Health and Diet Blog

Caroline Miller asked:




Traveling with an infant doesn’t have to be the stuff of nightmares. You don’t have to be the mom or dad that everybody glares at mid air, when your child is throwing a tantrum. Flying with a baby requires a lot more planning and foresight than flying with preschoolers or older kids. Plan accordingly, make sure your carry on luggage includes a few essentials and you can have a relatively hassle free flight without going hysterical.

First, take your car seat along. The American Academy of Pediatric recommends that children below the age of 2 years be strapped to a child seat on flight. This makes it easier for you, because you won’t be left holding the baby uncomfortably on your lap. Your baby is also likely to feel more comfortable in a familiar car seat, and therefore less cranky. Remember to book your child’s eat in advance, and take care of seating assignments. Car seats are normally allowed for window seats, or at the center of a row in between aisles.

If you balk at the thought of purchasing another ticket for your baby, remember some parents will give you a free seat for your baby during off season times when planes tend to be not so full. While making reservations, confirm with your travel agent that the airline is open to giving you an available free seat for your baby.

Some airlines will also allow you to book a baby bassinet or cot, although your child will have to be lesser than 8 months old to take advantage of this.

Your carry on bag should contain disposable bibs for meal times, a bowl and spoon, and feeding bottles. Make sure you take along a small tin of baby food – although crew might offer you baby food, it might not be the one you’re baby’s used to eating. Take along a bottle of pre boiled water which you can then ask the crew to warm up again if you need.

A good idea for breastfeeding moms – Ask for a window seat. Take a small blanket or thick sheet and use a couple of pins to attach it to your seat and the seat in front, to create a privacy screen for you. If you don’t have a window seat, ask other passengers if they can trade. Put on your most helpless look, add a pleading tone to your voice and no one will say no!

Anna Hart asked:


Most people think of heartburn as a normal part of life – uncomfortable, but normal. Everyone they know gets heartburn at one time or another. They know the television ads by heart – the ones that show people thumping or rubbing their chests to indicate they have heartburn. Typically, people take an antacid and suffer until the burning sensation passes.

Heartburn symptoms are indeed common, but that is no reason to treat them too lightly. Heartburn symptoms do not happen by accident. They are a warning issued by your digestive system.

Heartburn symptoms must be considered in the context of their closely-related concerns: acid indigestion, acid reflux, acid regurgitation, non-cardiac chest pain, and sour stomach. Heartburn symptoms should also be considered in relation to GERD symptoms.

Heartburn symptoms closely resemble the symptoms of all the above, especially symptoms of acid.

Frequently-described Heartburn Symptoms

Heartburn symptoms are most frequently described as a burning sensation. Some may say they feel heat or warmth in the upper abdomen. Others describe heartburn symptoms as pain in the lower chest.

Heartburn symptoms occur behind the sternum – the central breastbone. The location, near the heart, is the reason for the name “heartburn,” but the heart is not involved. Some have described their heartburn symptoms as a feeling that the heart is on fire.

In addition to the burning pain, heartburn symptoms can include trouble swallowing, nausea, gas, and bloating.

Heartburn symptoms last as long as 2 hours for some. Some people have difficulty sleeping due to heartburn symptoms.

Why Heartburn Symptoms Need Attention

Heartburn symptoms, whether mild or serious, occasional or frequent, need attention. Let’s look at some of the reasons, beginning with one of the most serious.

1. Heartburn symptoms can feel much like heart attack symptoms. If you have heart disease, or are at risk for heart disease, seek medical attention immediately, even though you believe it may be heartburn. It is not worth risking serious or fatal results.

2. Heartburn symptoms, if frequent, can lead to serious medical concerns such as cancer of the esophagus. The acid that washes back into the esophagus can damage the sensitive linings of the esophagus, and lead to GERD. As it worsens, cancer can develop.

3. Heartburn symptoms are not isolated pain. They occur because something is not right in your digestive system. Heartburn symptoms are warnings. Just as you should not ignore warning lights on you car’s dashboard, you should not ignore the warning provided by heartburn symptoms.

Cause of Heartburn Symptoms

Heartburn symptoms are caused by a malfunction of the sphincter muscle at the bottom of the esophagus. This ring of muscle, the lower esophageal sphincter, is known in shorthand as the LES.

