Let’s talk about constipation today.

Yes, you read that right. Does that make you uncomfortable? Well, I certainly hope not as it is a topic that needs to be spoken about. It matters because it affects our health and hence the quality of life that we lead.

Constipation, like many other health issues, is often pushed under the rug in our country. We don’t like to talk about it, often feel shy or uncomfortable saying that we are suffering from it. Clearly, that shouldn’t be the case. It’s perhaps the lack of information and awareness that leads to this kind of handling of important health issues such as this. And that’s where it is wrong. Apathy when it comes to health related matters is something we need to do away with. Hence, the post on constipation today.

Did you know that constipation actually affects 1 in 7 Indians? Yes, we all have probably been there even if we don’t say it out loud. I know I did as a kid and sometimes even suffer from it now. This, therefore, makes it imperative that we know what constipation is and address it.

How would you describe constipation? Think about it as I tell you more.

Constipation is often described in terms of the difficulty faced with bowel movements. It is either expressed in terms of the difficulty in it or the uneasiness experienced after it. Often, it is also described in terms of the frequency of bowel movements or the lack of it thereof. But whatever be the identifying factor, the fact is constipation makes us uncomfortable. From physical discomfort, loss of appetite and anxiety, constipation leads to a number of complaints such as these. Hence, it is beneficial if we know the factors that lead to it and if possible prevent it.

So, what mostly causes constipation?

A low fibre diet, low intake of fluids, sedentary lifestyle, ignoring the urge either due to limited access to bathrooms or even hygiene worries are among some of the factors that cause constipation. Sometimes constipation can also result due to some medications or diseases. The right thing to do, therefore, is not ignoring it and seeking a medical opinion instead.

Can we do anything to prevent constipation?

There are a number of things we can take care of to keep constipation at bay. And they are quite simple really. These are all preventive measures. As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure, we could all try and implement these in our lives.

Being aware and alert of any changes in our bowel routine.

Try to maintain bowel moments on a schedule or have a bowel routine, so to speak.

Maintain the right posture while using a toilet.

Drink sufficient fluids.

Exercise or engage in physical activity.

Include fibre in our diet.

Going to the toilet when needed.

Of course, if none of the preventive measures works, the best thing to do is to consult a doctor.

I hope you learnt something about constipation today, I urge you to spread awareness about it. It’s always better to be aware so that we can seek professional help especially when it comes to our health.

Disclaimer: ‘The blog post is not meant to be a replacement for a doctor consultation, nor is it a medical recommendation or prescription of treatment for people having constipation problems. Any reader of this blog suffering from constipation problems should specifically consult his/her doctor for the same and follow the suggested course of treatment’