Bowel preparations for constipation. How to normalize bowel function at home

Diet and its quality play an important role. There are foods to improve digestion, but we often carelessly prefer fast food, which, unfortunately, leads to atrophy of important functions of the digestive system. In addition, fast foods, fast food, sugary carbonated drinks, chemical additives lead to thinning of the intestinal walls and the entry of harmful substances into the blood, accompanied by such symptoms of intoxication as loss of strength, headache, irritability, etc., i.e. . worsen the quality of life and our health.

In addition, there are many other causes of indigestion, such as low fluid intake during the day, lack of movement, stress, certain diseases (low blood pressure, diabetes, etc.), side effects of drugs, etc.

How to reduce the load on the body during the consumption and digestion of food? What foods are good for digestion, and which ones should be avoided or limited? These questions have been of concern to nutritionists for a long time. Having studied this topic thoroughly, they came to the conclusion that not all products are equally beneficial for the body, some of them improve the functioning of the digestive system, while others, on the contrary, slow it down.

Light and heavy foods

Substances that inhibit the work of the stomach and intestines include heavy foods for digestion, a feature of which is high calorie content and difficulty in digestion. Such products include rich products made from premium flour, meat and meat products, semi-finished products, sweets, pies and cookies, fatty dairy products. Heavy foods include some vegetables, fruits and berries: potatoes, corn, bananas, avocados, grapes. Nuts are considered heavy because of their calorie content.

Light foods for digestion, on the contrary, are distinguished by a reduced number of calories and ease of absorption. This is mainly the majority of vegetables, fruits and berries, as well as some types of meat (lean meat of turkey, chicken, quail, veal), low-fat dairy products, etc.

But in order to divide products into 2 types, it is necessary to take into account not only the chemical composition, but also the method of preparation of products. The same product can be light when boiled or baked and heavy when fried. For example, a soft-boiled egg has a low calorie content and is much easier to digest than scrambled eggs.

In addition, it is important to consider the combination of products during meals. For example, a cutlet or milk without bread is digested easier and faster than with it, and even more so with a bun, as in fast foods.

Top 10 Digestive Foods

And yet, it is impossible to say with certainty that light foods are foods to improve digestion, and heavy ones are not. It's not about calories, but about the presence and quantity of the main assistant of the digestive tract - fiber in the composition of the product. It is fiber that mainly contributes to the rapid and complete absorption of food and, in particular, nutrients.

Nutritionists identify 10 main foods that promote digestion:

• Bran and bread products made from wholemeal flour.

In terms of their prevalence and availability, they rank first among the products for improving digestion. A significant amount of fiber, as well as vitamins and minerals, make whole grain bread an invaluable aid to the digestive system. The most useful is rye bread, which is often included in diets to normalize digestion.

• Cereals.

Preference should be given to whole grains, in which there are more vitamins and nutrients. Alternatively, cereal can be used. The most common and healthy breakfast option is oatmeal cereal with fruit. A worthy substitute for it is flakes from a mixture of cereals, also rich in fiber and vitamins.

But germinated wheat is considered to be the most useful product for the health of the digestive system, as a source of youth and renewal of the whole organism.

• Legumes.

Beans, lentils, peas, beans are not only rich sources of dietary fiber, but also valuable suppliers of minerals necessary for our body, such as zinc, iron, calcium, etc.

• Nuts and seeds.

Despite their high calorie content, they are an indispensable source of fiber, unsaturated fats and nutrients. The optimal consumption rate is 100 g per day.

• Pear.

The sweet and tasty fruit known to everyone gives not only pleasure, but also great benefits, thanks to a significant amount of fiber and vitamins in ripe fruits. It not only promotes the digestion of food, but also has a fixing effect, which equates it to drugs for intestinal disorders in the form of diarrhea. A pear is also useful for the pancreas, facilitating its work. The sugar in this amazing fruit is presented in the form of fructose, which does not require insulin produced by the pancreas for its absorption.

• Avocado.

An exotic fruit rich in dietary fiber. A typical fruit contains approximately 12 g of dietary fiber. Avocado jam or puree improves the microflora and intestinal function, which is an excellent prevention of constipation.

• Flax-seed.

This inexpensive product has a number of useful properties. It contains two types of fiber: soluble and insoluble in sufficient quantities. Flaxseed oil is an excellent laxative, and the seeds themselves and products from them can reduce blood cholesterol levels. Seeds are also useful for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Due to the large amount of mucus secreted when it enters the body, flaxseed protects the walls of the esophagus and stomach from irritating factors, prevents the absorption of toxic substances. Flax seeds help to remove undigested food residues and decay products, which helps to improve the situation with constipation or obesity.

• Berries.

Blueberries, strawberries, gooseberries, and raspberries are also high in fiber, with 2.5 grams or more. These are delicious and healthy foods to improve digestion.

• Dried fruits.

Dried apricots, prunes, raisins, figs, dates, dried apricots, etc. have a beneficial effect on bowel function. They are recommended to be taken between meals.

• Green vegetables.

Leafy vegetables are not only a valuable source of insoluble dietary fiber, they saturate the body with vitamins and minerals. But not only leafy vegetables are rich in fiber. Beets, many types of cabbage, radishes, cucumbers, zucchini, asparagus, carrots, celery are in no way inferior to their counterparts.