The first job of the LES is to open so that swallowed food can enter the stomach. Its second job is to close quickly to keep stomach food and juices from washing back into the esophagus.

When the LES is weakened, pressured, or relaxes inappropriately, it malfunctions. Stomach juices, and even bits of food, reflux (wash back) into the esophagus. Since the linings of the esophagus are not meant to handle the strong stomach acids, the nerves react with a sensation of burning.

Listen to Heartburn Symptoms

Since heartburn symptoms are the result of a malfunctioning LES, it makes sense to learn why the muscle is malfunctioning.

1. Does it need more oxygen?

2. Does it need more potassium or other electrolyte?

3. Is it dehydrated?

4. Would exercise strengthen it?

When another muscle malfunctions, we treat the muscle to strengthen it. Ask your physician how to strengthen your lower esophageal sphincter (LES).

Disclaimer: The author is not a professional health care provider, and intends the above for educational purposes only.

Janet Rusky asked:


The Effects of Vitamins for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

The symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome can vary from person to person. There are people who experience symptoms of diarrhea with their irritable bowel syndrome while there are some people who experience constipation. Because of this, there are different effects of vitamins for irritable bowel syndrome. Vitamins generally cause chemical reactions in the stomach and these reactions can either be beneficial or harmful to a person’s IBS. Here are some common effects of vitamins for irritable bowel syndrome:

1) Vitamin C – Also known as ascorbic acid, this vitamin has a laxative effect. People should be careful in taking this vitamin for irritable bowel syndrome as it can cause diarrhea when it reaches the stomach. People already suffering from symptoms of diarrhea should monitor their intake of vitamin C very closely.

Taking this vitamin for irritable bowel syndrome may also cause gas and bloating. This occurs when the acid of the vitamin reacts with the alkaline setting of the lower intestinal tract. You can try to observe this reaction by dropping a couple of mentos on a glass of diet coke.

2) Calcium – This vitamin for irritable bowel syndrome can have either a laxative or constipating effect on a person, depending on the type. People suffering from IBS should try to discover hat type of calcium is right for them:

a) Calcium carbonate – This vitamin for irritable bowel syndrome contains no magnesium and can relieve symptoms of diarrhea. This is the best vitamin for irritable bowel syndrome which is prone to diarrhea (IBS-D).

b) Calcium citrate – This type of vitamin for irritable bowel syndrome contains magnesium and thus, can trigger symptoms of diarrhea. This is the best for people who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome which is prone to constipation (IBS-C).

A good advice to follow when taking calcium vitamins for irritable bowel syndrome is to keep the amount at a maximum of 500 mg. This is in order to prevent triggering symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. It is also a good idea to take this vitamin for irritable bowel syndrome with vitamin D as this helps in the absorption of these nutrients.

3) Iron – This vitamin for irritable bowel syndrome can be quite constipating. People taking this vitamin for irritable bowel syndrome are also prone to stomach upsets. It is also a known fact that Iron interferes with the absorption of calcium.

Tips in taking vitamins for irritable bowel syndrome:

1) Try to get balanced doses of your vitamins – When buying supplements, make sure that those supplements deliver the right amounts of vitamins you need. It is important that a certain supplement does not contain a megadose of any vitamin as this could trigger symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.

2) Always take your vitamins with food – It is important that you not take your vitamins on an empty stomach. Doing so could increase the discomfort brought about by the chemical reactions caused by the vitamins. This is especially true with acidic vitamins like vitamin C.

3) Consult a pharmacist – Remember that there are different effects of vitamins for irritable bowel syndrome. If you are unsure regarding which vitamin supplement to take, you should get help from a pharmacist in finding the mildest vitamin for irritable bowel syndrome.

4) Take separate vitamins separately – Vitamins for irritable bowel syndrome also react in various ways with each other. For the best absorption of nutrients, you should try taking vitamins one type at a time.

