Constipation can be an extremely painful condition and, if you don't treat it, it can lead to ongoing health problems. There are several causes including an over reliance on laxatives, hyperthyroidism or poor reflexes; do you ignore the natural 'call to action' when it happens, which can lead to your body not recognizing the trigger?

The American Gastroenterological Association estimates that $750 million is spent every year by Americans on laxatives and as with any other artificial stimulants, your body can become dependent on them, in this case leading to further bowel dysfunction. If you choose to discontinue using them, it could lead to a lengthy period of discomfort as your body tries to recall how it is meant to function!

Hypothyroidism can be a common concern, particularly in women over the age of 40. An under active thyroid gland can lead to constipation, which may disguise the real issue.

Try holistic nutrition diets and focus on plenty of fiber rich foods such as vegetables. Organic flax seeds can add additional fiber and should be added in ground form and sprinkled on your food. Avoid foods known for being low in nutrition, including processed foods, junk foods and fast foods. Very high levels of these things could indicate a sugar addiction, which is a threat to your overall health anyway and must be contained.

If you suffer from irritable bowel syndrome, finding a natural balance between the good and bad bacteria could be the answer, so do your research and invest in a good-quality probiotic to try and achieve this. Don't forget that regular exercise is essential so create a suitable workout plan to boost circulation and the function of your inner organs, including your intestines and bowels.

Magnesium and aloe vera should be your first choice if you need to add supplements to your diet. Add one cup of pure water to roughly one third of a cup of pure organic aloe vera juice, along with a teaspoon full of powdered acidophilus and two level teaspoonfuls of finely ground, hight quality flax seed. This cleansing drink should be blended well and consumed before you go to bed or on an empty stomach. This is sure to clean out your intestinal tract.

Always heed the call of nature and never wait longer than you have to for a bowel movement. If you do so, water will be removed from the stool and absorbed into your body and this will make it much harder to complete the movement and over time will definitely prevent you from remaining regular.

Integrating these tips into your lifestyle and investigating holistic health solutions will help you to reduce your symptoms of constipation, get your life back on track and cure any number of ailments, many of which you were not even aware of!