Digestive foods for constipation

Very often, digestive problems are accompanied by such an unpleasant symptom as constipation. Difficulties with bowel movements not only cause discomfort, but also cause irreparable harm to our body. Stagnant feces contribute to the stretching of the large intestine, and it, in turn, squeezes other organs, which negatively affects their activity.

Harmful substances from feces (slags) enter the bloodstream, poisoning the entire body. This leads to the hard work of the liver, kidneys, lungs, glands and skin - the secondary organs of excretion. Working in an enhanced mode, they wear out quickly, immunity decreases and many different diseases arise, ranging from the simplest allergic reactions to dangerous oncological and cardiovascular diseases.

We conclude: we must fight constipation in order to protect our body. But how to do that? First, change your lifestyle from sedentary to active. Next, reconsider your attitude to nutrition, giving preference to foods that improve digestion. These foods are high in fiber, which aids in the rapid digestion of food and the removal of processed foods from the body.

Give preference to raw vegetables and fruits. In this regard, vegetables such as cabbage, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, carrots, beets, broccoli, spinach are very useful. In some gastric diseases, eating raw vegetables is undesirable. In this case, you can use sauerkraut and carrots. Cauliflower, spinach and beets are useful raw, baked and boiled, the main thing is not to expose them to a long heat treatment.

From fruits it is better to choose apples, avocados, peaches, tangerines, grapes, bananas. Pears in this situation are best consumed with the skin.

From dried fruits, prunes, as well as raisins and dried apricots, have a rather strong laxative effect.

Many fruit and vegetable juices have a laxative effect on constipation: apple, plum and grape juices, juice from asparagus, potatoes, cabbage, prunes drink.

Include flaxseed in your diet. Ground flax seeds with milk is an excellent remedy for constipation.

Limit your consumption of white bread, giving preference to products made from wholemeal flour or loaves with bran. Include bran products in your diet, which are now available in almost all stores. But do not forget that the use of fiber in large quantities requires an increase in the amount of water you drink. In any case, water consumption should be at least 2.5 liters per day.

Forget about snacks and dry food. Soups, borscht, weak meat and vegetable broths are suitable food for you with constipation. Avoid fast foods and fast food, which only complicate the situation.

Do not get carried away with drugs for constipation. Products to improve digestion contribute to the active work of the intestines to remove feces from the body, and medicines simply do this work for him, which leads to addiction. Subsequently, the body simply cannot do this work on its own.

If during or after eating you feel heaviness in the stomach or you already have problems with the stomach and pancreas, include foods that contain digestive enzymes in your diet. This will help the fast and high-quality processing of food and the absorption of nutrients contained in it, improve the intestinal microflora, strengthen immunity, remove toxins and free radicals that violate human DNA, which leads to genetic disorders and the occurrence of cancer.

So what foods can help our digestive system handle a heavy load with ease?

• Dairy products: kefir and yogurt.
• Sauerkraut in its own juice.
• Live kvass (you can easily cook it yourself on the basis of rye bread).
• Apple cider vinegar (add it to salads, marinades, sauces).
• Kombucha (used as a drink).
• Sprouted wheat in the form of cereals.
• Exotic fruits: papaya, pineapple, avocado, banana, mango.
• Various nuts, sesame, soy.
• Garlic, damn.
• Cowberry.
• Beef tripe.
• Malt.
• Cottonseed oil.
• Soy sauce.

As you can see, to help your body is quite in our power. Often digestive problems occur during the holidays with an abundance of fatty and heavy foods. Do not forget to include the above products in the menu, and the problem will be solved. If you suffer from gastrointestinal diseases, then products to improve digestion containing enzymes should always be present on your table.

And finally, let's dwell on a moment that will interest people who are overweight and women who strive to always be slim and beautiful.

There are 3 main ways to deal with excess weight:

• Through physical activity.
• Through strict or sparing diets.
• The natural way with the assistance of appropriate foods.

Let's take a look at the last method. Nutritionists recommend managing your weight by eating foods to speed up digestion. It is not only tasty, but also healthy, as it does not create an additional load on the body. Such products improve metabolism and help burn fat, contributing to weight loss and rejuvenation of the whole body.

Foods to improve digestion for weight management:

• Dairy products: yogurt, low-fat kefir, yogurt.
• Drinks: coffee, quality green tea.
• Almond nuts.
• Turkey meat.
• Fruits, especially grapefruit, apples, kiwi, lemon.
• Spinach.
• Beans.
• Broccoli.

• Spices and seasonings: ginger, curry, cinnamon, black pepper, bay leaf, turmeric, nutmeg.
• Soy milk.
• Oatmeal, bran.

It turns out that for a healthy diet and maintaining the body in a normal state, it is enough to eat healthy foods that are familiar to us and give up harmful and junk food. Then there is no need for medication.

Eat right, eat foods that improve digestion, and you can avoid many health problems.

Statistics show that the means used for indigestion are in high demand in pharmacies. But not always ready-made preparations are needed for treatment, sometimes you can cope with the problem on your own. It is recommended to use folk remedies, do certain exercises, but only after consulting with your doctor.

