CHAPTER Never Considered Hard Light

Constipation (BAB) of protracted should not be treated lightly. Besides causing discomfort in the stomach, difficulty CHAPTER could also be a symptom of disturbances in the function of the gastrointestinal tract.

Difficult bowel movement or constipation is a problem that many experienced people in the world. Figures incidence is increasing. For example in the United States each year there were 2.5 million outpatient visits because of complaints of constipation and every year 3 million doctors prescribe laxatives. One possible cause is eating less fiber and less exercise.

According dr.Ari Fahrial Sham, Sp.PD KGEH of the department of gastroenterology-RSCM Jakarta, chronic constipation refers to bowel movements are not regular, usually less than three times a week, in which the stool hard and difficult to get out, and this condition lasted for three months.

Based on the cause of constipation can be categorized into constipation with slow transit time, constipation due to pelvic floor muscle weakness, constipation caused by a combination of both, and constipation in irritable bowel syndrome.

Transit time itself is defined as the time required by the food to pass through the digestive tract from mouth to intestine. Normally the transit time varies from 15 to 20 hours with colonic transit time in 12 to 72 hours.

"In people with normal transit time, she felt no heartburn but have trouble removing the feces. Meanwhile, people who slow transit time, usually no sense of heartburn at all but stomach feels uncomfortable," he said in educating the media event Digestive Health: Healthy Living Home Jakarta (25 / 5).

Chronic Constipation largely caused by lifestyle, but there are some conditions that caused organic disease, such as tumors, polyps, or colon cancer. "The longer the feces in the stomach, increased contact with the intestinal wall thus causing a change or mutation-prone cells in the intestinal wall," he explained.

Disturbance "backward" This should not be ignored. "Data colonoscopy or bowel binoculars at the RSCM found most experienced ambient and 8 percent of cancers in patients who are constipated," he said.

According dr.Ari there are some signs to watch out for, among others, found blood in the stool, weight loss exceeding 5 kg, chronic fever, nausea and vomiting, constipation and more and more weight. "Be examined by a doctor, especially if the family have a history of colon cancer or a tumor," he said.

There are several ways you can do to prevent and treat constipation, such as increasing fiber intake, multiply the physical activity, drink at least two liters of water every day, and take probiotics.

"Lifestyle changes are the primary therapy of constipation patients before drugs are prescribed laxatives," said Purnomo dr.Herry Djagat, Sp.PD-KGEH, chairman of the Gastroenterology Society Working Group probiotic Indonesia.

If in 2-4 weeks there was no change in the pattern of bowel movement, a new doctor recommended laxative medicines. Meanwhile, in patients who have a pattern of slow transit, in addition to lifestyle changes your doctor will also give you a drug that stimulates the function of the intestine.