Alison Cassar asked:


Bloating is a very common symptom that people often experience after eating a meal. The bloating is usually felt in the lower part of the abdomen and sometimes in the upper section. Bloating usually feels as if there is pressure being applied from the inside and people often report that they can look up to six months pregnant. Bloating after eating is often different to the bloating experienced with menopause, pregnancy and PMS. Bloating after eating feels gassy and is usually relieved after passing wind or burping. This kind of bloating can be caused by certain foods. However, if it happens frequently, it can also indicate a digestive problem such as leaky gut syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, candida overgrowth, intestinal parasites, celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and general food allergies and intolerances. Apart from bloating after eating, a common symptom of all of these conditions is chronic tiredness. This is because your digestive system is responsible for the breakdown and absorption of nutrients from the food you eat. If there is a digestive problem, its easy to become nutrient deficient and this commonly causes chronic tiredness.

So, how do you know if you are bloating because of foods that you are eating, or because you have a digestive problem? A person with a healthy digestive system will experience far less bloating, even with foods that commonly cause bloating. However, the list of foods below commonly causes bloating in many people.

· Raffinose – a sugar found in beans, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, asparagus, other vegetables and whole grains. Eaten raw, these foods cause more bloating than when they are cooked.

· Lactose – a natural sugar found mainly in milk and milk products, such as cheese, cream, yoghurt and ice cream. Lactose levels are much higher in milk and non-fat milk than in cheese and yogurt. Lactose is commonly associated with irritable bowel syndrome.

· Fructose – a sugar found in fruits and honey. It’s also used as a sweetener in some soft drinks, fruit drinks and processed foods. Fructose is also considered to be an important contributing factor to irritable bowel syndrome for many people.

· Sorbitol – a sugar found naturally in fruits, including apples, pears, peaches, and prunes, and is also used as an artificial sweetener in many dietetic foods and sugar-free candies and gums.

· Starches – most starches, including potatoes, corn, rice, bread, noodles and any products made from flour produce gas as they are broken down in the large intestine.

· Wheat – in particular, wheat appears to be a major source of bloating and gas. Most people find that if they eliminate wheat and flour products, their bloating nearly always improves.

· Soluble fibre – this type of fibre dissolves easily in water and takes on a soft, gel-like texture in the intestines. It’s found in oat bran, beans, peas and most fruits.

· Insoluble fiber – this type of fibre doesn’t dissolve in water and passes unchanged through the intestines and therefore produces less gas than soluble fibre. It is found in wheat bran and most fruit and vegetable skins.

· Legumes commonly cause bloating and gas due to their complex structure of starch and protein. Soaking and cooking legumes well helps to reduce bloating.

Please note: The information in this article is not intended to take the place of a personal relationship with a qualified health practitioner nor is it intended as medical advice.

Roxana Ayala asked:




So what makes the antioxidant blueberries form Alaska a miracle? They are not just your ordinary, every day blueberries, but the Kyani Alaska wild blueberries or otherwise known as the “Super Blueberry” help protect from a wide range of diseases, including: Cardiovascular disease, Cancer, Arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, Diabetes(which is very common) and Obesity. In the bestselling book, “Fourteen Foods That Will Change Your Life – Superfoods RX,” Dr. Steven Pratt identifies blueberries as one of the three major “Superfoods” that will change your life and your health. Why? Because blueberries contain more disease-fighting antioxidants than any other fruit, Dr. Pratt goes on to say that wild blueberries usually contain more antioxidants than cultivated varieties.The Alaska wild blueberry sits at the top of the blueberry kingdom. Because of Alaska’s harsh freeze/thaw climate and having to protect itself from the 24-hour-a-day summer sun, the Alaska wild blueberry has up to 10 times more antioxidants than cultivated blueberries. Kyani Sunrise also contains, with the Alaskan wild blueberries, pomegranate, wolf-berry, Noni, Aloe Vera, and other berry juices.

 

Along with Kyani Sunrise, which an ounce is taken per day in the mornings, Kyani offers a product for the end of your day. Kyani Sunset is an Omega-3 powerhouse. Sunset combines Alaska wild salmon fish oil with tocotrienols (pure Vitamin E). Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids are the two polyunsaturated fatty acids that are good for you. But Omega-6 (which are common in most foods we eat) and Omega-3 fatty acids are only beneficial as long as they’re consumed in balanced amounts. Omega-3 fatty acids can help maintain healthy cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, radiant glowing hair, improves mood and stress, boosts metabolism, controls appetite, maintain a healthy circulatory system, immune system and maintain a healthy respiratory system as well as play a role in supporting breast and colon health. Taking the soft gels daily will be like the equivalent of two servings of salmon per week. Dr. Steven Pratt says, “I tell my patients that blueberries are one of the three major SuperFoods, along with spinach and salmon. If you learn nothing else from SuperFoods Rx, remember to eat blueberries and spinach most days and salmon…these three foods alone will change your life and health.”

