Constipation

Complete Guide to Treating Constipation with Yoga

Are you having fewer than three bowel movements in a week? If the answer to that question is a YES then you are suffering from constipation. Regardless of the bowel movement, the longer you take to pass the stool, the harder it becomes to pass it out of the body.

Every individual regardless of their age or gender suffers from constipation at one point of time. The problem of constipation occurs when your colon absorbs too much of water from waste. It causes the stool to dry out which makes it hard and difficult for your body to pass it out. Fortunately, there are yoga poses for constipation to help you get rid of the problem.

First, let us understand how constipation leads to internal damage and a host of other health problems.

Health Problems Caused by Constipation

Given below are a few health complications that arise due to irregular bowel movement.

  • Swollen and inflamed veins in your rectum, also known as Hemorrhoids.

  • Tears in the lining of your anus due to hard stool trying to pass out, known as Anal Fissures.

  • Pile-up of too much stool in the rectum and anus, the condition is known as Fecal Impaction.

  • Damage to pelvic floor muscles from straining to move the bowels. Too much strain on these muscles causes urine to leak from the bladder, the condition is known as Stress Urinary Incontinence.

You might wonder –

What Leads to Constipation?

There are many factors that contribute to the onset of constipation.

Lifestyle Factors

  • Consuming low fiber food

  • Dehydration

  • Not getting enough exercise

  • Stress

  • Resisiting the urge to have bowel movement

  • Consuming large amounts of milk or cheese

  • Changes in daily routine like traveling, eating, and sleeping

But, that is not all. There are some other factors too.

Read More – Complete Guide To Sun Salutation For Beginners

Medications

  • Painkiller medicines containing codeine, oxycodone, and hydromorphone

  • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

  • Iron pills

  • Psychiatric medications like clozapine and olanzapine

  • Anti-nausea medications like Ondansetron

Lastly, there are a few medical conditions which can lead to the problem of constipation.

Medical Conditions

  • Colorectal cancer

  • Diverticular disease

  • Lazy bowel syndrome

  • Intestinal contraction

  • Endocrine problems like an underactive thyroid gland

Let us now look at the symptoms of this debilitating medical condition.

Symptoms of Constipation

Given below are the major symptoms of constipation;

  • Fewer than three bowel movements a week

  • Stools are dry, hard, or lumpy

  • Stomach ache or cramps

  • Feeling bloated and nauseous

  • Stools are difficult or painful to pass

  • The feeling of not having completely emptied the bowels

There are some effective yoga poses for constipation that can help you get rid of this problem.

Yoga Poses to Treat Constipation

Yoga has a rich history that goes back 5000 years. This ancient art has numerous techniques and methods to help you get rid of a number of health issues including constipation.

Let us now check out the best yoga asanas that can rid you of irregular bowel movements.

1. Pranayama

A powerful yogic breathing technique that exercises your abdominal muscles and belly movement. In the long run, this improves the functioning of your digestive system which keeps you away from health problems like acidity, insomnia, and constipation.

2. Bhujangasana

Known as Cobra Pose, Bhujangasana improves the functioning of your digestive system. It strengthens the abdominal muscles and cleanses the entire digestive tract. You should also follow a Sattvic Diet Plan along with yoga to keep constipation at bay.

3. Pavanmuktasana

Pavanmuktasana, also known as the Wind-Relieving pose removes all gases from your digestive system. It is the ideal yoga pose to get rid of constipation and indigestion.

The Wind-Relieving pose gives you relief from flatulence by fastening the movement and expulsion of intestinal flatus.

4. Dhanurasana

One of the best yoga poses for constipation is Dhanurasana. This yoga pose strengthens all the abdominal organs and rids you of gas and digestion problems.

5. Vajrasana

If you want to improve blood flow to the abdominal region, Vajrasana is the yoga pose for that. This is a powerful yoga asana to get rid of problems like chronic constipation, stomach disorder, and digestive problems. Vajrasana improves the flexibility of your lower limbs and strengthens the digestive tract and its organs.

This is the complete guide to help you get rid of the problem of constipation with yoga.

Conclusion

Do you find it hard to pass stool three days a week? There is a high chance you suffer from constipation. However, there are some yoga poses for constipation to help you get rid of that problem and bring back your body’s digestive system on track.