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Constipation is a common complaint. While medications and over-the-counter treatments can help, some people may be interested in alternative therapies, such as yoga.
Though yoga may not be the first thing that comes to mind when it comes to constipation, there is some evidence that suggests yoga can help alleviate it.
For example, a 2015 study of people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) determined that yoga could be a cost effective alternative therapy for the predominant symptoms of the condition, which are constipation and diarrhea. The researchers added that yoga might also help address other symptoms that IBS may bring, such as anxiety and fatigue.
Some yoga postures can manipulate a person’s digestive tract and may help relieve constipation by encouraging the digestive tract to pass stool or gas.
Keep reading for more information on yoga poses that may help alleviate constipation. Some of these poses are more challenging than others. Be cautious when attempting these postures, and do not push yourself too hard. Some people may prefer to speak to a yoga instructor before attempting the more advanced postures.
Share on PinterestPeople can try this posture while sitting on a yoga mat or other soft surface.
To perform the twist:
Share on PinterestThe supine twist also may help a person alleviate constipation.
To perform this twist:
The Crescent Lunge Twist is a standing pose that requires a person to be in a lunge position. This pose also involves twisting the torso, which may help promote a bowel movement.
To perform this twist:
The Cobra Pose does not require any twisting, but it could help alleviate other symptoms, such as gas.
To perform Cobra Pose:
This pose is an inversion pose. This means that part of the person’s body will be upside down.
To do this pose:
The Wind-Relieving Pose is an easy pose for beginners that can help alleviate gas associated with constipation.
To perform this pose:
This pose strengthens all the abdominal muscles. According to the Yoga Institute, this pose is good for those experiencing gas and digestive problems as it puts pressure on the abdomen. This is one of the more advanced poses, so exercise caution when attempting it, and do not push your body too hard.
To do the Bow Pose:
The Adamant Pose is also called the “thunderbolt” or “firmness” pose.
To perform this pose:
Many people will experience constipation from time to time. In many cases, a person can find relief from their symptoms with dietary changes and OTC treatments.
However, a person should see their doctor if they experience:
Constipation may be a sign that a person needs to eat more fiber and exercise regularly. It could also be a symptom of underlying conditions, such as IBS.
If in doubt, a person should visit a doctor for a diagnosis.
Yoga may help a person find some relief from constipation. Different poses can encourage the digestive tract to pass stool or gas.
Take care when attempting some of the more advanced yoga postures.
If yoga or dietary and lifestyle changes do not help, or if a person notices blood in their stool, they should see a doctor.
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Recently, using activated charcoal to detoxify the body has become a trend. People may consume activated charcoal after overindulging with food or alcohol in an effort to remove toxins from the body.
However, activated charcoal is only effective against certain toxins in certain circumstances.
In this article, we describe how activated charcoal works and its uses. We also provide information about the risks, including possible adverse effects, of an activated charcoal detox.
Share on PinterestDoctors sometimes use activated charcoal if people have ingested certain poisons. The charcoal binds to the poison in the upper digestive tract, preventing the gut from absorbing it.
Charcoal comes from burning carbon-rich material, such as wood, to produce a fine, black substance.
Manufacturers then treat the charcoal to make it more porous. Increasing its surface area in this way allows more substances to bind to it. This treatment is what makes the charcoal “activated.”
The next stage of manufacturing involves making the powder into a beverage.
Activated charcoal can only bind to certain substances. For this reason, it can only help prevent the effects of specific poisons.
Other uses for activated charcoal include:
Some over-the-counter activated charcoal products claim to support general detoxification of the body. However, no scientific evidence currently supports these claims.
The different uses of activated charcoal are outlined below, along with information about their effectiveness.
Activated charcoal can prevent the body from absorbing toxic substances that bind to this type of charcoal.
If a person ingests one of these specific toxins, they must receive activated charcoal treatment within 1 hour for it to work. After this time, the substance will have left the stomach, and the treatment will be ineffective.
