Dr. Howard Smith Oncall

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/D9VspX8CT00 Nearly 30% of people have constipation and don’t even know it.  This is the conclusion of a study from King’s College-London just published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology. It seems like a simple issue, but public health authorities can’t even agree on how many of us do suffer from constipation.  Estimates range from 3% to more than 10 times that number at 35%, and the variation occurs because there are disagreements about the diagnostic criteria for constipation. Studying over 2500 subjects, the researchers conclude that constipation is characterized by one or more of 6 symptom clusters: infrequent bowel movements, pain and bloating, rectal discomfort, hard stools, flatulence, and some incontinence.  Patients with these symptoms should consult a gastroenterologist and a therapeutic dietician for help. Meanwhile, don’t forget the many things you can do to relieve your backup.  These include: drinking abundant water, consuming raisins, munching prunes, and eat