Elderly Problems: Healthy Foods to Relieve Constipation
By Boomeryearbook.com
While constipation has troubled all of us at some point or another, to the aging baby boomers generation, it might seem like a chronic problem. Though there are variable causes, most commonly it is due to poor life style choices such as unhealthy eating habits, inadequate exercise, not getting enough fiber and not drinking enough water.
There are a number of natural remedies that the baby boomers generation should consider, the key ones being:
Exercise
Constipation is caused mostly by lack of physical activity, one of the elderly problems that the baby boomers generation has to face as we age. Any type of regular exercise, especially walking, is a great natural remedy for constipation. Exercise keeps the heart in shape which has the additional benefit of stimulating the bowels as movement encourages the passage of food through the intestine.
Eating right
An all natural food diet is a recommended life style choice for the aging baby boomers generation. It’s a matter of digestibility. If your intake consists of natural food products then your body will know how to digest it. Processed food and refined sugars and chemicals are hard for your body to digest, and can cause constipation. Many processed food ingredients just gets stored as waste and weakens the overall system. We boomers should know this by now but it bears repeating. Stick to the natural and stay away from processed.
Water
The all rounder for over all good health; Water is also one of the best cures for constipation. 8 glasses a day is highly recommended.
Fiber
One of the most effective remedies that the aging baby boomers generation can adopt is to increase fiber intake. Fruits and vegetables are high in fiber and having them as juices is especially effective because they become easily absorbable. Some of the best fiber providers, and also great natural remedies for constipation are:
• prunes
• dried beans
• raisins
• popcorn
• figs
• pears
• oatmeal
• nuts
Herbal remedies
The best cures for constipation are listed above, however if additional help is needed, there are herbal remedies that have laxative properties and are much better than the harsh laxatives that are found in stores. Amongst these are aloe juice, senna, cascara sagrada, medicinal rhubarb, root of dandelion and plaintain seeds. As with everything, overuse can be harmful so be cautious and follow proper directions.
Try to de- stress
It has been shown that relieving tension is a remedy for constipation. Relaxation loosens the bowels so do whatever helps calm you down; books, music, or yoga.
Medication
Because of the elderly problems they face most of the aging baby boomers generation is on some sort of medication. Many medications can aggravate and even cause constipation. Antacids for example, contain calcium or aluminum which can cause constipation. Antihistamines and medication for Parkinson’s can also be a cause for constipation amongst elderly patients. Diuretics are widely known to cause constipation as are the following:
• calcium supplements,
• narcotics,
• phenothazines,
• tricyclic antidepressant medications
• sedatives
We at Boomer Yearbook are aware that constipation can be a chronic problem amongst our aging retirement baby boomers generation. These natural remedies should go a long ways towards eliminating (no pun intended) this elderly problem.
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