However, some substances move through the digestive tract more slowly than others, and a doctor may decide to administer activated charcoal beyond the typical 1-hour window. In this case, the person will receive a single dose.
The right amount of activated charcoal depends on the amount of poison that the person has swallowed. The initial dose of charcoal may be 40 times the amount of the poison ingested.
Another strategy involves administering a dose of 1 gram of activated charcoal per kilogram of bodyweight. The doctor may choose this option if they are unsure how much poison the person has ingested.
In some cases, the doctor may prescribe multiple doses of activated charcoal. This can help treat life threatening poisonings that result from ingesting:
Certain substances do not bind to activated charcoal. As a result, charcoal will not help combat the toxic effects of these substances, which include:
Also, activated charcoal cannot eliminate the following substances:
Heavy metals, such as lead, nickel, and chromium, can be harmful to humans, even in very small amounts.
A 2014 study tested whether activated carbon could remove heavy metals from drinking water.
The researchers found that activated carbon removed, for example, 90% of nickel from drinking water. However, it was less effective than a combined water treatment of activated carbon and silica.
Certain products give off vapors that are damaging to health. Examples include:
In workplaces that use or produce these products, employees have a risk of inhaling these toxic vapors.
Workplaces often require at risk staff to wear respirators containing activated charcoal cartridges. The cartridges filter out the airborne toxins so that the person does not inhale them.
When a person has chronic kidney disease, their kidneys are less able to remove excess phosphorus from their blood. This can result in various complications, particularly cardiovascular disease.
In 2019, researchers investigated whether oral activated charcoal could remove phosphorus from the blood of people with kidney disease.
One group of participants with this disease received activated charcoal, while two similar groups received other phosphorus-binding substances.
The researchers found that the participants who had taken activated charcoal showed significantly delayed increases in phosphorus levels, which could improve health in people with kidney disease.
Many people do not enjoy the taste or texture of activated charcoal drinks. Some even vomit after swallowing this substance.
Experts report that some people aspirate their vomit after drinking activated charcoal. Aspiration, in this case, involves inhaling vomit into the lungs. This can lead to an infection called aspiration pneumonia.
Also, large or repeated doses of activated charcoal can cause a blockage in a person’s digestive tract.
Because of these dangers, doctors will only give people activated charcoal if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Experts do not recommend activated charcoal detoxes for general use. Unless the levels of toxins are high, the body is typically able to detoxify itself.
Activated charcoal is only effective against certain toxins in certain circumstances.
Doctors use it to remove specific poisons from the body shortly after ingestion. Also, the treatment is only effective while the toxins remain in the upper digestive tract.
In addition, activated charcoal can remove some toxins from the air and water, and doctors have used it to filter excess phosphorus from the blood of people with chronic kidney disease.
Activated charcoal can cause adverse effects, especially in large or repeated doses. A doctor will only administer it if the potential benefits outweigh the risks.
Constipation is an uncomfortable but common symptom. People who have constipation may experience additional symptoms, such as abdominal pain or nausea. Nausea is the queasiness and uncomfortable feeling in the stomach that makes a person feel as if they are going to vomit.
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), define constipation as painful, infrequent bowel movements that consist of hard, dry stools. The NIDDK estimate that constipation affects 16% of adults in the United States and 33% of adults over 60 years of age.
Keep reading to learn more about the links between constipation and nausea that some people also experience.
Share on PinterestDietary and lifestyle changes, as well as a lack of physical exercise, can cause constipation in some people. However, chronic or recurring constipation may indicate a more serious underlying medical condition, such as an intestinal obstruction or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Typically, conditions that cause constipation may also lead to nausea and other digestive symptoms.
Some possible causes of nausea due to constipation include:
An intestinal obstruction occurs when a blockage forms in the intestines, preventing the passage of digested food and waste materials.
An intestinal obstruction can be due to partially passed stools, inflammation, or a buildup of scar tissue after surgery. Sometimes, the intestines can get twisted around themselves, resulting in a condition doctors call volvulus.
