Household Remedies for Constipation

Constipation can cause abdominal discomfort as well as pain and bleeding from hemorrhoids that result from passing a hard stool. Constipation is common during pregnancy due to hormonal changes and may result from poor dietary habits and a lack of exercise. Household remedies for constipation may include eating certain types of foods, increasing physical activity and strategies for managing stress.

Function

• The purpose of using household remedies in treating constipation is to avoid side effects from over-the-counter and prescription products, such as cramping and a sudden need to use the bathroom. Also, some medications may not be appropriate for certain people, such as pregnant women.

Fiber

• Eating foods with plenty of fiber, such as pears, prunes, apples, whole wheat breads and legumes, may prevent constipation, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Fluids

• Drinking plenty of water and non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated beverages can prevent the stool from becoming hard and painful to eliminate.

Exercise

• According to the Mayo Clinic, gentle exercise, such as walking, can help move the bowels and strengthen and coordinate the muscles needed to push stool out of the body. In babies, moving their legs in a bicycling motion is effective to help move the bowels.

Supplements

• According to the Mayo Clinic, supplements such as sulfur or the herb bryonia can soften stools and make them easier to pass.

Flaxseed

• According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, flax and flaxseed are natural laxatives that can be taken as a pill or mixed with water.

Warning

• People who use fiber as a household remedy for constipation should take care to consume plenty of extra water, otherwise the constipation could get worse.