WOMAN'S WAY - August 2006

health & wellness

Are you ready to admit, you suffer from constipation?

 

As children, most of us had regular bowel movements. Food went in and food came out. As we grew older, our bowel movements were regulated by school bells or work schedules, vacations and business trips. Unfortunately, performing to scheduled bowel movements and ignoring the urge to go is the first step to creating a lifelong bowel problem. How many bowel movements should a person have in a day's time? The natural rhythm should be two to three times a day. Breaking this rhythm could derail other natural rhythms in the our body. Healthy bowel move-ments are essential to a healthy body.

There are many reasons recorded that cause constipation: lack of exercise, lack of water, eating too many refined carbohydrates. Then there are certain medications that can cause constipation, like some of the cholesterol lowering drugs, one of the prostate drugs, and some muscle relaxants. Other disorders are often causes of constipation as well, like irritable bowel syndrome, Fibromyalgia, lupus, Crohn's disease and neurological problems.

Enough about what causes the problem. Let's talk, about the solution. For many constipation sufferers, the solution is simple. For short-term relief, a natural cleansing formula for one week to one month is enough to get it moving again. Add fiber supplements and an oil supplement to keep things working properly.

Natural cleansing: Take a one week to one month natural cleansing program. There are two types to consider, either herbal or mineral, depending on which you prefer.

1. Mineral bowel flush: Magnesium is a miracle mineral; one of its benefits is its ability to increase bowel movements.

2. Herbal bowel flush: Aloe, turkey rhubarb, buckthorn, black walnut and triphala all are effective at easing constipation.

Daily fiber: Eat more fiber! Your colon needs both soluble and insoluble fibers to be healthy and maintain regularity. Insoluble fiber which is the kind found in whole grains, add bulk to the stool and collect water as it moves through the colon. The bulking quality also helps scour the colon walls, removing little bits of waste matter.

Daily flax or fish oil supplement: Flax oil and fish oil soften the stool, making it easier to pass.

Now add these lifestyle solutions:

Exercise: helps to eliminate toxins through sweating. Try jumping rope, walking, jogging, swimming or any other form of activity you enjoy for about 30 to 45 minutes a day.

Drink more water: The bowels need an adequate water supply to moisten waste products and allow for the smooth movement of waste through the bowels.

Reduce daily stress with peaceful walks, prayer, medication or gardening ... or do something that you love to do that will relax you for at least a half an hour a day.

Ready to change your life now? To be more regular and healthy, start by going to your local compounding pharmacy for the solution. Let someone help you find the proper cleansing product you need to get started. •

Angle Fielden, Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Specialist at Solutions Pharmacy, has five years' experience in counseling and educating patients. Solutions, 4632 Highway 58 North, has been named "the nation's experts in formulating Bio-identical hormones" by the American Medical Review. Call (423) 894-0423 for an appointment for a free in-house hormone assessment.