Intestinal obstructions prevent the normal passage of stools, which can lead to constipation. People who have an intestinal obstruction may experience a wide range of symptoms, depending on the location and severity of the blockage.
An obstruction in the small intestine, near the stomach, can cause nausea and vomiting. If left untreated, an intestinal obstruction can cause serious complications, including:
IBD refers to a group of medical conditions that cause inflammation in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Common types of IBD include ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.
Inflammation that relates to IBD can cause numerous uncomfortable digestive symptoms, such as:
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic condition that affects the large intestines, causing symptoms, such as:
The effects of these IBS symptoms may lead to nausea.
The exact cause of IBS remains unknown. However, researchers have identified several potential underlying factors, such as:
Learn more about 10 signs of IBS here.
Certain over-the-counter and prescription medications can cause digestive problems, including constipation and nausea. People who develop constipation after starting a new medication should speak with their doctor.
Lubiprostone is a medication for treating constipation that relates to IBS. Nausea is one of the chief side effects, according to one 2014 article.
Laxatives can stimulate bowel movements and relieve constipation. However, these treatments can also have side effects, such as:
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) list nausea as one of the main side effects of lactulose, a common laxative made from synthetic sugar.
People can develop constipation for numerous reasons, such as dietary changes, lack of exercise, and, in some cases, as a symptom of an underlying medical condition.
People with constipation may experience additional symptoms, including:
Treatments for constipation-associated nausea vary, depending on the underlying cause.
Doctors often prescribe medication to treat symptoms of IBS and IBD.
Dietary and lifestyle changes can help relieve occasional constipation and even reduce IBS and IBD flare-ups.
In the beginning, people may want to avoid foods and beverages that may upset the digestive system. These can include:
Keeping a food diary can help people identify which foods trigger constipation or nausea. Identifying potential food intolerances can help someone avoid them in the future.
Learn more about the types of food a person should avoid if they have an IBS.
Eating more fiber and staying hydrated can help relieve constipation. Fiber adds bulk to stool, and water keeps them soft, which makes stool easier to pass.
Getting enough physical activity also helps promote regular bowel movements. However, hitting the gym may be the last thing on someone’s mind when they feel nauseous or constipated. If this is the case, they may want to try going for a gentle walk after a meal.
Read about some home remedies that may alleviate constipation here.
If a person’s symptoms do not improve after implementing some of these lifestyle and dietary changes, they may want to consider seeing a doctor or other healthcare professional.
People should seek immediate medical attention if they experience constipation or nausea in addition to any of the following symptoms:
People who experience multiple episodes of vomiting or diarrhea that last longer than 3 days may have severe food poisoning and should seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Nausea and constipation can occur at the same time. Numerous possible factors, including lifestyle and dietary changes to underlying GI conditions, may result in uncomfortable digestive symptoms.
People who experience recurring bouts of nausea and constipation may want to start a food journal to identify potential food intolerances.
Speaking with a doctor can help uncover the underlying cause of digestive problems. Doctors can also recommend safe and effective treatments that they base on people’s medical history and current symptoms.
Swimmer’s itch is an itchy rash caused by certain parasites that normally live on waterfowl and freshwater snails. To reduce your risk of swimmer’s itch, avoid swimming in shallow areas of freshwater lakes or in areas where swimmer’s itch is a known problem. Although uncomfortable, swimmer’s itch typically clears up on its own within a few days.
Nov. 21, 2019 See more In-depth
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Many prescription and some over-the-counter medications can cause hair loss as a side effect.
Hair loss as a result of medications is often temporary, meaning normal hair growth will resume when people stop taking the drug. In rare cases, however, people can experience permanent hair loss.
Here we look at the types of medications that can cause hair loss and the options for avoiding or reversing drug-induced hair loss.
Share on PinterestHair loss from medication usually ceases once people stop taking the medication. However, it is vital to speak to a doctor before stopping a drug, even if it is causing hair loss.
Once a person has ceased the medication, hair can take up to 6 months to grow back.
