More than three days have now passed, but not even a hint from your intestine.
You’re on vacation and everything would be fine, if it weren’t for that bath that you really don’t, you don’t like it and it’s not stimulating at all! The stressful period at work or exams at school are over yet the gut is still on strike. The belly is always swollen and the feeling of heaviness and discomfort does not seem to be enough to awaken the intestine from its lethargy.
If you recognize yourself in at least one of these categories, you probably also suffer from functional constipation or constipation like 13 million other Italians. Constipation
: the most common causes
ConstipationIt is a very common intestinal problem, but it is above all a symptom: it is the way that your intestine has chosen to tell you that there is a slowdown in intestinal transit and therefore you have to change some behaviors to restore the correct functioning of the digestive system.
The most frequent causes that give rise to episodes of constipation mostly concern food choices:
- Eat low in fiber, i.e. fruits and vegetables
- Have a diet rich in sugar and meat
- Drink a little water
- Make a drastic and unbalanced weight loss diet
Movement is also important: a sedentary lifestyle and little exercise may be some of the reasons why the intestines become sluggish and it becomes increasingly difficult to overcome the period of constipation.
Often we also witness the so-called ” traveler’s constipation “: long journeys, perhaps in climatic areas very different from their original one, new foods and drinks can disturb the intestinal flora, causing a swollen stomach and constipation.
Finally, we never stop feeling how much the current Western lifestyle leads to constant states of anxiety and sources of stress. A particularly stressed period or the inability to followthe normal intestinal stimuli for social reasons has real repercussions on the nervous system of the intestine, which in turn stresses and decides to slow down its normal activities.
Constipation can be cured with some simple natural remedies . Once the causes of pathological origin have been eliminated, when more than three days pass from the onset of constipation, some very effective natural remedies can be put into practice:
- Add more fruits, vegetables and whole grains to your daily diet to help hydrate the intestine while the fibers contained in these foods promote intestinal transit.
- Prefer foods with laxative properties that stimulate the activity of the colon , such as artichokes, plums, bran, legumes and milk.
- Avoid stringent foods such as lemon, rice, and bananas, and all foods that can inflame the colon , especially sweets, meat, cold cuts, fried foods, and sodas.
- Make sure you drink at least two liters of water a day.
- Eat quietly and chew each bite slowly
- Use lactic ferments and probiotic supplements to restore the intestinal flora.
If changing your eating habits is not enough, nature comes to our aid with food supplements and plants to prepare herbal teas or digestive and soothing decoctions for the intestine .
Some plants that can be taken as a natural remedy for constipation
- Cascara, Senna and Rhubarb influence the movements of the colon, stimulating contractions and thus ensuring a faster evacuation.
- Fennel helps fight the sense of heaviness and flatulence.
- Licorice is rich in emulsifying properties and protects the gastric mucosa.
- Gentian increases salivary secretion facilitating the digestive process.
The best remedy for constipation remains prevention: a balanced diet rich in fiber and whole grains, avoiding accumulations of stress, exercising and never postponing the moment of defecation are all good habits to cultivate to avoid constipation even during more stressful times and long journeys.
Curiosity
Did you know that the intestinal bacterial flora was called “flora” because it was thought that the bacteria belonged to the plant family.
The scientific name of the intestinal bacterial flora and intestinal microbiota , or set of symbiotic microorganisms.
