"No bowel movement!” Chronic constipation may require treatment. ^{1, 2)}

"Chronic constipation" is briefly defined as "a significant decrease in the number of bowel movements and/or difficulty in bowel movements". People who have less than 3 bowel movements a week often suffer from difficulty in bowel movements due to abdominal bloating or abdominal pain/hard feces. Among them, those who have a feeling of difficulty in bowel movements or a feeling of incomplete evacuation at least once in 4 bowel movements often need some kind of treatment because it interferes with daily life.

Is it a phenomenon of the frequency of bowel movements or is it difficulty in having bowel movements? ¹⁾

Chronic constipation is classified into "reduced frequency of bowel movements" and "difficulty in having bowel movements" based on the symptoms. Constipation due to "reduced frequency of bowel movements" is caused by excessive accumulation of stool in the colon as a result of a decrease in the frequency of bowel movements and stool volume. Symptoms such as abdominal bloating and abdominal pain occur. Constipation due to "difficulty in having bowel movements" is caused by inability to evacuate stool in the rectum adequately and comfortably during a bowel movement. It not only makes a bowel movement difficult but also causes a feeling of incomplete evacuation.

How to deal with chronic constipation without putting a burden on the body^1-4)

1) Lifestyle improvement

Lifestyle improvement has also been reported to be effective in relieving chronic constipation. Measures for constipation by improving lifestyle include (1) trying to consume a diet rich in dietary fiber, (2) eating fermented foods such as yogurt or supplements, (3) drinking a large amount of water, (4) doing moderate exercise, and (5) massaging the abdomen (abdominal wall).

It is not exactly about lifestyle, but it is also important to have the right posture for a bowel movement. In the Japanese toilet, you can take a posture suitable for a bowel movement without being aware of it. In the Western style toilet, the posture of bending forward like Rodin’s statue "The thinker" is considered most appropriate for a bowel movement.

2) Treatment with drugs

The goal of treatment with drugs for chronic constipation is to normalize a stool shape and promote bowel movement. So, use laxatives that are not habit-forming. It is important to minimize the use of stimulant laxatives as a single use and avoid forming a habit by continuous use or abuse.