 

Kyani also offers a brand new product called Kyani Nitro FX. What is Nitro FX and what are the benefits? Nitro FX is Nitric oxide that helps maintain, repair and defend nearly every cell and system in the body. NO assists in combating pain, inflammation, digestion problem, insomnia, diabetes, and injuries. It also consistently linked to increase energy, improved sexual function, and even weight management. It also promotes optimal heart function by allowing more oxygen, nutrients, vitamins and growth factors to reach crucial points in the body. 

 

Nitric oxide (NO) is an important signaling molecule that acts in many tissues to regulate a diverse range of physiological and cellular processes. It’s role was first discovered by several groups who were attempting to identify the agent responsible for promoting blood vessel relaxation and regulating vascular tone. This agent was termed endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF), and was initially assumed to be a protein like most other signaling molecules. The discovery that EDRF was in fact nitric oxide – a highly reactive gas- has led to an explosion of interest in this field resulted in over 60,000 papers published in the last ten years and won the Nobel prizein 1998. Nitric oxide has now been demonstrated to play a role in a variety of biological processes including neurotransmission, immune defense, the regulation of cell death(apostasies) and cell motility. Nitric oxide is a short-lived, highly reactive molecule (with a half-life of a few seconds) that is produced from a group of enzymes known as nitric oxide syntheses (NOS).

 

So if you’re ready to be healthy and stay in good shape, DO NOT hesitate to order your Kyani Products! It’s very simple…

 

Becoming a distributor with Kyani is an exciting way of watching your health get a lot better and watching your wealth get to the point where you can spend more time with your family or loved ones, sleep much better at night, have your own schedule, change someone else’ life, and definitely be financial stress free!

 

To learn more about Kyani products and how to become a preferred customer or a distributor, you may visit my website at http://mykyanilife.com/roxy4kyani  or you may contact me directly at roxy4kyani@hotmail.com for help and questions.

Christine Dawson asked:




How Did I Cure MRSA Outbreaks after 3 Years of Severe MRSA Attacks?

I was diagnosed with MRSA about 4 years ago. It has cost me a fortune between the medical care, OTC products, cleaning supplies, and doctor bills. You see, I had a very violent strain of MRSA. It would rapidly spread across my body (especially to my soft tissues). My monthly routine consisted of going to the hospital, getting boils drained, receiving medicine, healing, cleaning everything around my house, and getting infected again. It is like I got trapped in the infection’s cycle. I was an emotional wreck. I grew paranoid and would panic whenever anything resembling MRSA appeared on my body. I felt hopeless.

Over time the frustration and embarrassment got to me. I tried so many different things to cure MRSA attacks, but nothing worked. My doctor even had to give me Vancomycin before I underwent a surgical procedure to ensure MRSA did not attack my surgical site. I was so depressed because I had no control over my condition. I thought there was nothing I could do. But after another depressing MRSA attack, I ignored the plea from my doctor stating “we’re doing all we can” and decided to find how to cure MRSA outbreaks on my own.

I was determined to find an effective MRSA cure or treatment program so I could prevent future MRSA outbreaks. I got online and spent the next 3 months looking at medical research, natural remedies, MRSA victim forums, emailing Naturopathic Doctors, and talking to Dermatologists. I saw over 200 websites to include foreign websites to gain a different perspective on MRSA cures, treatment, and prevention. I wasn’t looking for general information. I was looking for specific ways to cure MRSA (or at least control it) that were proven either through scientific studies or large clinical trials. If the answer I found was not backed by solid evidence, I ignored it and kept searching.

After 3 months of tiring research I found an effective MRSA treatment program. This process has allowed me to go more than 14 months without a single MRSA attack!

Cure MRSA Attacks with this Effective MRSA Treatment Program

MRSA – short for Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus – is a rapidly spreading concern, spreading like a forest fire across the world. It is a very dangerous strain of staph bacteria resistant to most antibiotics. It has been known to cause many deadly complications like surgical wound infections, pneumonia, and bloodstream infections.

