In medical college, during community medicine classes, we once had a discussion about the ideal location for a toilet.This discussion often made us grimace.After one such class, one of, my friends said
“Amrita you haven’t used a toilet in rural India, how would you know why this is such an important topic!.”
The Gods were listening.I married my best friend from medical college who by God’s grace came from a small village in West Bengal.All things being equal, God helps us get the lessons we need.My in laws place was much better than many in the village.But no running water!Plus the toilet was outside the actual home, even though in the courtyard!
Imagine me newly wed, born and city-bred throughout, looking with shocked silence at this facility.The problem was exactly what Vidya Balan talks about in the famous ad.How in heaven’s name, is the new bride supposed to do her morning loo visit, in front of all the guests?
Luckily for me, my hubby understood my silent torment and stood guard in front of the loo.
But the result from that and later visits was always constipation.
The anxiety, stress is so bad that you don’t want to drink water or any other thing which will make you visit the loo.
But I was lucky.I know women who suffer so badly, they end up getting hemorrhoids, fissures and worse.These are step sisters of constipation.The harder your poop is the worse it will be.One in seven Indians have constipation and suffer silently.
Statistics show women more than men suffer from constipation.The situation becomes a bigger problem with advancing age. Constipation in India, has less to do with biology and more to do with sociology.
Women just can’t talk about it, till it becomes bad.They suffer from chronic irritation, anger, frustration and all the spectrum of diseases that constipation brings.
I know women who spend more than 2 hours in the loo and freak out if they have to travel!Travel being part of many jobs makes matters worse.
Since we are talking about breaking the stigma, I want to give a big shout out to the Government’s initiative of building toilets in rural India.Believe me, we need it.
Also all along the national highways for women travelers, we need hygienic safe toilets with proper security.Who can poop in peace when you afraid of you life right?.
Even in villages, the toilet needs to be safely inside the home with running water, otherwise, the purpose doesn’t get served.
How to break the vicious cycle?
Talk about any problem you are having early.
People have different pooping habits.Once a day is a norm, but even twice is not uncommon.According to the definition, some people go 3 times a day, and some 3 times a week.Anything less than 3 times is bad and cause for worry.
[bctt tweet=”Up to 3 times a day, and some 3 times a week.Anything less than 3 times a day is bad and cause for worry. #HWB guess what I am talking about ” username=”misra_amrita”]
What’s bad is when it’s not a daily habit and you ignore nature’s call and carry on with your other important work.
Believe me when I say this
‘ A happy pooper is a happy person.”
Your Gastrointestinal tract has a nervous system.It interacts with your brain.When you miss pooping, this sends stress signals to your brain and makes you irritable.How weird is that?
Not really.Only if you knew about the pooping habits of the cranky old man in the corner shop!Remember Piku?Get the drift.When it comes to #Constipation conversations you can’t ignore habits, diet, and lifestyle.
Habits
Encourage children to have daily pooping habits.When they need to go , they should go’.Otherwise, they don’t understand at the right time and wrong time.
Diet
Drink water: Fluids , fruits, and probiotics are the 3 pillars of your diet.
The best fluid to get those toxins flushed out of your body.At Least 4 liters and up to 6 liters if it’s very hot!The single biggest change comes with this free drink that God has given.Fuids include water, juice and soups, but not tea, coffee or cold drinks.the latter three can make it worse.
Include plenty of fruits and veggies in your diet to get a good amount of fibers.
Health tip for a happy you:
Remember 3 things for good loo habits: Fluid, Fruit, and probiotics.
3 Fruits which make your bowels happy are Green Kiwi, banana, and prunes.
Apples with peel, berries, guava, all have good fiber content.Nuts(walnut and almond are best), seeds like flaxseed should all be included in a balanced diet.
Veggies good for you in this department: Most green leafy vegetables, beans, sweet potato, have a good amount of fiber.
Lifestyle
- Don’t stress it.Chronic stress can make constipation worse and constipation makes you stress.vicious cycle!
- Never ignore the urge!If you are afraid of hygiene issues at the workplace, carry tissues and wet wipes to make it easier.
Just don’t torture the rest of you because you didn’t poop!
- Exercise every day .not once in a blue moon and not 3 times a week .everyday.Walk for 20 to 40 minutes every day, lift weights, do yoga, skipping ropes pilates. rock climbing, whatever, just get moving.
Conclusion:
If you have never had constipation, this might look like too much worry.But did you know a blocked bowel can give rise to serious medical conditions?
It is a big cause of depression, anxiety, poor sexual satisfaction, unhappy marital life, social awkwardness and reduced self-confidence.
But don’t worry, there’s help.The power is in your hand.If you take care of the 3Fs (Fluid, fiber fear), probiotics and exercise, things will get better.
Do you have any tips for a healthy bowel?
#Disclaimer ‘I attended a panel discussion on constipation awareness facilitated by Abbott India Limited. Any opinion expressed on this blog is my personal opinion and not the opinion of Abbott India Limited. Abbott India Limited does not assume any liability for the content of the blog. 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’
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I have been struggling with my elder one’s constipation problem for quite a while now, despite of having proper diet (fluids, fruits and no junk at all, not even biscuits), any suggestions?
Need a detailed history and examination by a child specialist. Most often its insufficient water, lack of roughage in diet or lack of an active lifestyle. If all these are okay then a checkup may help you identify the problem.