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Constipation is functional (they occur due to malnutrition), then they are easily removed by adjusting the diet. But often in irritable bowel syndromes, constipation alternates with diarrhea. This requires a different approach to treatment. It is necessary to eliminate the very cause of their appearance, and the rest of the time the treatment will be symptomatic. For constipation, laxatives are used. But with diarrhea, special medications are rarely used. It is only advisable to refrain from eating for some time and limit yourself to rice water and sweet tea. This will help restore the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.

When alternating diarrhea and constipation, it is important not to overload the body with heavy meals. In summer, many people already try to eat more vegetables and fruits. But in the cold season, sweets, cookies and other foods immediately appear in the diet, clogging the body and negatively affecting the stool. This should not be allowed - nutrition should be rational.

Constipation can be accompanied by other problems. For example, the so-called compensated constipation is often accompanied by flatulence (increased gas formation) and bloating. Sometimes the symptoms taken together indicate diseases of the internal organs. But more often this happens due to the abuse of foods containing large amounts of carbohydrates, due to the accumulation of gases, a strong stretching of the walls of the stomach. In such cases, dishes and drinks that cause increased gas formation (black bread, sweet soda, etc.) are excluded from the diet.

For treatment, you will need pills. These include antacids that reduce the acidity of gastric juice, digestive agents and carminative drugs (Disflatil, Gerbion, Pepfiz and others). In folk medicine, for these purposes, such means as fennel, nutmeg, peppermint, saffron and others are used. Fennel is commonly used for flatulence in children. But in adults, it provides the same result.

If you have the problems described, you should seek the advice of a doctor, since constipation, combined with flatulence, can also indicate more serious problems.



How to improve bowel function?

Very often, with constipation, people almost without hesitation begin to take laxatives that are advertised on TV or on the Internet. But you can't do that. Most of these drugs belong to the group of stimulants. This means that they increase intestinal motility by acting on the nerve endings located in the mucous membrane. This may provide a quick result, but the independent work of the colon will deteriorate, without medication it will contract more slowly. This will lead to the fact that special drugs will have to be drunk constantly.

There is another group of laxatives. They are called osmotic drugs. Their action lies in the fact that they dilute the contents of the intestine, this contributes to its rapid excretion. But if you apply them too often, then the intestines will be less responsive to natural stimuli, then persistent constipation occurs. Or, on the contrary, with too large doses of such laxatives, diarrhea may occur.



To restore bowel function, it is better to use drugs based on lactulose. They help with any cause of constipation, whether it is an unhealthy diet or insufficient fluid intake. Lactulose is a derivative of milk sugar. It is practically not absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract, but it is a nutrient medium for bifido- and lactobacilli, that is, for a healthy microflora. Under the influence of this microflora, organic acids are synthesized, which soften the contents of the intestine and help improve its peristalsis.

Lactulose-based preparations are so safe that they are prescribed even for pregnant women and immediately after childbirth, when constipation is especially undesirable. The most popular drugs include Duphalac, Goodluck, Normaze, Portalak, etc.



Restoration of healthy microflora

To prevent constipation, you need to restore a healthy microflora. For this, lactulose preparations alone are not enough. All funds intended for the restoration of microflora are divided into three main groups. These are probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics. Probiotics are collections of live microorganisms, usually bifidobacteria and lactobacilli. Probiotics can be added to yogurt or kefir, so you can do without pharmaceutical preparations, but only if you regularly take fermented milk products.

Prebiotics are substances that feed healthy microflora. This is the already mentioned lactulose, as well as inulin. The human body does not absorb these substances, but they are important for bacteria. In addition to pharmaceutical preparations, prebiotics are found in beans, bananas, onions, cereals, etc.

Synbiotics are a mixture of probiotics and prebiotics. Such drugs are considered the most promising. But while their action is not well understood, and doctors usually prescribe pro- and prebiotics.





How to normalize bowel function after antibiotics?

Today, many believe that after taking antibiotics, it is imperative to undergo a course of treatment in order to restore digestion. But if the doctor picked up such a drug after a full examination, and the course of treatment was 7-10 days, then no special measures are usually needed. And even more so, you should not drink probiotics at the same time as taking antibacterial drugs - this is a completely useless exercise.

Not all antibiotics are equally dangerous for digestion. Most modern drugs act selectively on pathogenic microflora, without affecting bifidobacteria. But broad-spectrum drugs like semi-synthetic penicillins can cause damage to healthy microflora. Especially often antibiotics cause such an effect in preschoolers and the elderly, who already have a weakened immune system.

So that antibiotics do not cause digestive disorders, you must strictly adhere to all the rules for taking the medicine. Each drug has its own time - before meals, after or at the same time as meals. Moreover, a full meal is considered, and not a glass of yogurt.

While taking antibiotics, you need to temporarily follow a diet. Everyone knows that they cannot be combined with alcohol, but many people forget that at this time you can not eat spicy, smoked and fatty foods.

When taking antibiotics, you need to carefully monitor your well-being. If the drugs did not cause visible digestive disorders, and the patient eats well, then no additional medications are required. If there are any unpleasant sensations, for example, you need to strain more to defecate, there is bloating, then it is better to take a course of taking pro- and prebiotics. There will be no side effects from them, and the benefits are undeniable.

How to improve digestion?

The treatment of constipation is associated with the restoration of digestion. You need to accustom your body to eat by the hour, that is, every day at the same time. You need to eat more often, but in smaller portions, so as not to overload the stomach. About a third of the total calories should come from breakfast.

There are many physiotherapy methods to deal with the problem. These are electrical stimulation of the gastrointestinal tract, special massages, etc., but they require the help of specialists.

In most cases, you can improve digestion on your own, even without taking medications. And this can be done at home.

You need to follow simple rules:

1. 1. Be physically active. You don't have to go to the gym all the time. It is necessary to start the morning with light gymnastics, for which the simplest exercises are suitable. There must be turns and tilts of the torso to the sides, back and forth, you also need to do squats and do the "bike" exercise to restore blood circulation. Walking in the evening should also be mandatory.
2. 2. Adhere to the principles of a healthy diet. To do this, it is not necessary to sit on a strict diet, it is necessary that the energy value of the diet correspond to physical activity. For normal digestion, it is important to include foods that contain a large amount of plant fibers in the diet. These are various vegetables and fruits. Of these, figs, dried apricots, prunes, pears, fresh plums are considered champions - they contain both fiber and sorbitol. Their use will be an effective tool for both the treatment and prevention of constipation. A large amount of fiber is also found in cereals.
3. 3. For normal digestion, you need to limit the use of potatoes, polished white rice, bread, strong coffee, cocoa and tea.
4. 4. To maintain a healthy microflora at night, you need to consume lactic acid products, preferably kefir.
5. 5. Observe the drinking regimen: you need to drink at least 1.5 liters of liquid per day, and preferably clean water, but tea and coffee are not included in this volume, since they only contribute to dehydration of the body.

Folk remedies

If constipation is not associated with any diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, but is a temporary violation, then they can be treated with folk remedies. Well helps a decoction of walnuts. For it, you need to take 100 g of walnut kernels, grind them in a blender or grind in a mortar, pour 1 liter of hot milk, bring to a boil and cook for 5 minutes over low heat. When the broth cools, it is filtered, 1 tbsp is added for taste. l. sugar, no more, and then drink a third of a glass 2-3 times a day. The decoction should be drunk warm. In the morning it is taken on an empty stomach, and in the afternoon and evening - an hour before meals.

Dried peas can also help with constipation, which should be crushed in a mortar to a powdery state. Every day you need to take 1 tsp. of this powder mixed with a little water.

Help to adjust the chair and teas from dried cherries or apples. This is perhaps the most delicious cure for constipation. There are no specific recommendations here. You just need to drink this tea during the day.



There are folk remedies that effectively help with constipation and diarrhea. But they do not so much reduce diarrhea as they help to improve the functioning of the intestines in the recovery period, that is, when the diarrhea is almost over. In such cases, rice and blueberry broth, as well as applesauce, are recommended. These decoctions are well absorbed into the intestines and help replenish fluid loss. Applesauce pectin is equally effective after diarrhea and constipation, as it helps restore normal bowel function and ensures its timely emptying.

There is another folk remedy that will be effective for both constipation and diarrhea. This is oatmeal. It is prepared as follows - grits are poured with cold boiled water in a ratio of 1: 1. Then some yeast is added there and left to ferment for 12 hours. To keep warm, a container of jelly is wrapped in a thick cloth. At the end of the specified time, the liquid is carefully drained, the rest of the mass is brought to a boil, and the therapeutic jelly is ready. It is taken little by little throughout the day to improve digestion.

Do you want to avoid enemas and laxatives, improve intestinal motility, improve complexion, mood and sleep, get rid of painful bloating and bad breath? Change your diet now to include foods that have a laxative effect.

Make sure your summer diet is filled with plant-based foods.(vegetables, fruits, berries), rich in vitamins and minerals, soluble (pectins) and insoluble fiber, which has a laxative effect and stimulates intestinal motility.

Among dietary fibers, insoluble fiber plays a special role in normalizing beneficial intestinal microflora and reducing the activity of putrefactive microflora, cleansing the body of harmful metabolic products. Its coarse indigestible fibers improve digestion, activate fat metabolism, make the intestines work actively, helping it to get rid of waste every day. Insoluble fiber also stabilizes blood sugar levels, thereby prolonging the feeling of satiety and reducing appetite. Fiber contributes to the removal of excess cholesterol from the organ-scavenger, and also makes life easier for the beneficial Escherichia coli. Pectins (berries are especially rich in them), swelling in the intestines, form mucous solutions, which, like a sponge, absorb harmful metabolic products and remove them from the body.

By the way, if you eat about 400-500 g of fresh vegetables and fruits every day, you can almost halve the development of bowel cancer, according to leading European oncologists. To get started, eat one extra fresh vegetable at dinner, have a snack not with a bun, but with an apple or a pear. It would seem a trifle, but your body has already received about 150 g of useful substances that can ward off a fatal threat.

Do not get carried away with food containing animal proteins(meat, oily fish, cottage cheese, eggs), as well as fatty and spicy dishes, smoked meats and pickles. Limit in the diet everything that has a sharp taste: radish, radish, garlic, horseradish, mustard, pepper.

Bet on wholemeal rye bread, excluding bread from flour of the highest grades, as well as pastries from pastry. Every day, put two tablespoons of wheat (rye) bran in the first and second courses, kefir or yogurt - and your intestines will soften their hard temper. Since ancient times in Russia, decoctions and kissels have been prepared from bran, and in America this useful product is added to natural juices and dough for fritters.