In my search to find something to effectively cure MRSA attacks, first I needed to understand the most significant stages of a MRSA infection. Simply stated, MRSA needs two things to ensure it can successfully attack your body.

- Be near a break in your skin to be able to invade.

- Be able to quickly overcome your body’s immune system.

If you disrupt these two critical points of a MRSA attack, you can stop it altogether. However, this requires a two part approach:

1) Enhance Your Natural Immune System Responses

The primary way I stop my aggressive MRSA outbreaks is through immune system support. This is the most vital part of this program. If you can provide a compound shown to fight off MRSA internally, you can effectively suppress it.

My biggest problem was to identify an affordable compound proven to stop MRSA. As you know, there are many different “natural remedies” people claim stop MRSA, but not many of them have solid proof backing their claim. So I looked until I found a powerful compound that has shown to have very effective antibacterial and immune system supporting properties – specifically against MRSA.

I also located a website that showed the effects of this compound against 71 different MRSA victims. This herbal compound proved to be effective in 98.5% of these cases. If you want more on this, please visit my website.

2) Cripple MRSA colonization on your body

Do you suffer from recurring MRSA Attacks? If you do, this is usually a sign that MRSA has colonized on your body. “Colonization” of MRSA means you are carrying it on your body without signs of infection – that is, until it infects you!

This is why reducing the amount of bacteria on your skin is vital to your effective MRSA treatment program. What’s more, this can be accomplished by simply using the right kind of soap and/or lotion. You need to wash your body with a soap that isn’t too harsh, but still provides gentle antibacterial cleansing. Some soaps claim they provide antibacterial protection, yet you have to be careful because they may strip your natural oils causing your skin to crack on a micro level which can be infected by menacing bacteria.

Recently, there have been several bactericidal, non-prescription body washes that have been studied and shown to specifically combat MRSA. For more information on this, please visit my website.

Collectively, these two actions have allowed me not only to cure MRSA attacks on my body. It has allowed me to successfully suppress my MRSA attacks altogether. I hope this information helps you with your MRSA struggle.

If would like more specific information on this MRSA treatment program, please visit http://www.howtocontrolmrsa.com.

The Colon Cleansing & Constipation Resource Center asked:


Constipation and fecal impaction is not the same thing. Many people think that they are the same. While they both involve the intestines, bowels and fecal matter, they are two different problems that have to be treated differently.

Constipation is the term used to describe slow moving ***** or stool through the intestines. The longer it takes for fecal matter to be eliminated from the body, the drier and harder it will become. Symptoms of constipation include passing small, dry hard stools, a feeling of incomplete evacuation, straining, fatigue, bad breath, skin eruptions, abdominal pain, hemorrhoids and irregular bowel movements.

Fecal impaction is the term used to describe a large mass of hard stool or fecal matter that is “stuck” in the rectum. Symptoms of fecal impaction may be similar to constipation symptoms. However, in addition to those symptoms the individual may have bladder problems, back pain, nausea, vomiting, dehydration, a distended abdomen, a rapid heartbeat, sweating, fever, dizziness and even high or low blood pressure. Individuals who have a fecal impaction may also experience very explosive diarrhea. This diarrhea does not remove the impaction, it moves around the impaction.

Constipation can be very uncomfortable and annoying. Fecal impaction is far more dangerous than constipation. Fecal impaction can be life threatening. Fecal impaction that is not treated can worsen and the individual could possibly die from it.

Constipation can be caused by numerous things including not eating enough fiber, not drinking enough liquids, a lack of exercise, certain medications, changes in lifestyle or routine, ignoring the urge to move your bowels, abusing laxatives, irritable bowel syndrome, pregnancy, traveling and other various reasons.

Fecal impaction can be caused by ignoring constipation, pain medications, illness and long term use of laxatives. Many people are surprised to learn that prolonged use of stimulant laxatives can lead to fecal impaction, but it is true. With prolonged use the colon can become dependent upon the laxative to aid it in evacuation. When the colon has been exposed to laxatives and stool softeners for a period of time and then it does not get the expected dose, constipation and fecal impaction can occur. To put it simply, prolonged laxative use can make your body forget how to move and evacuate fecal matter on its own.

