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Constipation Awareness Month is a global healthcare event that takes place in December. Throughout the month, various organizations, both global and local, collaborate to undertake awareness campaigns and activities to educate people about the ailment, its repercussions, and preventive measures for constipation (1✔ ✔Trusted Source
About Constipation
Go to source
).
Importance of Constipation Awareness
Constipation is a common gastrointestinal disorder that affects people of all ages, with a general population prevalence of roughly 20% and a child prevalence of 29.6%. Constipation affects the elderly more than younger people. Elderly women experience acute constipation two to three times more frequently than their male counterparts. According to the 2018 Gut Health Survey, 22% of adults in India suffer from constipation, with 59% reporting severe constipation and 27% reporting constipation related to specific co-morbidities (2✔ ✔Trusted Source
IFFGD recognizes December as Constipation Awareness Month with the launch of Animated Patient’s Guide to Constipation
Go to source
).
Types of Constipation
Normal-transit constipation:
The most frequent type of constipation is normal-transit constipation, in which the transit of the stool through the colon and its frequency is normal, yet patients nonetheless feel constipated.
Slow-transit constipation:
It is more common in women, with a decrease in colonic motor activity and considerably reduced colonic reflexes noted after a meal and upon awakening in the morning.
Pelvic floor dysfunction:
Another type of constipation is pelvic floor dysfunction, which occurs when a person is unable to effectively relax and coordinate the muscles in the pelvic floor to have a bowel movement (2✔ ✔Trusted Source
IFFGD recognizes December as Constipation Awareness Month with the launch of Animated Patient’s Guide to Constipation
Go to source
).
Causes of Constipation
Constipation can be caused by a variety of reasons, including:
- Diet with little fiber
- Caffeine addiction
- Alcohol abuse
- Medications
- Endocrine problems
- Neurological disorder
- Psychological problems
Prognosis of Constipation
Most pediatric patients benefit from medical treatment, while constipation in adults has a poor prognosis and has a negative impact on quality of life. The following factors are linked to a poor prognosis:
Complications of Constipation
Constipation for an extended period might result in issues such as:
- Pain in the abdomen
- Hemorrhoids
- Anal fissures
- Pelvic floor dysfunction
- Incontinence of feces
- Retention of urine
- Perforation of the stercoral (bowel perforation due to pressure necrosis from a focal mass)
- Prolapse of the rectum (expansion and protrusion of rectum out of the anus)
- Volvulus (twisting a loop of intestine around itself, causing bowel obstruction)
- Anal fistula
Taking the aforementioned constipation factors and problems into account, people should treat their disease seriously by contacting a nearby competent gastroenterologist if their symptoms persist, as many frequently delay medical assistance mislabeling this serious ailment as a nuisance. Patients suffering from constipation are unaware that their illness is curable and preventable due to a lack of understanding and the normal stigma associated with occult conditions.
Simple Tips to Prevent Constipation
The preventive measures listed below should be followed regularly to lessen the likelihood of acquiring constipation as well as alleviate it. Preventative measures include:
References :
- About Constipation – (https://aboutconstipation.org/)
- IFFGD recognizes December as Constipation Awareness Month with the launch of Animated Patient’s Guide to Constipation – (https://iffgd.org/news/press-release/2019-iffgd-recognizes-december-as-constipation-awareness-month-with-the-launch-of-animated-patient-s-guide-to-constipation/)
- Constipation Awareness Month, December 2022 – Importance & Preventive Tips – (https://www.pacehospital.com/constipation-awareness-month-december-2022-importance-preventive-tips)
Source: Medindia
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