Home Remedies for Constipation

Being constipated means your bowel movements are tough or happen less often than normal. Almost everyone goes through it at some point.

Although it’s not usually serious, you'll feel much better when your body is back on track.

The normal length of time between bowel movements varies widely from person to person. Some people have them three times a day. Others have them just a few times a week.

Going longer than 3 or more days without one, though, is usually too long. After 3 days, your poop gets harder and more difficult to pass.
What Are the Symptoms?

You may have:

Few bowel movements
Trouble having a bowel movement (straining to go)
Hard or small stools
A sense that everything didn’t come out
Swollen belly or belly pain
You also may feel like you need help to empty your bowels, such as pressing on your belly or using a finger to remove stool from your bottom.
Why Does It Happen?

Some causes of constipation include:

Changes to what you eat or your activities
Not enough water or fiber in your diet
Eating a lot of dairy products
Not being active
Resisting the urge to poop
Stress
Overuse of laxatives
Some medications (especially strong pain drugs such as narcotics, antidepressants, and iron pills)
Antacid medicines that have calcium or aluminum
Eating disorders
Irritable bowel syndrome
Pregnancy
Problems with the nerves and muscles in your digestive system
Colon cancer
Neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease or multiple sclerosis
Underactive thyroid (called hypothyroidism)