Cook Seaweed Snacks More Often- due to the ability to swell and the high content of minerals (especially iodine), it has a laxative effect on this organ.

Drink more (at least two liters a day), especially in hot weather. Be aware that even mild dehydration can cause constipation. Treat the intestines with warm and cool drinks, dishes: cold and hot irritate its mucosa. He will not refuse if in the morning on an empty stomach he is offered a glass of plain water at room temperature or an infusion of prunes prepared the night before. He will also be delighted with the "invigorating morning soul" - a glass of cool mineral water, and in the afternoon - lingonberry and cranberry juice. These drinks perfectly tune the intestines to a “working mood”.

Do not get carried away with tea, cocoa, coffee and alcoholic beverages: they contain tannins and have a diuretic effect, which increases the likelihood of constipation.

Dine no later than 19-20 hours. Let your evening meal consist of easily digestible dishes - cottage cheese casserole, scrambled eggs, vegetable stew, milk porridge. Obeying the daily biorhythms and their own fatigue, the intestine slows down the digestive and cesspool activities in the evening, leaving for a short well-deserved rest.

Do not forget about dairy and sour-milk products. It is good to drink a glass of kefir, natural yogurt, fermented baked milk or yogurt before going to bed: the beneficial lactic acid bacteria in them heal the intestinal microflora, preventing the growth of putrefactive microorganisms that disrupt the activity of this digestive organ.

The correct process of digestion provides the body with the timely supply of all trace elements, vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates and fats. Violation of the gastrointestinal tract requires prompt treatment and elimination of the symptoms that have arisen. An organism that feels threatened signals a problem with pain, cramps, bloating, and other unpleasant sensations.

At the moment, diseases associated with digestion occupy a leading place in the whole society. The most indicative is the "age" of the disease - now they suffer from abdominal pain since school. The whole reason is the state of the modern way of life.

Causes of problems

1. Unbalanced diet. From childhood, we know that we need to eat vegetables and fruits, avoid soda and fast food, but we often do the opposite. So every day, instead of a portion of vitamins, dyes, flavors, preservatives and other substitutes for the natural composition of food enter the body. This disrupts the balance of fats, proteins and carbohydrates, affects the production of enzymes and gastric juice for the proper assimilation of the "wrong" food.
2. The diet, which, according to the cartoon character Donut, must not be violated. In the accelerated rhythm of life, the culture of food begins to disappear, when the process of eating was a ritual of gathering the family at the table. In the modern world, people often simply forget to eat on time, snacking on the go with anything. For a number of families, the concept of a full breakfast is replaced by a morning mug of coffee. This leads to the fact that every year there are more and more people with gastrointestinal problems.
3. Bad ecology. Poor quality of drinking water, harmful additives in the cultivation of vegetables and fruits, chicken legs turned blue from antibiotics - all this disrupts the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.
4. stressful situations. Psychological stress affects the intestines: through the vegetative system, the brain sends a signal about a stressful state, spasms of internal muscles begin, resulting in a deterioration in the absorption of nutrients, impaired motility and secretory function of the gastrointestinal tract.
5. Alcohol and cigarettes. According to statistics, 65 percent of the exacerbation of peptic ulcer is associated with active smoking. Cigarettes cause spasms of the smooth muscles of the intestines, provoking a failure of the motor-motor system of the gastrointestinal tract. Also, due to oxygen starvation, a sufficient amount of useful substances does not enter the digestive tract.
6. Dysbacteriosis after taking a course of antibiotics. The number of intestinal fungi increases in the body, pathogenic microflora multiplies and disrupts digestion.
7. genetic predisposition.
8. Failure to comply with the rules of hygiene when eating when preparing food. Here, the best example would be a sandwich eaten on the street, prepared with a clear disregard for sanitary standards.

Symptoms of improper functioning of the digestive tract

We think about how to improve the work of the gastrointestinal tract, only when we feel obvious damage. The body itself signals this to us. Here is a list of things to watch out for:

1. Abdominal pain. First of all, the doctor asks about this, where and how it hurts. Based on this symptom, you can tentatively assume which disease the specialist diagnoses for you. Turning to him, he will prescribe you a drug to normalize the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract: this medicine should simultaneously eliminate the cause of the disease and relieve spasm and pain.

   Note!

   Pain can be a symptom of stomach ulcers, colic in the liver and intestines, appendicitis, hernia, inflammation of the mucous membrane (gastritis), enteritis, sigmoiditis.

2. Heaviness and bloating. Flatulence can be either a consequence of a heavy dinner (legumes, black bread, cabbage), or a symptom of a serious illness - lack of pancreatic secretion, chronic pancreatitis, enteritis.
3. Nausea. In case of food poisoning or intestinal infection, the body gives vomiting to normalize the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. He strives to get rid of harmful elements on his own. In the worst case, prolonged nausea can be a sign of chronic gastritis, and vomiting blood can be an indication of ulcers or stomach cancer.
4. Diarrhea or constipation indicate problems with intestinal motility, it is either rapid or difficult. Diarrhea is accompanied by almost all intestinal infections.
5. Heartburn. Burning may indicate excessive secretion of the stomach or peptic ulcer.
6. Decreased appetite can accompany almost every gastrointestinal disease.

