get physical
Some physical activities, such as walking or yoga, regulate the constipation situation by performing an internal massage of the viscera. A study showed that walking regularly relieved women of intestinal disorders and stomach aches. So try not to spend all your time at the office just parking yourself at your desk for 8 hours straight!
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Adopt the right position
The modern toilet certainly provides plenty of comfort, but the seated position is not anatomically favourable to doing your business - in fact, the sitting position promotes chances of hemorrhoids by placing excess pressure on the intestine. Naturally, it is a crouching position that we should be using as the optimal position! To compensate and facilitate the expulsion, here’s a good trick: place a small low stool in front of you, on which to place your feet and elevate your knees while you are seated on the toilet. Simple, but effective.
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Boost your fibre intake
They give volume to your stools and accelerate intestinal transit. Increase your consumption of fresh and dried fruits, nuts, green leafy vegetables, legumes (cooked well) and wholegrain products, all of which are great sources of much-needed fibre.
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Drink plenty of water
It is essential to hydrate your body (and, in turn, hydrate and soften what passes through your system). It is necessary to drink a minimum of 1.5 litres of liquid per day. We recommend water that is rich in minerals like magnesium, which can act as a natural laxative.
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Focus on natural remedies
Natural remedies like certain essential oils - ginger, for example - bring a gentle and appreciable aid to constipation (2 drops in a teaspoon of honey, 2 times a day will do the trick). You can also use mandarin essential oil (diluted in 4 times its volume of vegetable oil) to massage the belly clockwise to facilitate the transit. Perhaps your local TCM practitioner may be able to suggest gentle and natural ways to soften your stools.
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Set regular appointments
Your intestines like regularity and they don’t like it when you change your schedule. This is why you might find yourself feeling constipated after a long flight or while you’re away on holiday - your body is a little confused. It is therefore important to go to the toilet every day at around the same time. In case of discomfort during a “missed” session, one can take a gentle laxative to get things moving. But never depend on laxatives as a long-term solution.

Irregular eating, lack of hydration or physical activity, stress, as well as raging female hormones and a change of lifestyle can cause many women to come down with occasional bouts of constipation. Sometimes, it can be a chronic problem. So, how should you relieve a “lazy” transit and avoid uncomfortable sessions sitting on the toilet? Some tricks may be obvious, like boosting your fibre intake, but others (like sticking to a 'regular schedule') might not. Don't worry, we've got you covered.

Head up to the gallery to pick up a few tips that will ease your bowels.

Isabelle Delaleu

Photos: Getty Images

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