Natural stool softener

Natural Stool Softener

Everyone experienced a hard stool sometimes. This unpleasant condition might be caused by some medical issues, such as diabetes, scleroderma, thyroid problems or colon cancer. Some medication can also cause constipation, as the side effect of their use. Food affects the stool, too. Eating too much meat and meat products could lead to hard stools. In some cases, constipation is the result of the stressful situations or lack of regular physical activity.

Whatever causes the constipation, one thing remains the same – there is not enough water in the colon to soften the stool. Remedies used to treat the condition always try to increase the water in the colon available to form the feces, so it could be easily removed from the body. Stool softeners are the substances which contain the water inside the colon.

To prevent constipation, try to avoid or at least limit the intake of the food that might cause hard stools. These foods are: milk and dairy products, ice cream and cooked carrots. If you already suffer from constipation, use some of the natural products to resolve the problem. In some cases, when nothing seems to be helpful, consult your doctor, in order to find a suitable medical solution.

Natural Stool Softeners

Dietary fibers are polysaccharides, hemicelluloses, lignins, gums, and pectins. They pass through the intestines without digestion and absorb plenty of water, making the stool much softer. Fruits, vegetables and cereals are rich in these fibers, especially: plums, prunes, apricots, peaches, beans, spinach and cabbage. Try to take some of these fiber rich foods twice a day, when having constipation.Water is necessary to have a soft stool. Make sure you drink plenty of water every day. The recommended daily dose is about 8 to 10 glasses daily. Exercise every day, at least for 20 minutes. Sometimes even the mild physical activity like walking may help to resolve the hard stool.Mineral oil is known to lubricate the stool and helps it run more easily through the colon. Take a teaspoon of mineral oil at bedtime, and it should work after 8 hours, just when you wake up. Mineral oil is recommended to be used only in short term problems with the stool, for it may cause vitamins deficiency. Aloe vera is the natural juice, which contain substances proven to be helpful to stimulate the bowels. Take a ¼ of a cup of aloe vera juice, every 10 hours.Docusate sodium (also dioctyl sodium succinate) inhibits the extraction of water from the colon and lead to formation of the softer stool. It should also be used only short term, because it could affect the levels of potassium and magnesium in the body.