 What causes constipation?
Most people have at least one bowel movement a day. However, bowel habits vary from person to person and less frequent bowel movements are not necessarily a sign of constipation.
Constipation happens to everyone occasionally, but some people suffer from chronic constipation which makes their lives a misery and each bowel movement a huge relief!
Occasional constipation is usually caused by diet, lack of exercise, stress or drinking insufficient liquids.
Chronic constipation can be caused by a variety of factors, including digestive disorders like IBS, lack of fiber and fluid in the diet, depression, lack of exercise and some medical conditions like diabetes, colon cancer and hypothyroidism.
Constipation may also be a side effect of some prescription drugs for depression, high blood pressure and pain relief. In addition, many people have lost natural bowel movements due to the overuse and abuse of OTC and prescription laxatives. Constipation may also begin when you change your baby from breast milk or baby formula to whole cow's milk, and when your switch from baby food to solid food.
Infant constipation. Young children often ignore the urge to have a bowel movement and may become constipated. Your child may not want to interrupt play, ask a teacher or use a public restroom. For some children, it may be normal to pass stools as far apart as every few days. But you should treat hard stools that are difficult to pass and those that happen only every 3 days as constipation.
However, even some herbs are not suitable for regular use due to their excessively strong purgative effects.
Herbalists and naturopaths from cultures all over the world have used herbs for centuries to promote regular bowel movements, purify the system and treat constipation.
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