Symptoms
The most common symptoms of constipation are infrequency, irregularity or difficulty of elimination due to hard faecal matter. Among the other symptoms are coated tongue, foul breath, loss of appetite, headache, dizziness, dark circles under the eyes, depression, nausea, pimples on the face, ulcer in the mouth, constant fullness in the abdomen, diarrhoea alternating with constipation, varicose veins, pain in the lumbar region, acidity, heart burn and insomnia.

Causes
The most important causes for chronic constipation are an unsuitable diet and a faulty style of living. All foods in their natural state contain a good percentage of ‘roughage’ which is most essential in preserving natural balance of foods and also in helping peristalsis - the natural rhythmic action by means of which the food is passed down the alimentary canal. Much of the food we eat today is deficient in natural bulk or roughage and this results in chronic constipation.
Intake of refined and rich food lacking in vitamins and minerals, insufficient intake of water, consumption of meat in large quantities, excessive use of strong tea and coffee, insufficient chewing, overeating and a wrong combination of food, irregular habits of eating and drinking may all contribute to poor bowel function. Other causes include faulty and irregular habit of defecation, frequent use of purgatives, weakness of abdominal muscles due to sedentary habits, lack of physical activity and emotional stress and strain.
Diseases such as tumours or growths, sluggish liver, colitis, spastic condition of the intestines, hyperactivity, diseaes of the rectum and colon, bad teeth, uterine disease, diabetes, use of certain drugs for treating other ailments, abnormal condition of the lower spine and enlargement of the prostate gland can also cause chronic constipation. Elderly patients may suffer from constipation due to relaxed muscle tone, inadequate dietary intake for nutritional needs and diminished activity.

Dietary Treatment
The purgatives and laxatives give only temporary relief. They unnecessarily irritate the stomach and intestines, weakening the colon. Laxative abuse may also lead to low blood potassium and long term chronic ill-health. The natural way to treat constipation is to reeducate the bowels and give up all artificial aids. The observance of regular hours for meals, elimination and sleep, a balanced diet, sufficient exercise, and a high standard of general health with good muscular tone are essential in the treatment of constipation.
The most important factor in curing constipation is a natural and simple diet. This should consist of unrefined foods such as whole grain cereals, bran, honey, molasses and lentils ; green and leafy vegetables, especially spinach, french beans, tomatoes, lettuce, onions, cabbage, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, celery, turnip, pumpkin, peas, beets, asparagus and carrots ; fresh fruits, especially pears, grapes, figs, papayas, mangoes, grape-fruits, gooseberries, guavas and oranges ; dry fruits such as figs, raisins, apricots and dates ; milk products in the form of butter, ghee and cream.

The diet alone is not enough. Food should be properly

chewed - each morsel for at least 15 times. Hurried

meals and meals at odd times should be avoided. Sugar

and sugary foods should be strictly avoided because

sugar steals B vitamins from the body, without which the

intestines cannot function normally. Foods which constipate

are all products made of white flour, rice, bread,

pulses, cakes, pastries, biscuits, cheese, flesh foods,

preserves, white sugar and hard boiled eggs.

Drinking lots of water is beneficial not only for

constipation but also for cleaning the system, diluting the

blood, and washing out poisons. Normally, six to eight

glasses of water should be taken daily as it is essential for

digesting and dissolving food nutrients so that they can

be absorbed and utilised by the body. Water should, not

however, be taken with meals as it dilutes the gastric

juices essential for proper digestion. Water should be

taken either half an hour before or an hour after meals.

Grapes have proved highly beneficial in overcoming

constipation. The combination of the properties of the

cellulose, sugar and organic acid in grapes make them a

laxative food. Their field of action is not limited to clearing

the bowels only. They also tone up the stomach and

intestines and relieve the most chronic constipation. One

should take at least 350 grams of grapes daily to achieve

the desired results. When fresh grapes are not available,

raisins soaked in water can be used. Raisins should be

soaked in a tumberful of drinking water for 24 to 48

hours. This would swell them to the original size of the

grapes. The raisins should be eaten early in the morning.

The water in which raisins are soaked should also be

drunk.

Drinking hot water with sour lime juice and half a tea-

spoon of salt is also an effective remedy for constipation.

Drinking water which has been kept overnight in a copper

vessel, first thing in the morning, will bring good results.

Linseed is extremely useful in difficult cases of constipation.

A tea-spoon of linseed swallowed with water before

each meal provides both bulk and lubrication.

In all ordinary cases of constipation, an exclusive fruit

diet for about seven days would be the best way to begin

the treatment. For long-standing and stubborn cases, it

would be advisable to have a short fast for four or five

days. This will drive out the packed contents of the

bowels, eliminate toxins and purify the blood stream. The

weak patients may take orange juice during the period of

fasting. After the all-fruit diet or the short fast, as the

case may be, the patient should gradually embark upon a

balanced diet comprising adequate raw foods, ripe fruits

and whole grain cereals. IN some cases, further short

periods on fruits or short fasts may be necessary at

intervals of two months or so, depending on the progress

being made. The bowels should be cleansed daily through

warm water enema for few days at the commencement

of the treatment.

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