Slow transit constipation is new worry

Slow transit constipation is a cause for concern among patients who are older than 45 years as it affects the large intestine and makes bowel movements very difficult. Experts said that 10 per cent of the people suffer from this problem but it is not identified in time for them to get it treated.

Stress, long use of antibiotics due to infections and recurrent diarrhoea are some reasons which affect the gut flora and causes the situation.

Dr Ramesh Kumar, head of gastroenterology department in Osmania General Hospital said, “The problem is very high but cases come to hospitals when it has advanced to colonic cancer. Often the cancer has spread to liver and other organs of the body and at advanced stage it becomes inoperable. Patients often go to the general physicians who give them laxatives and the problem is solved for the time being. After that the patients depend on it for too long thereby advancing the disease inside.”

Gastroenterologists state that the increasing number of cases of recurrent diarrhoea in the same patients and also incidence of blood in the stools requires an effective management so that the patients can be saved.

Dr Savitha K. Devi, senior gastroenterologist said, “The large intestine massages the waste along its length to the rectum by rhythmic, muscular contractions of its walls. This activity is controlled by nerves of the enteric nervous system. The reduced mobility of waste is due to abnormality of the nerves. What leads to this abnormality whether it is chemicals in the food or an acidic reaction is a subject of research? We often find that patients who are highly stressed also suffer from this problem.”

The treatment is medication and regular enema for the patient and in extreme cases surgery is also carried out.

Presently, improperly treated patients are presenting with colonic cancer in advanced stages where many of them come at inoperable stage, a doctor said.