Everybody at one point or the other faces this condition! However, almost all of us find it quite embarrassing to discuss or talk about it openly. More often than not, persons suffering from constipation endure it in the hope that it would go away or simply turn to home remedies.
However, what one does not realise is the fact that constipation as a disorder can be completely eradicated by adopting certain lifestyle changes.
There is a general agreement among healthcare providers that modern lifestyle, disorganised eating and sleeping habits have indeed played a role in the high incidence of constipation. They are linking chronic constipation to food habits, low water intake, snacking and eating fried, oily, spicy, junk and processed food.
Abbott Gut-Health Survey, which recently focussed on constipation problem in Hyderabad, revealed that the incidence of the ailment is around six per cent while overall incidence rate of chronic constipation in India is 14 per cent. However, the study has said that 84 per cent of patients in Hyderabad suffer from it for more than four days, indicating reluctance to visit a doctor.
The study said that embarrassment and irritation while meeting a doctor were among the top reasons for patients here for not visiting the doctor.
“Constipation is a taboo in India and people are hesitant to talk about it, in spite of its high incidence. While the relief to this nagging issue is easy, people with constipation generally try out multiple self-medication options and come to a doctor only after the issue has become chronic,” says Gastroenterologist, Asian Institute of Gastroenterology, Dr. Manu Tandon.
The condition of constipation becomes much more complicated among children who find it hard to share their inconvenience in a school setting.
Physicians point out that chronic constipation, if untreated, can cause complications like faecal incontinence, haemorrhoids and anal fissures.
“In Hyderabad, almost all the schools start very early and it’s up to the parents to wake up their children and allow bowel movements to occur. Children have to be given at least 60 to 90 minutes of free time before they are sent to school. Girls suffer more because chronic constipation among them could lead to urinary tract infections, which could cause kidney damage in future,” says Associate Professor, Paediatrics, Gandhi Hospital, Dr. M.V. Murali.
Is there any natural way of eradicating constipation?
The answer could be found in yoga.
“Constipation as a problem can be fully eradicated by yoga. It’s very easy to completely get rid of the ailment. There are several processes including asanas that are meant for this condition. However, one must also remember that individuals need to adopt a clean lifestyle first,” says P. Nagraj, Iyengar yoga practitioner in Hyderabad.
– Reporting by M. Sai Gopal
