Bowels and Irregularity

Most people feel embarrassed to talk about  their digestive systems - their intestines
(colon) (bowels). They may also feel shy about asking questions about bowel movements. You should know what's normal and what's not.
 

What's Normal ?

Many people think that "normal" means having a bowel movement every day, but that's not necessarily true. People are different, so their bowels are different. "Normal" can mean anything from three bowel movements a day to four a week. If your normal schedule fits somewhere in that range, then you probably do not have constipation.

 Constipation !

Constipation is what people call "irregularity," and it's not just a problem for older people. It does affect everyone at some point in time, and for some people most of their life.

Normal bowel movements should be soft and easy to pass. They shouldn't be dry, hard, or painful. If they are, or you've gone for more than four days without having a bowel movement, you may be constipated. Constipation means that you're not moving your bowels often enough, or your bowel movements are hard and dry and usually painful to pass.

If you think that you're having a problem with constipation, there are some simple ways of getting your bowels back on a regular schedule. Most of the time this means changing the kinds of foods you eat. You may need to eat fewer fatty and greasy foods (like fried foods) and fewer sugary foods (like candy bars and chocolate). You need  foods rich in fiber (like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains). Drinking eight 8oz.glasses of water each day is one of the best things you can do for your intestinal tract.

Exercise is another way to keep your digestive system moving, so you may want to replace some TV time for a bike ride or some sport activity. You might also try getting up a little earlier in the morning to give yourself a few extra minutes to use the bathroom before going out.
 If you feel the urge to use the bathroom, don't wait. Waiting for a better time to go only makes constipation worse.

And no matter what the TV commercials say, try not to use laxatives unless it's absolutely necessary, consult your doctor to see if it's appropriate. Laxatives can actually increase constipation if they're not used properly.

One of the best ways of relieving constipation is to take a simple warm water enema which is so much better for you than laxatives.
This easy procedure only takes a few minutes and is relatively comfortable and is safe to use.