Constipation sufferers

Constipation sufferers go from "oh, oh, no" to "ho, ho, ho" this Christmas

Experts are advising constipation sufferers that their feelings of unhappiness and anti-social mood need not put a stop to enjoying the festive season in light of new Australian research released today 1.

The study*, which supports international findings 2, was carried out online with 1,500 Australian participants who were split evenly between sufferers and non-sufferers of constipation.

The results highlight that constipation sufferers feel they have a lower quality of life than non-sufferers, which in turn impacts on their happiness, ability to go about daily tasks and leaves them feeling less sociable - all of which can hamper Christmas preparations and attending work, social or family get togethers during a typically festive time.

Professor Terry Bolin, President of The Gut Foundation, agreed that constipation can affect a person emotionally as well as physically when they find that the condition restricts their normal behaviour and affects their happiness.

"Everybody wants to enjoy Christmas and New Year and there is no reason for constipation sufferers to miss out when there are options available at your local pharmacy that offer fast relief, such as stimulant laxatives.

"While some people may benefit from a fibre-rich diet, for others with more severe constipation increased fibre actually makes symptoms worse, and increasing fluid intake provides no significant relief, except in cases of dehydration. There could be a greater role for laxatives in dealing with constipation this festive season", said Prof Bolin.

Key findings from the report:
- 1 in 2 sufferers (51%) say constipation would effect their enjoyment of holidays eg, Christmas, New Year
- 1 in 3 sufferers (34%) regard their health as Fair or Poor compared to 15% of non-sufferers
- More sufferers (58%) find it difficult to perform daily tasks like bending, stooping or kneeling compared to non-sufferers (47%)
- A higher proportion of sufferers (84%) feel down-hearted, unhappy or worn-out compared to non-sufferers (73%)
- 71% of sufferers found effective relief using laxatives
- 80% of sufferers believe their happiness, personal and work life improved after relieving constipation
- Almost half of all sufferers (49%) say constipation has impacted negatively on their happiness, personal and work life
- Over half of all sufferers (54%) believe they would be more sociable if they did not suffer from constipation

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Issued on behalf of The Gut Foundation

* Research sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim