A lot of people depend on laxatives and reach for one at the first sign of constipation. However, using laxatives is not necessarily your best treatment option. It is important to first know the cause of constipation to determine if you really need one. Ask yourself if you are "regular." According to most doctors, being regular means that you move bowels at least three times in a week. But if you have fewer than these, or if you have dry, hard stools that are difficult to move, you're definitely constipated.

A diet that is inadequate in bulk is one common cause of constipation. For example, your regular diet may include foods that are easily digested and absorbed, such as eggs, milk, meat, and refined cereals. These foods leave very little residue. On the other hand, if you regularly eat fruits and green vegetables, an ample remnant of cellulose remains undigested and unabsorbed. This bulk of residue helps make you regular in your bowel movement.

Another common cause of constipation is habitual disregard to answer the call of nature. Once the bulk of feces come in contact with the rectum's mucous membrane, a message is transmitted over the nerves to the brain indicating the need to discharge. When a person habitually neglects to give due attention to such messages, he/she is likely to suffer from obstinate constipation.

Apart from the inability to void, the other symptoms of constipation include a feeling of dullness and moderate headache. Many people believe that poisons that are formed in their intestines and sucked up into their blood are the culprits. But this belief isn't accurate; poisons aren't the cause of these symptoms. They are rather caused by mucous membranes that are subjected to irritation and by impulses from the neurons in the intestinal tract.

Laxatives may offer relief for a limited time. Long-term use of any laxative, however, can present a number of health problems. For one, laxatives can cause a perilous derangement of body fluids and minerals (electrolytes) that help sustain body chemistry. For another, they can cause irregularities in the heartbeat and weakness of the muscles. In worse cases, chronic use of laxatives can impair your colon. Even more troubling is the possibility of rebound constipation the moment you discontinue the use of laxatives.

With all the downsides that are associated with the long-term use of laxatives, isn't it a great relief to know that there are actually natural remedies that can help you eliminate your constipation safely and quickly?

Do you have stomach pains, hard and bleeding stools, difficulty moving bowels, or even hemorrhoids? Discover how you can safely eliminate constipation with natural remedies, step by step, in seven days or less. Visit 77 Remedies for Constipation at Round the Clock Health Guide.

Jim Lorenz writes informative articles on various subjects including Relieving Constipation: Discover How to Be Regular with the Best Remedies. You are allowed to publish this article in its entirety provided that author's name, bio and website links must remain intact and included with every reproduction.