4 million Americans Suffering from Constipation: Why Still they don’t wanna talk about it?

Constipation is used to describe an abnormal infrequency or irregularity of defecation or bowel movement. There is abnormal hardening of stools that makes their passage difficult and sometimes it is painful, or it may be a decrease in stool volume or retention of stool in the rectum for a prolonged period. Any variation from normal habits maybe considered a problem.

According to survey, most of the Americans are not interested in talking about constipation that shows how they are uncomfortable discussing the subject. There are about 4 million Americans who frequently experience constipation. People over 65 years old are most commonly affected. About 2 percent of people suffer constipation but it can affect the 34 percent of women over 65 years old and about 26 percent of men according to American Family Physician Article.

A number of factors contribute to this increased frequency in elderly. People who have loose fitting dentures or have lost their teeth have difficulty chewing and frequently choose soft processed foods that are low in fiber. Convenience food is also low in fiber, but they are widely used by those who have lost interest in eating. Some older people reduce their fluid intake if they are not eating regular meals. Lack of Exercise and prolonged bed rest may also contribute to constipation because it decreases the abdominal muscle tone and intestinal motility as well as the anal sphincter tone.

Constipation can be caused by different medication, rectal or anal disorders, obstruction, and may be lead poisoning. Many people develop constipation because they do not take time to defecate or they ignore the urge to defecate. In the United States, constipation is a result of dietary habits like low consumption of fiber, inadequate fluid intake, lack of regular exercise and stress filled life.

The symptoms of constipation include the following: There is loss of appetite, headache, fatigue, indigestion, pain every time you try to defecate, a sensation of incomplete emptying, and fresh blood streak in the stool.

The Treatment for this is to deal with the underlying cause of constipation and that includes education, bowel habit training, increased fiber and fluid intake and judicious use of laxatives. Management may also include discontinuing laxative abuse. Routine exercise to strengthen abdominal muscles is encouraged.

Daily addition to diet of 6 to 12 teaspoon of unprocessed bran is highly recommended, especially for the treatment of constipation in the elderly.  Rectal suppositories and enemas are not recommended for constipation and should be reserved for the treatment of impaction or for preparing the bowel for surgery or diagnostics procedure.