Didn’t you have a bowel movement today? Do not panic ! The frequency of bowel movements varies greatly depending on the individual and our diet. While most people have a bowel movement approximately once a day, others are satisfied with three times a week, without this impacting their daily lives. Very common symptom, the constipation affects nearly 16% of adults and 33.5% of people over 60 years old.
Stool frequency: what is normal intestinal transit?
“The frequency varies greatly. Normal transit varies between 3 stools per day and 3 stools per weekimmediately reassures Professor Véronique Vitton. We speak of constipation when the number of stools is less than three times per week. But, here again, you can very well go to the stool every day but strain a lot and have a feeling of incomplete relief or, on the contrary, only go twice a week and feel very good. It depends a lot on the individual.”
There are two types of constipation:
- Lhas transit constipation results in an extension of transit time without abnormal evacuation of stools;
- so-called evacuation constipation (distal constipation) manifests itself by difficulties in exoneration which can be linked to anatomical anomalies such as organ descent (prolapse of the rectum), rectocele (hernia formed by the rectum into the vagina) or a lack of relaxation of the anal sphincter.
Why is constipation more common in older people?
“Constipation is common in the elderly and tends to get a little worse with agecontinues the specialist. Anorectal functionality weakens as does the tone of the rectum. Patients will feel less of the urge to have a bowel movement or will have more difficulty exonerating. Moreover, it is not uncommon for some to resort to digital maneuvers – that is to say, they use a finger in the vagina or rectum – to facilitate the evacuation of stools. . In addition to the aging of the digestive system which can have repercussions on gastrointestinal motor functions, the fact of moving less, being less active or even eating less also promotes constipation.
When should you consult?
It is important to see a doctor if presence of blood in the stools Or unexplained changes in transit to rule out a diagnosis of colon or rectal cancer. “For example, you have always been constipated and overnight your transit speeds up for no reasonspecifies Professor Vitton. Or on the contrary, you suffer from chronic constipation which has an impact on your daily life. Do not hesitate to consult: this will ensure that there is no pathology, determine the cause of constipation and adjust the treatment.”
Indeed, untreated, even trivialized, chronic constipation is a cause of anal incontinence. “Almost a third of women who give birth have perineal damage which can have repercussions much later, especially if they suffer from constipation and push on a slightly torn perineum. This is how we can develop problems incontinence”, confirms Professor Vitton. Hence the importance of breaking the taboo and daring to talk about it to a specialist.
What are the solutions to combat constipation and prevent it?
The primary objective is to normalize intestinal transit and stool consistency. “There are many preconceived ideas about constipationinsists the gastroenterologist. For example, there is no point in taking tons of laxatives – like Macrogol – which hydrate the stools if they are already normal. Better to use a glycerin suppository instead. For stools to progress and be easier to push, they need to be trained. Ballast laxatives (mucilages) and gas-releasing suppositories such as potassium acid tartrate (Editor’s note: Eductyl) or those with glycerin constitute the first-line treatment in cases of stools that are too hard and too small to be evacuated.”
By acting on their consistency and volume, these medications make it possible to re-educate relief and, sometimes, to regain the sensation of the need to have a bowel movement. And to add: “Contrary to popular belief, these treatments can be followed for life if necessary and they do not make the colon lazy!”
Finally, in addition to treating constipation, Professor Vitton recommends adopting simple hygienic and dietary measures:
- do not hold back and go to the toilet as soon as the urge arises;
- use a small step stool to facilitate the exoneration of stools;
- stay well hydrated;
- adopt a bowel routine by going to the toilet at the same time every morning;
- eat enough at breakfast to activate the gastrocolic reflex;
- do not force;
- do not hesitate to use glycerin suppositories if necessary.