After the End of Heat, autumn is drawing near. Recently, many readers have called to report that the dry weather is not only making their throats sore and causing a dry cough, but also leading to a sudden outbreak of acne. What's more uncomfortable is the problem with bowel movements. For constipation caused by autumn dryness, many people find it hard to talk about. Today, let's listen to some expert advice, which might help everyone no longer be troubled by this constipation. Dehydration-Induced Constipation: Solve It by Drinking Water
Elderly and Office-Working Women Are Prone to Constipation
During autumn, the dry air causes the body to lose more moisture than usual, leading to a deficiency of fluids in the lungs and intestines. In the lungs, this manifests as a dry cough and a sore throat. In the digestive system, it leads to the embarrassing problem of constipation. This is especially difficult for those who already have chronic constipation.
For constipation caused by dehydration, the best method is to drink 500 milliliters of water all at once right after waking up in the morning, before eating. You might ask, why must it be all at once? This is because when you drink water slowly, it has plenty of time to be absorbed into the bloodstream. If you drink it this way, the intestines don't receive much water. Therefore, only by drinking a large amount of water quickly in the morning can the body not absorb it all in time, sending the water to the intestines to soften the stool and promote bowel movements.
Elderly and Office-Working Women Are Prone to Constipation
For the elderly, their "spleen and stomach qi" is weak, and their intestinal motility is poor, making it difficult to expel stool in a timely manner. Some also suffer from symptoms like "qi deficiency," which further complicates bowel movements. Young office-working women face a similar situation because they sit for long hours without moving, which weakens their intestinal motility. Additionally, their abdominal muscles lack strength, making it hard to push the stool out.
In this case, sticking to daily exercise before bed can be a good solution. For example, take a walk, or before sleeping, massage your abdomen clockwise 100 times around the navel. This will generally ensure smooth bowel movements the next day. Young people can also do sit-ups before bed to strengthen their abdominal muscles.
Constipation caused by autumn dryness also often affects those with chronic constipation. For these individuals, during this season, not only is the stool dry and hard, but bowel movements are slow, or the interval between them becomes longer than usual—exceeding their regular habit by more than a day, or even going three consecutive days without a bowel movement. These are all typical symptoms of autumn dryness-induced constipation.
In this situation, the primary task is to solve the problem. Director Lin says that San Ye Chong Ji (a herbal preparation) can effectively relieve this problem with minimal side effects and help with bowel movements. Some people prefer to take Guo Dao Pian (a laxative), but this should not be taken casually. Frequent use can lead to dependency and damage the intestines, making future bowel movements even more difficult. Additionally, you can buy Cao Jue Ming (seeds from Cassia tora) from a Chinese pharmacy. Soak it in water and drink it regularly; it can also help promote bowel movements. Nutritional Recipes to Prevent Constipation
Don't Skimp on Oil in Autumn Diets
The autumn dryness, combined with a lack of oil's lubrication, not only makes the intestines dry and prone to constipation but also causes the skin to lose its luster. Therefore, it's a good idea to add some meat to your autumn diet. For example, stew spare ribs with lotus root, eating the meat and drinking the broth for a nutritious and cooling meal.
You can also cook green-skinned black beans with a couple of pieces of fatty pork, then eat the beans. Black beans are rich in various nutrients and can reduce edema and help maintain your figure. Adding a couple of pieces of fatty pork is nothing to worry about in terms of weight gain.
Furthermore, adding sesame oil to soups or noodles, and olive oil to cold dishes, are good choices. Eat More Carrots, Sweet Potatoes, etc.
Carrots are rich in vitamin B, which promotes the secretion of digestive fluids and maintains and promotes intestinal peristalsis, making them effective in preventing and treating constipation. You can try placing two carrots in a small ceramic pot, adding some water and a little oil, and cooking them until soft before eating.
Sweet potatoes are a great food in autumn. Choose red-fleshed sweet potatoes, add a few red dates and some honey, and mash them together. This is especially suitable for relieving constipation in the elderly.
Sugarcane has a cooling and fluid-generating effect. It can relieve dry stools without being too "cold" in nature, making it good for supplementing the spleen and stomach in the elderly. Lotus root and water chestnuts are rich in dietary fiber and have a refreshing taste, making them good foods for relieving dry stools. Papaya, Cordyceps, and Snow Frog Combination
Cordyceps has long been known for its immune-boosting effects. Snow frog can improve resistance, combat cold, lower blood lipids, and alleviate chronic bronchitis, making it very useful for autumn constipation.
You can try stewing papaya with snow frog, or boiling snow frog rock sugar, which is effective for relieving constipation in children caused by "liver heat." Furthermore, stewing snow frog with cordyceps creates a medicinal dish with even greater benefits, especially suitable for the elderly.