There are quite a few reasons why one of your health goals should be to end constipation. That's if being constantly self poisoned is a concern for you.

One of the reasons the colon doesn’t function normally is because it absorbs too much water, making the stool dry and as a result difficult to pass. Another example of the colon not functioning as it should, would be where the colon contracts too slowly mainly due to lack of physical activity which again inhibits the motion of waste matter out of the body.

Aside from this, the most common causes of constipation include the lack of fiber (roughage) and fluids in the diet as well as constipation brought about as a side effect of certain medications, stress, holding your movements too long at a time, old age and overuse of laxatives. Other factors which bring cause constipation include physical and emotional stress which may cause the digestive process to slow down or come to a halt.

Two of the best remedies for preventing as well as treating constipation are to include the amount of fiber and water or fluids in one’s diet. Too much low fiber food such as eggs, meat and cheese leads to constipation and as such these should be ingested in sensible quantities. Insoluble Fiber, found naturally in fruits and vegetables, along with water should form the bulk of your diet as it helps to cleanse your digestive system.

Other ideas to avoid becoming constipated include leading an active life with moderate exercise as part of your routine as well as something as simple as chewing your food slowly and properly before swallowing. For more stubborn cases, though, especially where constipation is recurring, laxatives are prescribed to help break down the bulk stools. Having said this, these should only be taken in consultation with a qualified physician. Probably herbal laxatives would be better than the over-the-counter ones at the drugstore.