If constipation is not addressed and an individual develops fecal impaction it cannot be treated as easily. Fecal impactions in the rectum must be removed manually by a medical professional.

Constipation should be addressed at its onset to prevent a fecal impaction. Steps to alleviate constipation can include making changes in the diet, drinking an adequate amount of water, exercising and doing a colon cleanse. Tips to aid in stool evacuation include the following:



When you are sitting on the toilet, it is important that you do not hold your breath when you are trying to eliminate a stool. A good constipation tip is to breathe in your nose and out through your mouth. Holding your breath while you are trying to pass a stool can actually hamper the elimination process because it closes up the bottom. Learn how to push without straining. When you have placed your feet on the stool, simply lean forward and breathe normally. This will enable your stomach muscles to push the stool out without straining. Essentially, you are pushing from your waist. You should always respond to any sign that your bowels want to move. Delaying or putting off a bowel movement can aggravate constipation. No matter where you are, if you feel like your bowels want to move, find a bathroom.



Don’t let constipation get the better of you. Be proactive and take the necessary steps to keep you body’s digestive system in good health and running smooth.

Paul Courtney asked:


The pressures of modern living are having detrimental affects on our mental an physical stability. The pace of life does not permit time for reflection and meditation where we can still the mind allowing us to view our lives in a proper perspective. We all seem so very busy and so tied up in our material worlds that we are unnecessarily contributing to the levels of anxiety and fear we experience thus blurring our judgement and affecting our overall health.

Anxiety is perhaps one of the most common disorders in the world these days, not to mention one of the most complex. It is considered as being a normal and healthy emotion, until it becomes too serious and unmanageable, and this is where steps should be taken towards relieving the symptoms caused by anxiety, so that the person is able to live a normal life once again.

For those who suffer from severe anxiety problems find they tend to shy away from day to day problems blowing them out of all proportion , they tend to avoid or even run away from their fears instead of trying to analyse these minor problems seeing them in their true light.. Many are drawn to alcohol and drugs to find temporary relief from their fears, , this only exasperates the condition and quite often leads to relationship breakdowns, deterioration in health and other more major problems.

Anxiety Irritable Bowel Syndrome

There are a number of health problems that anxiety can cause, irritable bowel syndrome being one of the most common. Anxiety irritable bowel syndrome is an often complaint of anxiety sufferers, and when you have anxiety irritable bowel syndrome, the regular symptoms that one would normally experience from the condition are actually increased a great deal and both irritable bowel syndrome and anxiety are crippling enough on their own, let alone together.

If you have anxiety irritable bowel syndrome, you are going to want to seek medical attention as soon as possible, so that you can have your condition properly assessed and diagnosed, and get on the path to recovery. There are quite a few different methods of treatment that are available, and so you will have to work together with your doctor in order to determine what particular type of treatment will be best for you and your condition.

When it comes to treatment for anxiety irritable bowel syndrome, one of the first things you should try is to change your lifestyle. This means eating as healthy and balanced a diet as possible and getting plenty of regular exercise. You should also try out some stress management techniques for your anxiety irritable bowel syndrome, and this includes yoga, meditation, and other relaxation techniques.

If your condition is especially serious then you may even want to consider therapy or counseling as this will be able to help mostly with your anxiety condition and in turn will relieve the symptoms of your irritable bowel syndrome condition. You can also attend a self-help group for people living with irritable bowel syndrome or other digestive disorders, which is a great idea because then you will be able to talk to others who are going through the same thing as you are.

The Colon Cleansing & Constipation Resource Center asked:


Popular Methods

When it comes to relieving constipation, we are a society expecting quick fixes. We want it out and now, right? It’s no surprise we spend about 900 million dollars on laxatives each year. Laxatives, though, should be a last resort for many reasons. Since they are available without a prescription we tend to think of them as safe. Unfortunately, they can become habit-forming quickly and they are harmful to your body in the long-term.