Thanks Doc Amrita, however after many tests, there has been no diagnosis of the problem so we are just focusing on her diet
you’ve covered a problem which is considered very trivial and enlightened the facts and solution in a understandable manner. great work.
Very important topic n it needs to be discussed. I loved ur approach. Thanks for sharing ????
Interesting approach to the topic. You did well at making a semi uncomfortable topic open and transparent. Thanks for the information
First of all, thanks Amrita for creating an awareness about such an important topic! People should take constipation seriously and consult their doctor soon! One should learn to maintain hygiene at public toilets too!
Thanks Ana
Wow I never experienced constipation until I was really and and was on lots of pills which made me visiting the loo a pain in the ass. Good post didn’t know it’s so bad in India
Thank you for this post. I’ve had issue all my life with constipation and let me tell you it isn’t fun at all.
Check out our expert’s views on what causes the problem and how to help your child feel better.
It’s true, bathroom habits can definitely be a taboo subject especially in other cultures. That however doesn’t stop the issue from happening, opening up and discussing it is a great way to help other people suffering too. Also I found that increasing my water really does help provide relief
Yes water helps .
I never took constipation seriously, but your post does make me think it is a problem for so many.
Thanks for reading.
Thanks for your openness on talking about this! It’s a serious issue for some. I always joke with friends that you know you’re friends when you can openly talk about bathroom issues.
Last week when I was away on a business trip, my team and I found ourselves discussing constipation because some of us had dietary restrictions. I mentioned to them that keeping a food journal helped me out in determining my constipation.
A good idea is a food journal
I could relate. I completely avoid using washrooms when I travel due to unhygienic issues.
I think Flax seeds is one of the best remedy for constipation apart from lots of fiber.
My mother has had bowel issues for as long as I can remember and now matter how many people tell her to take a daily dose of miralax she won’t. I feel like i’ve been pretty backed up lately and have been trying to make dietary changes and perhaps take miralax myself!
It’s great that you’re talking about this! Gut health is so important, but it’s still taboo. Thanks for bringing attention to this issue. Hopefully it will start a really important conversation.
I know some women who have acute constipation when they are traveling. Keeping myself hydrated and having food on time helps me. I can empathize with the situation you found yourself after marriage, must have been tough
I think it is great that you shed light on this topic. Many people (including me) shy away from talking about this but it is normal and why not talk about it? Nothing to be ashamed of and I think it is good for people to at least nform themselves about it if they are too shy to be open enough to talk.
Very right
I noticed as Im getting older its more of an issue !!! these tips are so helpful! Thank you!
Water and a proper diet are essential for me. If not, everything will get thrown for a loop!
This is very informative post and I have to say that I have never thought of anything here. I probably have the right diet so I do not have constipation problems in general.
not having access to a hygenic safe toilet is a problem for all women. I find it difficult to find a decent toilet while traveling by road somewhere. I know its imp to drink loads of fluid, but I reduce that considerably while traveling because of a lack of decent toilets!
Thats a very big problem
Oh I have used a toilet in village and yes, it is a nightmare. It’s so stressful to think about it each morning. In addition to fruits, pulses keeps my tummy happy 😀 Very Informative post.
Toilets in villages are sad!I wish a simple thing like this would be easier!
It is impressive how you’ve handled such a sensitive, embarrassing and IMPORTANT issue, Dr Amrita. Constipation is a serious issue and it it sad that people are ashamed to discuss it. My mom makes a delicious sugar free Dry Date Halwa that helps in the toughest case of constipation.
Glad you wrote this post and I hope it helps a lot of people who are suffering silently .
Thanks Mayuri.
Such an informative post! My aunt had constipation so frequently that she had to take a complete diet restructure for more than 6 months which helped her relieve !
Ok i never know toilet hygiene also matter !! well may be thanks for share
It’s strange isn’t it that a natural thing like that is a taboo… much so over here as well… Good nutrition is so important and maybe making it more natural for the kids to talk about… Interesting read:-)
I am reading a post on Constipation for the first timeband it actually reminded me of Piku:) but agree with you..it’s very common and something which needs immediate action. Rural India needs a makeover and good bathroom facility. It can be caused due to many different reasons and fruits and veggies are the best.
Well this is certainly an unusual topic for a blog post, but I can see why it’s necessary. In Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) where I was brought up, the toilet was often a little shanty at the bottom of a large garden (yard) and involved a trip down through the mud in the rainy season. Lovely. Especially at night. There was also no running water there and I still remember that smell to this day.
That sounds scary Shirley !the topic is unfortunately a very sad one too .
Very informative. Love the style of writing, mixing personal experiences with important issues.
Thanks Roshan .
Lack of hygiene in public toilets is the most discouraging factor in India when it comes to road travel. I do not travel by trains for the same reason. The movie Piku did a good job of bringing constipation to the discussion table. One question- what are the sources of probiotics? The one that I am aware of is probiotic curd available in the market.
Thanks Anamika for reading .You can read about probiotics and prebiotics .Important to know.
Thanks Anamika for reading.You can read about probiotics and prebiotics .Important to know.
I so agree with you. Its construction of toilets and then maintenance. Traveling in India is a task for us because whether we would get proper toilets and clean ones is a question. Then all the parade to control starts leading to our improper health. Further I also wana highlight there is a difference between a loo and bathroom. We need to maintain hygiene which people dont want to understand
Thanks Manisha , I think you are right about all that you mentioned.Population control and education for all is the only way to battle out ignorance
Yes Amrita for sure