Yoga for Constipation

MEANING

Constipation refers to a condition when a person is unable to clear his or her bowel. It is quite common among people of all ages. A person suffering from constipation finds it difficult to pass faeces and, consequently, experiences a lot of pain and discomfort.

Constipation might often result in anal canal rupture. Diarrhea is also a common fallout of this syndrome. However, for many people, passing stool after two days is a common affair and hence cannot be termed as constipation.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

• Children suffering from constipation do not have the habit of passing stool regularly.
• The stool is hard and it often results in rupture of the anal canal skin. This can lead to blood loss.
• After meals, one might have the feeling that the stomach is bloated and that may lead to general discomfort.
• Intense pain often accompanies bowel movement.
• Cramps, poor appetite and vomiting are common symptoms of constipation.
• Children who suffer from constipation have a tendency of bed wetting.
• Urine’s normal flow is also affected. So, children suffering from constipation often do not want to urinate.

CAUSES

• There are many reasons that lead to constipation.
• Dehydration often leads to constipation.
• Rupture of the anal canal skin evokes fear in the mind of child and thus she/he refuses to pass faeces. The rupture causes great pain and blood loss.
• Mental stress often causes constipation.
• Improper food habits also lead to constipation.

YOGIC MANAGEMENT

• Asanas have proven to be helpful in overcoming constipation.
• Bhujanghasana helps in digestion and curing constipation.
• Trikonasana assists the individual to pass stool normally.
• Ardha Matsyendrasana increases the digestive fire and relieves a person from constipation by allowing easy bowel movement.
• Supta Vajrasana helps in digestion and thus cures constipation.
• Laghushamkha-Prakshalana is a deep cleaning of the small intestines. It is a series of asana done under the supervision of an expert. This entails complete digestive track cleansing and provides relief from constipation instantly.

HOME REMEDIES

• You can eat two apples every morning.
• Drink a glass of lemon juice in water and add a pinch of salt in it.
• Eat papaya every morning on an empty stomach. A fruit salad containing papaya and guava can be taken any time of the day.
• Warm lime water is beneficial for preventing constipation.
• Soak dry grapes overnight and take them early morning on an empty stomach.
• Add a tablespoon of flax seeds in a glass of water and keep it aside for about 3 hours. Drink this flax seed water before sleeping.
• Take orange juice anytime of the day.
• Spinach taken in cooked or raw form is quite beneficial in cleaning the bowel system.

AYURVEDIC MANAGEMENT

• Take ripe bael fruit.
• Pulp of ripe fruit of the cassia tree is used for treating constipation.
• Castor oil is also an effective laxative.
• Chebulic myroblan’s pulp is taken with rock salt or flavored with cinnamon and cloves.
• You can also take a glass of water with a tablespoon of phyllium husk early morning on an empty stomach.
• Termnalia chebula normalizes functioning of the colon and improves the digestive tract.

CONCLUSION
The treatment of constipation must focus on doing Yogasanas everyday. Home remedies are also beneficial. Apart from these, holistic management can correct irregular evacuation of bowels and treat constipation successfully.

(All the information in this document is well researched but general. To know more about remedies of these diseases please contact our specialists)