Types of Laxatives:

Bulk laxatives – This is the best type of laxative to relieve constipation for prolonged use. Though usually taking a few days to start working, they can provide some relief. Remember to drink plenty of water. Bulk laxatives include: psyllium husk (available through health food stores), bran, ispaghula husk, and sterculia. Stimulant laxatives – These laxatives aim at increasing bowel contractions but can cause stomach cramps as a side effect. These are taken at night to have a morning bowel movement, as they are supposed to work within 6-12 hours. Senna is an example of a stimulant laxative. Although they work to relieve constipation, experts believe the contractions cause weakening of the digestive muscles which will eventually make the problem worse. Since these laxatives cause contractions, they are not safe for pregnant women. Glycerol suppositories are included in this group. Although they are inserted into the rectum, they still act as a stimulant. Osmotic laxatives – These go to work at relieving constipation by helping the bowel retain water and by softening the stool. Epsom salts and Milk of Magnesia are osmotic laxatives. Lactulose – This medication comes in crystals or liquid form. A type of sugar that isn’t digested by the body, Lactulose acts like a fiber and osmotic laxative combined. This type takes up to 3 days to work and may cause cramping and profuse gas.

There are other medications that act as stool softeners, which basically coat the bowel so water doesn’t get absorbed from the stool. Since the body naturally removes water from the colon, it isn’t suitable as a long-term solution for relieving constipation.

Natural Methods – Fiber In, Fiber Out

Adding fiber to your diet is essential to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, relatively free of constipation. If you think fiber means just eating more bran, think again. You can also add fiber to your diet via fruits (with the skin), green vegetables, nuts, grains and seeds. Nuts and grains are also important because they are a good source of essential fatty acids (especially flaxseed or flax oil) which are wonderful options to relieve constipation naturally.

Adding fiber to your diet may make you feel like a gas-filled balloon at first. If your body has been used to eating white flour, heavy starches, fatty meats, and other low fiber foods, it may take some time to get used to it. Don’t give up after one short week. Remember, it probably took years of eating a low fiber diet to make constipation an issue in your intestines. Give fiber a chance! After 14-21 days of including more fiber in your diet, you’ll start to wonder why you didn’t make it a priority before.

Forming new habits really means you’re getting rid of the old one. If relieving constipation is your goal, you’ll want to stay away from the constipation culprits like: white flour, fried foods, sweets, carbonated drinks, alcohol, refined sugars, and cheese.

Maintain Your Flora

No, we’re not talking about your vegetable garden. Good bacterial flora is essential for proper digestion. In fact, if you took all the bacteria in your digestive system and put them all together you’d have a mass the size and weight of a brick. When we abuse laxatives and enemas, we can create havoc on the good bacteria we need to avoid diarrhea and help relieve constipation.

Eating yogurt with live cultures is one way to maintain your flora population. Be sure to read the label of your yogurt container. It should say it contains “live and active cultures.” If you’d rather not take their word for it, check the ingredients for Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophius.

Refrain From the Strain

With some people, constipation stems from issues with muscle coordination. They seem to contract the **** muscles when they should be relaxing them. There are certain biofeedback methods available for people who suffer with this problem. The treatment is used on those suffering from severe constipation linked directly to this muscle contraction issue.

Weekly Cleansing

Most of the waste matter produced from the food we eat gets passed out within a 72-hour period. Sometimes, up to 30% of that waste can sit in the colon for a week or more. Since retaining waste is not good for the body or health, a weekly cleansing of the colon will go a long way at relieving constipation. Oxy-Powder® is a safe way to clean out any waste that may be loitering in your colon and using it once a week will help improve bowel function. Remember the following: Avoid chemical laxatives. True, they can work for a while but along with those results come the weakened bowels, potentially unsafe contractions, and other nasty side effects. Add fiber to you diet. Fiber bulks up your stool and helps it retain water, which makes it easier to move along. There are many tasty and nutritious sources of fiber from which you can choose, so don’t fear that you’ll have to eat twigs or acorns or something. Keep a good quantity of bacteria on hand. Especially while undertaking a thorough colon cleansing program, replenish your flora with healthful and yummy yogurt. Relax and go. Don’t strain or try to force out impacted waste. You can end up tearing tissue and hurting yourself in the process. Cleanse naturally. Leave the chemicals in your garage where they belong and try a supplement especially suited for the job, one that just helps clean your colon so it can work its best again. Follow these guidelines to help relieve constipation and you can feel great again!