In order to learn how to restore the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and get rid of the symptoms, you need to see a doctor. Examination and test results will show what is the cause of pain and other discomfort. Gastrointestinal problems are dealt with by therapists and gastroenterologists.

How to improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract

If abdominal discomfort is not the cause of a serious illness, and the symptoms indicate minor gastrointestinal disorders, then there is the possibility of home treatment. To do this, you need to give up cigarettes and frequent alcohol consumption, try to be less nervous and rest more, eat right. To relieve pain in the gastrointestinal tract, antispasmodic tablets, for example, No-Shpa, Duspatalin or Neobutin, will help.

What to do with gastrointestinal problems

Restoring the work of the gastrointestinal tract is a long process of control over your habits and self-discipline. The main thing is to stick to the regime and a certain diet.

Basic nutrition rules:

1. It is necessary to observe the intervals between meals. You need to introduce breakfast, lunch and dinner into your daily routine, fixing them for a specific time. Snacks should be healthy and light. It can be fruit or yogurt, but not chips or a hamburger.
2. The daily diet should include the first course. Hot soups and broths promote good digestion.
3. Be careful when choosing products. They must be fresh and natural.
4. Drink plenty of fluids, favoring clean drinking water.

How to treat gastrointestinal problems

If the spasm and discomfort persist, you should consult a doctor. The patient will undergo a thorough examination. Diagnosis can take a different period of time, depending on the disease, stage of development and other individual characteristics. In addition to the main examination with the help of palpations of the abdominal cavity, the doctor may prescribe a study of the acidity of gastric juice, endoscopy, laparoscopy, MRI, ultrasound, and apply other necessary diagnostic methods.

Depending on the results of the examination, the doctor may prescribe the following types of treatment:

• Diet. It is prescribed for most problems with the gastrointestinal tract. Basically eliminates fatty, salty and heavy foods.
• Etiotropic therapy, that is, a drug effect on the cause of the disease. For example, antibacterial agents in case of an infectious disease.
• Elimination of symptoms. The use of antispasmodics to relax the muscle tissue of the smooth walls of the intestine. In many cases, this is a treatment for intestinal motility disorders.
• Removal of toxins. In some cases, adsorbent substances are prescribed, for example, the well-known activated carbon and a number of other drugs. If the situation is complicated by the difficulty of emptying the intestines, enemas are prescribed, which contribute not only to the acceleration of the motility of the digestive tract, but also to the removal of toxins and toxins.
• Surgical intervention. In some cases, drastic measures are required, and surgery becomes the only way to solve the problem.
• Folk remedies. Infusions of medicinal plants can be used in combination with drug treatment.
• Physical exercise. Some abdominal exercises help improve digestion.

Diet is the key to treating gastrointestinal problems

• The main condition for the transition to especially nutrition is to eat in small portions so as not to overload the stomach. It is better to eat 5-6 times a day, taking breaks while digesting food.
• It is important to drink plenty of water. It is believed that the norm for a person is two liters of fluid per day. Pure non-carbonated water is especially well suited, it contributes to proper digestion, the removal of toxins and toxins, the formation of feces, and a good metabolic process. Compotes, decoctions of medicinal herbs, juices are also suitable. But it is worth giving up strong tea, coffee and carbonated drinks - they negatively affect the digestive tract system. In the morning before breakfast, it will be useful to drink a glass of water, this will “start” digestion, activate all processes.
• Food should not irritate the intestinal mucosa, so lovers of spicy food will have to give up a lot of seasonings, salt and other harsh additives.
• It is forbidden to eat fried, smoked products, pickled vegetables and mushrooms, sweet pastries and any fatty foods. Of the head methods, it is better to choose boiling, steaming or baking in the oven.
• It is preferable to eat food of plant origin: boiled vegetables, cereals on the water (oatmeal is especially useful), fruits that have been heat-treated, for example, baked vegetables.
• From products of animal origin, it is better to use boiled meat and fish of low fat content, chicken broths, boiled eggs or scrambled eggs. From meat it is best to make steamed cutlets.
• Do not eat too hot food, it is better to wait until it is warm.
• It is necessary to exclude foods that are difficult for digestion, causing bloating and gas formation: legumes, cabbage, radishes, corn, alcohol, raw apples and pears, prunes.
• Harmful are all purchased products containing preservatives, dyes and other flavors.

Detoxification

Often after the holidays, the question arises: how to quickly restore the work of the digestive tract. When help is needed for poisoning or overeating, many turn to activated charcoal - this is an adsorbent that helps both remove toxins and toxins and normalize the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. The sorbent binds harmful substances and prevents their absorption into the blood through the intestinal walls, while it does not disturb the intestinal microflora.

It is recommended to do enemas only if necessary, regular procedures can lead to dysbacteriosis, because there is a risk of violation of the intestinal mucosa. Together with pathogenic bacteria, the natural, beneficial microflora can also be destroyed.

How to treat bowel problems with folk remedies

The laxative effect is:

• Freshly squeezed onion juice;
• Crushed aloe leaves infused with honey.

The opposite result is caused by the following settings:

• Broth on a walnut shell;
• Brewed oak bark;
• St. John's wort tincture.

