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About Constipation

Constipation is a condition in which the frequency of bowel movement is <3 times per week. It occurs when water in the colon gets absorbed too much.

Burden of Condition

Constipation is a common condition that affects the quality of life. 1 out of 5 individuals is affected by constipation accounting for 12% of the global population.

A recent survey reported that 22% of the adult Indian population suffers from constipation. Gender Prevalence and prevalence of constipation in the Indian population are shown in the below charts

Prevalence (Male vs Female) of Constipation in India


Prevalence of Constipation in Indian population

Causes of Constipation

Constipation occurs due to multiple causes which include slow transit of the stool, age, diet, physical inactivity, stress, hormonal, psychological, neurological, metabolic disorders, certain drugs, cancer, and pregnancy.

Symptoms of Constipation

Symptoms include

  • A sensation of incomplete evacuation
  • Pain on defecation
  • Abdominal pain
  • Bloating
  • Flatulence
  • Bleeding on severe straining
  • Psychological Symptoms such as irritability, anxiety, restlessness, fatigue

Should the symptoms be neglected, constipation can lead to complications as well.

Constipation in Babies and Children

The prevalence of childhood constipation range from 0.7% to 29.6%.


Prevalence of constipation in Children in India

Children usually suffer from constipation due to dietary and lifestyle changes such as the transition from breast milk to formula etc.

Management of Constipation

The Bristol stool scale is used as a reliable tool designed to classify the stool in 7 types from hard lumps to entirely liquid.

Bristol Stool scale
Types Bristol Stool Form Bristol Stool Scale
Type 1 Separate hard lumps (hard to pass) Severe Constipation
Type 2 Sausage-shaped, but lumpy Mild Constipation
Type 3 Like a sausage but with cracks on its surface Normal stool
Type 4 Like a sausage or snake, smooth and soft Normal stool
Type 5 Soft blobs with clear cut edges (easy to pass) Normal (tending towards loose stool)
Type 6 Fluffy pieces with ragged edges, a mushy stool Mild Diarrhoea
Type 7 Watery, no solid pieces, entirely liquid Severe Diarrhoea

Simple lifestyle changes can treat acute constipation. For chronic constipation, the underlying condition must be managed by a specialist.

Home Remedies for Constipation

Diet and Lifestyle modifications Food to eat and limit if you are constipated
Food to eat Foods to limit
Fresh Fruits: Apple, Pear Unripe Bananas
Vegetables: Spinach, Sprouts, etc. Alcohol, Red Meat, Fish, Processed Foods
Pulses: Beans, lentils Gluten-Containing Foods
Seeds: Chia seeds, Flax seeds Dairy product
Prunes, Raisins, Apricots, Figs Fried foods, fast food
Whole grain, oat bran white bread, white pasta

Discuss your symptoms with a GP online during an audio/video consultation, who will identify the cause and recommend treatment.

FAQ

Add fresh fruits, vegetables, and probiotics to your diet and drink more water.

Passing hard stools, or excessive straining, having <3 bowel movements/week, and a sense of incomplete evacuation.

3 or more days is usually long

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