Why is it not a good idea to try to go to the bathroom with a punch?

If you go to the bathroom less than three times a week Even your doctor will prove you right, you suffer constipation. If this shortage of visits is accompanied by a cluster of negative sensations, such as abdominal swelling or pain, surely you have been tempted to end your ordeal by going to the nearest pharmacy to ask for a laxative instead of medical consultation. But resorting to chemistry may not be the solution you need.

Suffer constipation it's not unusualIn fact, it is one of the most frequent digestive disorders that exist. It is estimated that approximately 14% of the population Spanish goes to the bathroom less than three times a week. If you are one of those who do not leave home without putting a laxative in your hand kit … you know what is the fastest option to solve the problem. But faster does not necessarily mean more effective.

Should we take laxatives yes or yes?

In Spain, more than 23 million of units of various laxative preparations per year, according to data from a study conducted at the University Hospital La Fe in Valencia. But self-medicate To solve constipation can be harmful since each type of laxative has a specific indication and contraindications. “Not all patients can take all the types of laxatives, the doctor should assess which is the most appropriate at each moment, at what dose and for how long it should be administered, ”warns the dra. Virginia Matallana Royo, specialist in digestive system and digestive motor and functional disorders.

Although there is currently an arsenal of laxatives that can be used, none is useful in all people Not in all situations. Actually, despite being such a common problem, solving constipation involves following a personalized treatment that investigates the mechanism that is failing in that specific person rather than taking a pill. That's why specialists don't get tired of repeating that the solution must be staggered… and in almost no case in the first step are these drugs.

In fact, the recommendation is to adopt dietary measures, increase exercise, stop smoking and adopt a schedule to go to the regular bathroom before starting to medicate. If after six weeks with these new habits, no results are achieved, then laxatives can be prescribed. But in principle, changing the lifestyle and properly complying with a series of hygienic-dietary advice, a good proportion of cases of occasional constipation is resolved without the need to touch a single drug. In fact, these lifestyle changes must always be followed, whether or not laxatives are prescribed.

An extra help to go to the bathroom

If following the advice of your doctor you do not achieve results, consult him the possibility of resorting to naturotherapy. Supplements soluble fiber (psyllium) They have proven effective when taken daily, getting long-term regular intestinal transit. What should be avoided is the use of suppositories or enemas, "because even though it is effective in specific cases, its use must be punctual and only rescue if other measures have not worked," says the dr. José Luis Calleja Panero, specialist in gastroenterology and hepatology at La Luz Hospital.

Others Natural medicine better known, such as sacred shell capsules, fuca or aloe vera “should be used with caution since many of them act the same as stimulant laxatives. Its continued use is not advisable, but in a timely or occasional manner they may be appropriate, ”warns Dr. Virginia Matallana Royo.

On the other hand, the massages, in suitable hands (physiotherapists trained in visceral osteopathy) can be useful … as long as we combine them with other measures. "There is no scientific evidence to support it as an exclusive treatment and should always be associated with the above-mentioned treatments and advice (hygienic-dietary measures, fiber …)", warns dr. Luis Abreu García, Head of the Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department of La Luz Hospital.

What has shown that it gives good results is to re-educate the sphincter. Biofeedback is a learning technique that is indicated in those cases in which constipation is caused by inadequate sphincter relaxation. It is a simple technique, without contraindications, which in the hands of trained health personnel can be very effective and durable.