Constipation is a menace in city life

Constipation is a serious problem that can disrupt the peace of life. Most often we hear our elders complaining about their difficulty in bowel discharge. This problem is treated lightly by most of us. Normally, people are reticent about freely talking about this lingering issue. In reality it is not as amusing as it seems. A recent survey by a leading healthcare company named Abbott suggested that 22% of the adult Indian population is suffering from the condition, with 13% complaining of severe constipation. They conducted a nationwide Gut Health Survey to assess the condition of constipation sufferers in the country across 8 major cities, as well as the association of Constipation with comorbidities such as Diabetes, Hypothyroidism, and Anorectal disorders.

The Gut Health Survey highlights the predicament of these ‘silent sufferers’, the cause of chronic constipation and problems associated with it. Abbott partnered with IPSOS, a global market research and consulting firm,that surveyed 4,133 respondents across the cities of Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chennai, Patna, Ahmedabad and Lucknow to understand the seriousness of the issue.

Dr Ramesh Roop Rai, Professor & Director, Department of Gastroenterology, NIMS Medical College and University, Jaipur, says “The problem of constipation is rising in India, especially in urban population. It is basically due to faulty diet and lifestyle habits. Less water and fibre intake, sedentary lifestyle are very much attributed to constipation thereby affecting quality of life. Moreover, many lifestyle disorders like diabetes, hypertension are also associated with symptoms of constipation. Every physician must be aware of the same and proactively enquire about symptoms of constipation and treat it accordingly.”

Dr. Rashmi Hegde, Director – Medical Affairs, Abbott India Ltd, said, “In the healthcare ecosystem, every player has a role to play to improve healthcare – be it the patient or the treatment providers. As highlighted in the study, a large number of sufferers are present across India and almost half of them are not visiting a doctor for treatment. Being the therapy leaders in this space, we are creating the #ConstipationConversations movement across various platforms to ensure that the ‘silent sufferers’ can speak up. We want to create a healthcare ecosystem that enables people to live a fuller life.”

Indian Cricketer, Virender Sehwag, who has been associated with Abbott on gut health awareness initiatives said, “Being an athlete, I know gastrointestinal issues can be the root cause for many other health issues including mental health. If we suffer from gastrointestinal issues, it becomes difficult to focus and perform well on field and in life. Having a healthy gut is key as it allows the body to build a stronger immune system.” Infact, the survey results state that after common cold and cough, constipation is one of the most common self-claimed problems for Indians.

The Survey Findings:

The eight-city survey highlights higher percentage of constipation sufferers in metros (23%) as opposed to non-metros (19%). Kolkata has the highest number of sufferers at 28%, followed by Chennai at 26%.

Various metabolic disorders are likely to cause constipation. For example, Diabetics are 2.2 times more prone to constipation is nondiabetics while patients with Hypothyroidism are 2.4 times likely to develop constipation vs patients without hypothyroidism. Moreover, people with Anorectal disorders have more than 2.7 times the likelihood of associated constipation. Constipation tends to be more severe when associated with some of these comorbidities.

Pregnancy was found to be a common cause of constipation in women, with every 1 in 4 pregnant females (25%) suffering from constipation. It has been observed that constipation is most common in the second trimester. The survey also highlights the fact that 18% pregnant women developed anorectal disorders, thus making it imperative for medical practitioners to identify the condition in its early stage and begin treatment.

Practices like irregular eating habits, consumption of junk food and less water intake have been identified as key factors causing constipation. 21% sufferers do not indulge in any physical activity, making sedentary lifestyle an important factor associated with constipation.

The survey also brought to light the fact that though 88% of the sufferers are concerned about the condition, very few are willing to discuss it with their immediate family or friends due to the “social taboo”. According to the survey findings, 49% of the respondents have been shy about seeking medical help to solve their problem. In fact, on an average, respondents admit to waiting for an average of four months before deciding on consulting a doctor.

A glaring 33% of the sufferers have never treated constipation, while 48% have resorted to home remedies to treat the condition.

Kolkata tops the charts with 28% respondents suffering from constipation. The survey highlights that one-fourth of Kolkata sufferers do not indulge in any physical activity and believe in self-medication rather than consulting a doctor.

Chennai, which is next in line to Kolkata, has a 34% population claiming to experience extreme pain while passing stools. Delhi, which has 23% respondents suffering from constipation shows the highest number of people consuming outside food along with high intake of junk food.

Hyderabad also has the highest percentage of those people who have ever visited a doctor - 68%. Nearly 58% of sufferers chose allopathy as their first line of treatment.

Dr. Manu Tandon, Gastroenterologist, Asian Institute of Gastroenterology, Hyderabad, says, “This study reveals that one of every 4-5 Indians suffers from Constipation. Half of these sufferers do not seek early medical help. This common problem can be avoided by leading a healthy life style, eating a balanced and healthy diet, drinking adequate water & keeping oneself physically active. Medical advice should be taken early by those who do not respond to the above mentioned measures”.