Tips to Help Improve Bowel Movements

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After seeing a relative battle with constipation off and on for over 30 years, I finally was able to convince him to go to a doctor. While many doctors are quick to prescribe medication to improve bowel movements, this doctor simply made some suggestions about lifestyle changes. In less than three months, my relative was feeling better than he had felt for a long time. Now, almost five years later, he continues to do natural things to keep constipation at bay.

This is not to say that some people do need medication or corrective surgery to help improve bowel movements, it’s just important to keep in mind that constipation can be alleviated naturally in many cases as well. Since over $700 million is spent on laxatives each year, it is safe to say that constipation is not an uncommon phenomenon. What many people don’t realize is that you can often improve bowel movements by changing your diet and taking care of yourself physically and mentally. Two of the best things that you can do to improve bowel movements is to drink plenty of water and eat foods high in fiber. Dehydration can contribute to constipation.

If you drink 8-10 8 ounce glasses of water everyday, you can help keep your body well hydrated. Foods high in fiber include bran cereals, fresh vegetables and fruits such as apples, cabbage and asparagus, and whole grains are great to help improve bowel movements. There are also foods that can help contribute to constipation such as cheese, milk and meats depending on how your body digests them. Stress can also affect your bowel movements, so taking care of yourself mentally is important to help improve bowel movements.

If you are experience constipation, don’t be fooled into thinking that laxatives and medication are the only way to alleviate it. Yes, it will alleviate it for a while, but if you don’t change your lifestyle, you will never completely improve bowel movements. Find out how a few changes in your lifestyle could give you almost instant results.

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• Tags: Improve, Movements