Constipation is one of those topics few people like to discuss. But if you suffer from constipation you know it can be painful and frustrating and interferes greatly with your daily life. Almost everyone suffers from constipation at some time. Studies show that up to 16 percent of women in the India meet symptom criteria for chronic constipation. Moreover, people tend to suffer with the condition for a long time. Research shows up to 45 percent of individuals with constipation report having the condition for five years or more. Now there is a good reason to talk about chronic constipation.
There is a surgical alternative that may be able to help women who have been unable to find solutions in the past for a type of chronic constipation called Obstructed Defecation Syndrome (ODS). Before you can understand whether you may have ODS, you need to understand more about chronic constipation.
Constipation occurs when bowel movements become diffcult or less frequent. Constipation is not a disease, but a symptom related to a family of diseases generally classifed as ‘defecation disorders’.
How do you know if you suffer from Chronic Constipation
Often people don’t realize they are constipated. In one study, 37 percent of women who met symptom criteria for constipation did not regard themselves as constipated. The following self-assessment can help you determine whether or not you may suffer from chronic constipation.
- Fewer than three bowel movements this week
- The need to strain at least 25 percent of the time during bowel movements.
- A feeling of not being able to complete your bowel movement at least 25 percent of the time.
- Hard or lumpy stools at least 25 percent of the time.
If you have at least two of above experiences those symptoms for at least 3 months, you may have chronical constipation.
Most of the time, chronic constipation can be relieved using a combination of diet, exercise and medication. If these approaches do not relieve your chronic constipation, you should discuss treatment options with a physician. You may be suffering from a type of chronic constipation known as Obstructed Defecation Syndrome (ODS).
ODS is a form of chronic constipation that affects thousands of people in the India – primarily women. In many cases, it is part of a more generalized weakness of pelvic support structures. Women with ODS commonly plan their daily activities around their bowel habits.
If you have chronic constipation and also have one or more of the following symptoms at least 25 percent of the time during bowel movements, you may have ODS:
- Multiple trips to the bathroom.
- Prolonged straining.
- Incomplete elimination, and/or prolonged time to have a bowel movement.
- Routine use of laxatives or enemas.
- The need to press around your genitals or anus to have a bowel movement.
STARR is a surgical procedure that is performed through the anus, requires no external incisions and leaves no visible scars. Using a surgical stapler, the procedure removes excess tissue in the rectum and reduces the deformities that can cause ODS. Patients undergoing
STARR are typically hospitalized for one to three days and have minimal recovery time after leaving the hospital.
Is STARR Effective?
Yes. In a recent clinical study, chronic constipation symptoms significantly improved in most patients undergoing the STARR procedure. Overall patient satisfaction with the STARR procedure was high, with 90 percent of patients rating the results as either good or excellent.
The patient needs to take utmost care after going home regarding his lifestyle patterns. As this condition is a result of chronic constipation the patient needs to modify diet patterns and include a high fibre diet as well as increase the water intake as much as 3-4 litres.
Post surgery the patient can go home within 24 hours. He can also join work from the 3rd day depending how fast is the recovery. But there are some points that need to be kept in mind to get 100% relief from the surgery.
- Do not sit for long hours in one place i.e not more than 45 minutes. Give maximum motility to
your body.
- When you feel the urge of defecation, do so, as avoiding the urge can pose problems again for
constipation.
- Do not forcefully defecate, but do so when you get the urge.
- Include a lot of fibre rich food like green leafy vegetables, fruits etc.
Usually post surgery some patients might have mild pain in the anal region, little discomfort whileb sitting, burning sensation in the anal region or even little bleeding with the stools sometimes. But this is a common problem that might occur within the first 1 to 2 weeks.
The patient must also keep in mind to clean the back passage with warm water especially after defecation.
After a week or so the patient can start mild exercises so that he gets back to his normal routine as early as possible. But the patient must keep in mind not to give too much stress on the body.