Some people may notice hair growth within 3–6 months, but it may take 12–18 months for the hair to return to normal.
People may be able to help reverse hair loss using home remedies and natural solutions.
Eating a balanced diet may help support healthy hair and regrowth. A diet that contains plenty of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, as well as antioxidants, may also help.
A 2015 study looked at the effect of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and antioxidant supplementation on hair growth in 120 healthy females.
After 6 months, the researchers found that almost 90% of the participants who took the supplements saw reduced hair loss, as well as increased thickness of their hair.
If a person has a deficiency in specific nutrients, it can affect hair growth.
People can get a blood test to check for deficiencies that can contribute to hair loss, such as:
People who have a deficiency can take a supplement to boost levels, which may help hair to grow back.
People can buy minoxidil, or Rogaine, over the counter (OTC) and apply it topically to the scalp.
People using minoxidil may start to see their hair growing back within 3–6 months.
People can speak to a pharmacist about minoxidil or purchase it online.
Pumpkin seed oil may reduce the effects of 5-alpha reductase, which is an enzyme that contributes to hair loss.
The authors of a 2014 study looked at the effects of pumpkin seed oil in 76 males with hair loss. After 24 weeks, those who took 400 milligrams (mg) of pumpkin seed oil every day had a 40% increase in hair count, compared to 10% in those taking a placebo.
Pumpkin seed oil is available in health food stores and online.
If people are not seeing results from home and natural remedies after a few months, they can talk to their doctor to discuss other options.
Drugs that can cause hair loss include:
Blood thinners
Blood thinners, or anticoagulants, can cause hair loss. These include heparin injections and warfarin sodium, which includes the branded drugs:
Statins
Statins, which are drugs that lower cholesterol, can cause hair loss. These include:
Antidepressants
Antidepressants that can cause hair loss include:
Amphetamines
People may take amphetamines for managing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or treating narcolepsy.
The amphetamine drug Adderall lists alopecia as one of the side effects people may experience.
Anti-gout medications
Allopurinol is a drug that doctors prescribe to lower uric acid levels in people with gout. Brand names of allopurinol include:
Beta-blockers for glaucoma
Timolol is a beta-blocker people may use to treat glaucoma. Forms of timolol that may cause hair loss include:
Beta-blockers for high blood pressure
People taking beta-blockers as a treatment for high blood pressure may experience hair loss as a side effect.
These drugs include:
Hormonal medications
Hormonal medications can treat many different conditions, but can also contribute to hair loss in both males and females.
These drugs include:
Anti-inflammatory drugs
Some anti-inflammatory drugs that can cause hair loss include:
Antirheumatic drugs
People taking medication to treat rheumatoid arthritis may experience hair loss. This is because antirheumatic drugs work to fight inflammation by stopping cell growth.
Some drugs target all cells indiscriminately, which means it can affect the cells that produce new hair.
Antirheumatic drugs that may cause hair loss include:
Enbrel (etanercept) and Humira (adalimumab) may also cause hair loss in rare cases. Researchers think this might be because these drugs affect molecules in the body that send messages between cells.
Parkinson’s disease drugs
The drug Levodopa or L-dopa can cause hair loss.
Stomach disorder drugs
Drugs to treat stomach ulcers and digestive issues may cause hair loss. These medications include:
Other drugs
Other medications that can cause hair loss include:
When discussing medications with a doctor, people may want to ask some of the following:
A doctor may also be able to tell people whether their hair will start to grow back by itself or whether they will need treatment for hair loss.
If people are taking medications that are causing hair loss, they can see their doctor about switching to an alternative. Once people stop taking the medication, they may start to see hair growing back within 6 months.
In most cases, hair will grow back by itself once a person stops taking the medication. People may be able to help hair growth with at-home treatments.
If people are seeing no signs of regrowth after 6 months, they can discuss other treatment options with their doctor.
People should also speak to a doctor to determine whether another underlying issue may be causing hair loss.
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