December is the Constipation Awareness Month

Highlights:

While missing bowel motions occasionally is not a cause for concern, chronic constipation is defined by long-term or recurring bowel movements that are difficult to pass, unpleasant, infrequent, and/or appear to be unfinished
As the first step toward receiving correct care for the life-altering ailment, have an open and honest talk with your healthcare physician
December is observed as Constipation Awareness Month, to improve people’s understanding of how it is diagnosed, and the current management and treatment options

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 ().

Constipation - Causes Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment FAQs | Medindia
Constipation, or difficulty passing stool, is a common digestive complaint and is a symptom of gastrointestinal abnormalities and preventing constipation is done by treating underlying disease.

‘Constipation Awareness Month is an excellent opportunity to fill a void by raising awareness of the condition, spreading the word about it, and assisting those who suffer from it.’
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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 ().

Toddler Constipation: Causes Treatment Remedies
Toddler constipation is non-passage of stool/ motion by child for 4 days or more. Toddler constipation may also be passing of hard, painful stool. It is relieved by dietary changes & medicines.

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 Patientâ€™s Guide to Constipation

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Home Remedies for Constipation
Natural remedies do not require any prescription. Follow these simple home remedy tips to get rid of your constipation problem. Drink plenty of water, eat more fiber, exercise more, and read this article to know more about the home remedies.

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

If You Suffer from Constipation You Have Higher Chances of Getting Kidney Disease
Constipation, one of the most prevalent conditions increases risk of developing chronic kidney disease and kidney failure.

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:

Gender: female
Occurrence in elderly patients (old age)
Longer time elapsed between the onset of symptoms and the start of treatment (3^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Constipation Awareness Month, December 2022 - Importance & Preventive Tips

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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:

Increase your daily water consumption
Limiting your consumption of red meat and dairy items
Consuming a fiber-rich diet
Staying active throughout the day to promote peristaltic movement by not disregarding the urge to defecate
Increase your physical activity
Trying medication or other stress-management approaches
Avoid ingesting caffeine and alcohol
Maintaining a regular bowel evacuation schedule
Having your last meal at least 2 hours before going to bed (3^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Constipation Awareness Month, December 2022 - Importance & Preventive Tips

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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