Constipation is one of the most delicate problems a person can face. It is not accepted to speak out loud about him, which inevitably contributes to the emergence of not only myths and stereotypes, but also fears. A person suffering from constipation experiences constant physical discomfort, and along with it, the quality of life gradually changes, the general condition becomes depressed, anxious, character deteriorates, which also adds problems in personal and social sphere. A “vicious circle” arises: a health problem inevitably provokes negative experiences and stress, which, in turn, exacerbate the problem.
According to the All-Russian Internet Congress of Internal Medicine Specialists (2012), 2,700,000 visits to to the doctor of patients with chronic constipation, and in our country constipation becomes a problem for 20% of the adult population and 30-40% of people over 60 years old; 2-3% of all medical consultations are conducted on this issue.
Constipation inevitably and significantly reduces the quality of human life, interferes with productive work and personal life. Patients with these ailments are constantly haunted by questions related to their condition, the need for treatment and the choice of drugs. It is possible and necessary to take a laxative, but when will it work? Will the medicine be the reason for the disruption of an important business meeting or the postponement of a family trip to the theater? Will the long-awaited date fail due to the untimely action of the laxative?
Even those who have suffered from constipation for many years, and, it would seem, have studied their bodies inside and out, periodically fall into confusion, not knowing how the intestines will once again react to what is taken laxative. There are other problems as well. For example, the body gets used to the vast majority of laxatives over time, which becomes a source of additional problems. The medicine stops working, and without it, normal bowel movements are no longer possible, which is why you have to either increase the dosage, or change the drug, to which the body also over time get used to it. In addition, many laxatives literally "flush" vital micronutrients and electrolytes from the intestines that are essential for normal metabolism and digestion. This circumstance can serve as a trigger for the development of many diseases and complications.
What to do? Put up with the excruciating heaviness in the stomach, hoping that the body will cope on its own? Treat constipation, hoping that addiction and other complications of such treatment will be bypassed? Follow "folk" recipes and advice from experienced friends and Internet users, many of whom, frankly, are unsafe?
Constipation must be treated, it is unacceptable to hope that the body will cope with it on its own. But long-term use of most laxatives really provokes addiction to them, which is why doctors recommend alternating laxatives with each other. Vegaprate is optimal to take in turn with any other laxatives and to avoid the body's addiction to them. Even if you take this drug for a long time, it cannot tolerate the vitamins and minerals the body needs. In addition, it is the most convenient to take: it is enough to take one tablet once a day without being tied to food intake, its effect occurs in 2.5 hours, so you can easily plan your day.
No matter how "delicate" the problem of constipation may seem, it is impossible to hope that it will be eliminated by itself. Timely treatment and competent prevention will allow you to overcome both the constipation itself and the fears associated with it.
Alina Nikulina, general practitioner, city polyclinic №62, g. Moscow
