What Is 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

Belly bloating

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)

What Should I Do If I Am Constipated?

Take these steps:

Drink two to four extra glasses of water a day, unless your doctor told you to limit fluids for another reason.

Try warm liquids, especially in the morning.

Add fruits and vegetables to your diet.

Eat prunes and bran cereal.

Exercise most days of the week. When you move your body, the muscles in your intestines are more active, too.

Don’t ignore the urge to poop.

You can try taking a laxative, too. There are several types of laxatives, and you can buy many of them over the counter. Each of them works in a different way to ease constipation. Ask your doctor or pharmacist which kind might work for you and how long you should take it.

When Should I Call My Doctor?

Call your doctor right away if you have sudden constipation with belly pain or cramping and you aren’t able to poop or pass gas at all.

Also, make the call if:

Constipation is a new problem for you, and lifestyle changes haven’t helped.

You have blood in your stool.

You’re losing weight even though you’re not trying to.

You have severe pain with bowel movements.

Your constipation has lasted more than 2 weeks.

The size, shape, and consistency of your stool has changed dramatically.

Your doctor may recommend some tests to find the cause of your constipation:

Blood tests to check on hormone levels

Tests that check the muscles in your anus

Tests that show how waste moves through and out of your colon

Colonoscopy to look for blockages in your colon

Can I Prevent Constipation?

In many cases, you can. These things can help:

Eat a well-balanced diet with plenty of fiber. Good sources are fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole-grain bread and cereal (especially bran).

Drink 1 1/2 to 2 quarts of water and other fluids a day (unless your doctor has you on a fluid-restricted diet). Fiber and water work together to keep you regular.

Avoid caffeine. It can be dehydrating.

Cut back on milk. Dairy products can constipate some people.

Exercise regularly. Do something active for at least 30 minutes a day, most days of the week.

Go to the bathroom when you feel the urge.

Garden egg: The health benefits

 

Unknown to most people, garden egg is one of the greatest food, in terms of health benefits, for pregnant women.

 

Promotes weight loss

Eating of eggplant especially the greenish type is beneficial in weight reduction because they contain low carbohydrates and calories essential for weight management.

Overweight individuals who want to lose weight or those who wish to retain their normal body weight can add eggplant to their diet as well.

 

 Rich in antioxidants

Anthocyanins, nasunin and flavonoids are important and powerful phytonutrients and antioxidants in eggplants that help to protect the body system and add many health-promoting benefits to the human body.

Anthocyanins are responsible for the deep purple color of eggplants and also helps in preventing the development of cancer as well as other diseases that result in bacteria.

Anthocyanins found in eggplants possess antioxidant properties that are responsible for protecting the whole body system.

 

Rich in Vitamin B

Garden egg is a natural source of vitamin B’s such as thiamin, niacin, B6 and pantothenic acid that helps the body in the proper use of fat and protein; and also contributes to the nervous system positively. It helps in brain development and also helps in making sure that the immune and nervous system works properly.

 

Promotes healthy bone

They contain a good amount of potent minerals such as folate, manganese, vitamin K, magnesium, vitamin C and copper that help in bone strengthening and general bone health.

Consuming eggplant regularly is highly beneficial in preventing the risk of bone degradation and osteoporosis.  Garden egg also contains some amount of iron and calcium aids in reducing the chance of osteoporosis, thereby keeping your bones strong and healthy.

Helps in digestion

Garden eggs are fibrous fruits that help in proper food digestion and control of bowel movement. Due to this fiber content in the fruit, they reduce constipation and improve digestion.

Garden eggs are believed to be one of the greatest sources of dietary fiber which is an essential element in any balanced diet.

 

Good for pregnant women

These fruits are packed with minerals, vitamins and other nutritional properties that play a key role during pregnancy.

The properties in garden egg help both pregnant women and unborn children for healthy situational conditions.

Garden eggs are also rich in folic acid which is beneficial to pregnant women. Folic acid protects infants 

 

Prevents anemia

Garden egg has been found to serve as a natural medicine for treating several health conditions such as bronchitis, colic (pain in the abdomen caused by obstruction of the intestine); stress relief, headache, and others, if consumed daily.

Garden egg is a rich source of iron, which helps in increase in the red blood cell in the body, thereby aids in fighting against anemia or deficiency in iron.

 

Prevents diabetes

Garden eggs which are a source of soluble fiber and carbohydrates can help in the control and prevention of diabetes.

Foods are rich in fiber and carbohydrates help in the regulation of blood sugar levels and glucose absorption.

 

Maintains blood pressure levels

Garden eggs contain a high amount of calcium, magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus. These minerals contained in it helps in maintaining electrolyte balance in our body.

It aids in neutralizing sodium effects in the body, thereby controlling blood pressure levels.

An antioxidant in garden eggs known as chlorogenic acid also helps in reducing cholesterol levels in the body.

 

Prevents heart diseases

Garden eggs are rich in vitamin B1 and B6 (thiamin and niacin). These vitamins are essential in the body for the proper functioning of the heart and cellular respiration. It’s rich in potassium also helps in blood pressure regulation.

Vitamin B1 deficiency leads to cardiovascular problems. Therefore foods rich in vitamin B1 play a vital role in ensuring a healthy nervous system and improve the proper functioning of the cardiovascular.

Vitamin B6 helps in maintaining a healthy  nervous  system. Consuming  garden  eggs can help in preventing  heart disorder.