Improving the work of the gastrointestinal tract contribute to:

• Crushed psyllium seeds;
• Wheat bran;
• Compote on plums, apricots and apples.

If the intestinal microflora has been disturbed, they will help:

• A decoction of cranberries and rose hips;
• Tincture on crushed pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds and walnuts;
• A decoction of calamus root and plantain leaves.

Folk remedies can help improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and accompany medication and other types of treatment, but not completely replace.

Medicines to normalize the work of the gastrointestinal tract

There are a lot of varieties of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, in each specific case, separate drugs are needed. Some of them are released exclusively by prescription.

But almost always, the disease accompanies a number of standard symptoms: abdominal pain, heaviness, difficulty in intestinal obstruction or, conversely, diarrhea, in a word, irritable bowel syndrome. To relieve pain and alleviate other symptoms, it is necessary not only to anesthetize the digestive tract, but to get rid of the cause that causes discomfort.

Be attentive to your health and promptly treat emerging problems with the digestive tract.

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It is almost impossible to find such a person who has never turned to medications for help in the fight against difficult bowel movements. Treating constipation and normalizing bowel function is an important step towards a healthy life. But you need to know how you can correct habits and what measures to take so as not to encounter such a problem.

In this article you will learn:

The main treatments for constipation

In order for the digestive tract to function in the correct mode, you need to lead a healthy and active life. There are general provisions, the observance of which is necessary for the proper functioning of the whole organism, including the digestive organs:

• Movement improves the digestive system and the functioning of all organs, which positively affects the overall well-being of a person. You need to do exercises in the morning, walk more in the fresh air, walk, swim, dance, skate or rollerblade.
• You also need to drink the right amount of fluid, because if it is lacking, a diet to improve the functioning of the digestive tract is ineffective. The liquid softens the feces, stimulates the bowels, which helps in the fight against constipation. Therefore, it is necessary to consume 1.5-2 liters of clean water without gas per day.
• Unhealthy food must be excluded from the diet. This includes: semi-finished products, fatty and spicy foods, hard to digest food, canned food, soda, alcohol, packaged juices, fast carbohydrates (chocolate, buns, etc.). It is necessary to add foods rich in fiber and do fasting days. Fractional nutrition in small portions will also have a positive effect on the intestines, because the load on the digestive tract will decrease.

• Hygiene is also important for the prevention of bowel disease. Even if there was no need to leave the house, you should always wash your hands before eating. It is also very important to wash fruits and vegetables, eggs.
• The intake of vitamins and minerals, biological additives to normalize bowel functions will have a good effect on the health of the gastrointestinal tract. Bifidumbacterin can be attributed to such means. It is replaced by drugs with probiotics and prebiotics (Acipol).
• Self-massage of the abdomen. Make circular movements, slightly pressing on the stomach. It should be performed in the morning, on an empty stomach, but after drinking 1-2 glasses of water.
• Also, an exercise with a hoop (hula hoop with massage elements) will have a positive effect on the work of the intestines.
• It is worth abandoning starvation diets.

• Frequent use of laxatives leads the body to addiction. Preparations often include the senna plant, which can cause flaccid bowel syndrome. With it, without pills, the intestines themselves will no longer be able to work normally.

Main causes of constipation

The main factors affecting the act of defecation:

• Wrong nutrition. There are many reasons for constipation, but this is the main one! In the modern world, people pay less and less attention to their diet, it is often poor in plant fibers and fiber. These substances improve intestinal motility, stimulating its work. Due to this, feces are excreted from the body in time. Foods rich in vegetable fiber: rye and bran bread, cereals, vegetables, fruits.

Food cravings can cause constipation

But simple carbohydrates, such as sugar and wheat flour baking and animal fats, make up the majority of the human diet, and this is wrong! In combination with the use of a small amount of liquid, this leads to constipation. It is important to drink 1.5 to 2.5 liters of water per day.

• Medications. Many medications have constipation as a side effect. These include: antibiotics, antiulcer drugs, anti-inflammatory and antifungal drugs and anti-tuberculosis drugs.
• Stress. People are often in a state of depression, mental stress - this also has a tremendous impact on both the body as a whole and the intestines.

Emotional imbalance disrupts the habit of daily bowel movements.

• Suppression of the natural urge to go to the toilet. In the morning, after waking up, the contents of the rectum begin to put pressure on the walls of the intestine, which leads to the urge to go to the toilet. If this reflex inherent in nature is suppressed, then in the future, to call this reflex, more and more filling of the rectum will be required.

With constant stress, the risk of constipation is also high.

Basic nutritional requirements for constipation

You need to follow a diet for constipation in order to normalize bowel function. The following should be excluded:

• dishes made from wheat flour;
• fatty food;
• all spicy and salty foods.

It is forbidden to fry food in a large amount of oil, it is preferable to stew, boil, bake in the oven and steam.

Products to improve bowel function

There are a number of foods that are good for the digestive system. Here is their list:

• Vegetables. It is necessary to eat more cabbage (especially sauerkraut), cucumbers, carrots, tomatoes, garlic and onions.