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The Colon Cleansing & Constipation Resource Center asked:


Many people use Epsom salts to treat their constipation. Epsom salts work like a laxative. The salts can be mixed with water and taken orally or used in an *****. Epsom salts operate by increasing water in the intestines and they can bring temporary relief to someone suffering from constipation. However, there are dangers in using Epsom salts to relieve constipation and many people are unaware of them.

First, many people don’t know what Epsom salt truly is. Epsom salt is just a trade name for magnesium sulfate. One tablespoon of the salt contains about 35g (grams) of magnesium sulfate, or roughly 3.4g of elemental magnesium. This is a very large amount, especially if you understand the daily-recommended allowance is between 300-400 mg (milligrams) per day. Many people do not realize ingesting too much Epsom salt can result in death. Between 1841 and 1909, seven patients were reported to have magnesium toxicity and five of them died. The first reported death by using an Epsom salt ***** was in 1943. Sadly, magnesium ****** were commonly used on infants up until the early 1970’s when it was discovered as the cause in some deaths brought on by hypermagnesemia.

Epsom salts have many uses and consumers purchase it without giving it a second thought. However, the infrequent reports of death brought on by magnesium toxicity should give pause for concern. Epsom salts should not be ingested or used in an ***** if you have preexisting stomach pain, vomiting, or nausea. Women who are pregnant or nursing should talk with their doctor before using Epsom salts to relieve constipation. It is not known whether Epsom salts are harmful to an unborn fetus or nursing baby. In addition, certain drugs may interact negatively with Epsom salts. These include tetracycline, doxycycline, minocycline, oxytetracycline, sparfloxacin, penicclamine, digoixin, and nitrofurantoin. It is important to consult with your doctor before taking Epsom salts if you use any of these medications. To be completely safe you should talk with your doctor about Epsom salts if you take any over the counter medications, minerals, vitamins, or herbal products whatsoever.

If you are suffering from digestive trouble and you have been using Epsom salts to relieve constipation, you may be concerned after reading these statements. You may also be interested with using another method to alleviate your constipation. The first step to alleviating constipation is to start by improving your diet. Eat more fresh fruits and raw vegetables and add flaxseeds, brown wild rice, and whole grains to your diet. You should also consume at least eight 8-oz. glasses of water a day and exercise regularly. Exercising three to four times a week for 20 to 30, minutes can help to alleviate constipation. You do not have to do something major like engage in “boot camp” programs or running a marathon. Simple things like walking after dinner or climbing the stairs instead of taking an elevator can go far in getting your bowels moving more regularly.

Lastly, you can help alleviate constipation by avoiding laxatives. That may sound like a contradiction, but it is true. Laxatives can aggravate constipation because they make your bowels sluggish and dependent upon the chemicals to work. In addition, laxatives can cause other intestinal problems such as diarrhea and bloating, and they can even damage your intestinal lining over the long term.

An alternative to laxatives is performing a colon cleanse. By using an all-natural product such as Oxy-Powder®, you can cleanse your body of impacted ***** in a safe and effective manner. One reason Oxy-Powder is recommended is because it’s non-invasive and it does not remove the good bacteria necessary for a healthy intestine. Oxy-Powder works by liquefying and clearing out the sludge, fecal matter, and mucus lodged in your colon and intestinal system. In addition to bringing immediate constipation relief, Oxy-Powder also creates an environment welcoming to the “good bacteria” aiding in healthy digestion.

What can you expect from Oxy-Powder® in terms of results? As stated, it will liquefy the hard matter presently lodged in your system. You will have watery stools; however, this should not be confused with diarrhea, which is caused by viral infection of the digestive tract. The liquefying effect is simply a byproduct of the oxidation process. When you are first introducing your body to Oxy-Powder you should monitor how your body responds to it. While you will not have the harsh urge to go to the bathroom like you would if you had used an enema, you will have to go to the bathroom frequently and you will have extra gas. So it is recommended to stay close to a bathroom during your initial colon cleansing program.

Now that you have some pertinent information on Epsom salts, do your body a favor and save them for your bath water. Do not ingest Epsom salts to relieve constipation or use them in an ***** unless you are directed to do so by a qualified physician. There are safer ways to alleviate constipation that also provides effective, long-term results and are healthier for you without all the negative side effects. Be good to your colon and it will be good to you!