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Reasons to treat constipation
Why constipation should not be ignored
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When you think, hang on, there is a blockage and you are so uncomfortable, you can’t think of anything else, that’s when I know I have to take something for it. |
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| When constipation only occurs once in a while, many of us tend to wait for it to
go away by itself. After all, what real harm can it do? In fact, there are several
reasons to treat constipation:
Transit time
The time taken for food to pass through our bodies varies from person to
person. Food can be passed through our bodies in as little as 24-36 hours,
however, research suggests that the average is approximately 50 to 60
hours. This can be even longer when you’re constipated, leading to a build-up
of waste in the bowel, which can make you feel very uncomfortable.
Build-up of waste
When you think about it, constipation is essentially food waste, that could be
days old, sitting around in your body for longer than it should - you’ve been
eating all different kinds of food but none of the waste from this is coming out. It
builds up, getting heavier and heavier and you’re carrying that around with you
day after day –so it’s no wonder constipation can make you feel uncomfortable,
bloated and lethargic. |
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Impact on quality of life
The effects of constipation are not just physical but can affect you in other ways.
The results of a survey carried out at a specialist constipation clinic show that:
- 65% of people mentioned discomfort, fatigue and skin complaints as symptoms they associated with constipation
- one in four women mentioned irritability as a symptom of constipation
- 51% admit to feeling less attractive, which impacts on their social lives; 38% said that they have either cancelled or left early from a social engagement
- 68% said that having constipation affects their sex life, either because it is too painful or they do not feel attractive
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A vicious circle
Waste that sits in the bowel for longer than is normal can cause your bowel wall
to stretch and the muscles to function less efficiently. If it happens over a prolonged period it can become more difficult for waste to move through the bowel, which can make
you become constipated again and so the vicious circle continues.
Sometimes certain changes in lifestyle can be very effective at relieving constipation. However, there may be times when you need a little help to get back to normal. What is essential is that we do not ignore our bodies – we need to recognise the symptoms and treat constipation accordingly.
A combination of healthy living and giving your system a hand when it needs it is the key to taking control of your digestive health.
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