Prunes have good laxative properties

• Fruit. You should eat melon, avocado, apples, kiwi, raspberries, peaches and apricots, lemons, oranges, tangerines, grapes.
• Dried fruits perfectly help to overcome constipation: prunes together with dried apricots have an excellent cleansing effect.
• Dairy products. It is worth eating more sour cream, cottage cheese, drinking kefir, sugar-free yogurt and bifidus drinks. Thanks to this type of product, beneficial intestinal microflora is restored.
• You also need to eat food rich in vegetable fiber: bran, muesli, cereals (except rice and semolina), rye bread. Such food improves digestion and helps the digestive tract.
• Vegetable oils in moderation are also good for the intestines.
• You also need to eat steam fish, chicken.
• In the morning, you can eat a spoonful of a mixture of flax seeds and sprouted wheat. You need to drink them with a glass of water and after half an hour start eating.

The duration of the diet is no more than 5-6 days, you can repeat it every month to cleanse the intestines. It's easy to follow.

Muesli helps to normalize digestion

Sample menu for 1 day

The following menu can be used as an example:

• Breakfast: oatmeal on the water without additives, but with pieces of berries and nuts. Tea or yogurt without additives.
• Snack: 1-2 fruits or freshly squeezed juice.
• Lunch: low-fat broth or steamed vegetables, steamed fish, fermented baked milk. Fish can be replaced with chicken.
• Snack: curdled milk.
• Dinner: fresh vegetable or fruit salad, steamed fish or meat, herbal tea.

Before going to bed for a couple of hours, you can drink kefir or yogurt with the addition of oat bran.

Drinking regimen during the restoration of bowel functions

The formation of constipation occurs not only from malnutrition, but also from non-compliance with the drinking regimen. When the right amount of water does not enter the body or the body becomes dehydrated (for example, during an illness, at a high body temperature), the feces also become dehydrated, becoming more dense. Often people do not notice that they practically do not use clean water at all!

It is very important to drink enough fluids

Normalization of the stool for constipation includes the use of 100-150 ml of water every hour. Eating fiber without the right amount of water will not give the desired results, because it will not be able to swell and stimulate intestinal motility. You can drink fresh juices, mineral water without gas, herbal tea. But you should avoid sugary sodas, alcohol and store-bought juices from the package.

Movement is life

Physical activity improves the functioning of the intestines and the body as a whole. Constipation exercises should be done daily to see their effectiveness. Perform exercises in the morning, before going to the toilet or 2-3 hours before bedtime. Exercises are selected by a doctor or a specialist specializing in therapeutic exercises. To make a choice, you need to pay attention to the patient's age, height, weight and physical condition of the body.

Any type of physical exercise can help prevent constipation.

Here are some exercises to help improve bowel function:

1. I. p. standing, feet shoulder-width apart, hands on the waist. Lean forward 90 degrees. We repeat 10 times. The lumbar muscles are trained, the function of the colon is activated.
2. I. p. sitting on a chair, sideways to his back, arms crossed behind his head. We lean forward, then return to and. p. and do a tilt back. We repeat 10 times. The muscles of the abdominal wall and back are strengthened, blood circulation in the body improves.

Whatever exercises the patient chooses, the main thing is to move. Even just a walk in the fresh air will give a positive effect.

Folk methods for solving the problem

If the appearance of a problem is not associated with diseases of the digestive tract, but is a temporary difficulty in the body, then folk recipes will help. Herbs for constipation work well if the medicine is prepared correctly.

You can make a remedy from walnut kernels

Decoction of walnuts. Grinding 100 g of walnut kernels in a blender, you need to pour them with 1 liter of hot milk. Putting on a slow fire, you need to bring to a boil and boil for another 4-6 minutes. Strain the cooled broth, add 1-2 tsp. honey for taste. You need to drink 1 tbsp. per day, dividing the doses into 3 times. It is necessary to consume in a warm state, in the morning on an empty stomach, and the rest of the receptions an hour before meals.

It helps to get rid of the problem and dried peas crushed to a state of powder. You need to consume 1 tsp. powder mixed with water.

You can also use enemas for constipation. At home, you can make oil. Apply olive oil, mix 2 tbsp. l. with 100 ml of water. With the help of a pear, it is inserted into the anus. The solution must be warm for the best effect. The solution envelops the feces and helps to release them. An enema is given at night.

Tea made from dried cherries and apples also helps to achieve the desired effect. The drink should be drunk throughout the day.

If you want to know how to get rid of constipation quickly and easily, then watch this video:

Medical preparations

Medicines for getting rid of the problem are divided into groups according to their action. All of them are presented in the table.

Drug type	Name	Action
Laxatives	Regulac, Senade, Gerbion (contains senna extract; Dulcolax, Bisadil, Pirilax (based on bisacodyl); Duphalac, Goodluck, Poslabin (based on lactulose).	Laxatives for constipation are used to irritate the intestinal walls and stimulate its peristalsis. Preparations made on the basis of lactulose have a milder and safer effect on the intestines. Such medicines are allowed for pregnant women and young children.
Preparations that normalize the flora	Probiotics (Linex, Bifidumbacterin, Acipol); Prebiotics (Normaze).	Colonization of the intestines with beneficial microflora, growth and reproduction of beneficial bacteria.
Antispasmodics	No-shpa, Papaverine	They will help with spastic constipation, when you need to relieve spasm.

Only your doctor can select the necessary drugs. Laxatives help to instantly solve the problem of bowel cleansing. The course of treatment is not more than 10 days, otherwise the effect of addiction may occur.