
What Can You Do When Constipation Won't Go Away?
We've all suffered with constipation from time to time, but if you've been living with constipation symptoms that won't go away, you're not alone.
Jul 14, 2020
Created With SupportWe've all suffered with constipation from time to time, but if you've been living with constipation symptoms that won't go away, you're not alone.
This article was created by Takeda in coordination with HealthyWomen.
We've all suffered with constipation from time to time, but if you've been living with constipation symptoms that won't go away, you're not alone. Like many others, you may have brought your concerns to your health care provider, and even tried treatments – but if you're still struggling to find relief, don't lose hope!
Chronic idiopathic constipation, or CIC, is a medical condition that affects approximately 46 million Americans and is estimated to impact nearly twice as many women as men. People with CIC have trouble going to the bathroom and experience infrequent or incomplete bowel movements over a long period of time.
To diagnose CIC, a health care professional evaluates the symptoms an individual is experiencing and then determines appropriate next steps based on the specific situation. Yet, according to a national online survey of adults with CIC and gastroenterologists, for many with the condition, relief can be hard to find even after getting a diagnosis and seeking treatment.*
If you are experiencing symptoms of CIC, its important not to give up and to be open with your health care provider about what you're going through, says William Chey, M.D., Professor of Gastroenterology & Nutrition Sciences, and Director of the GI Nutrition and Behavioral Wellness Program at the University of Michigan Health System.
"CIC symptoms can have a significant impact on a person's daily life," said Dr. Chey. "Even after increasing water intake, making lifestyle changes and trying over-the-counter or prescription medications, some people with CIC still struggle to find relief from symptoms, which can leave them feeling that they have no choice but to accept limitations on how they live. That's why it's so important to open up communication about this seldom-discussed condition."
In fact, the national survey, called Current Insights about Constipation, found that the majority of women with CIC generally never feel well and often have to put their lives on pause because of the condition – despite having sought treatment. And, perhaps because bathroom taboos keep this condition in the dark, most feel like no one understands the negative impact CIC has on their everyday lives.
The survey included more than 800 adults with CIC and 250 gastroenterologists. It was conducted by the Harris Poll on behalf of Shire, which is now part of Takeda.
If you've been struggling to find relief from this often-misunderstood condition, below are some things you should know. You can also visit www.TheMuscleWithin.com to read more about CIC and be sure to talk to your doctor. By educating yourself about what may be going on in your body and keeping open and honest communications with your health care provider, you can give yourself the best possible chance to get off pause and get going again.
All statistics below are from the Current Insights about Constipation survey.
Visit www.TheMuscleWithin.com to learn more, and then talk to your health care provider.
Dr. Chey received monetary compensation from Takeda to help create this HealthyWomen resource.
HealthyWomen conducted an independent medical review. This resource was medically reviewed by Kathryn Jack, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, FAANP.
*About the Current Insights about Constipation Survey
The Current Insights about Constipation Survey was conducted online within the U.S. by The Harris Poll on behalf of Shire between April 16 and June 6, 2018. Shire is now a part of Takeda. The patient arm of the survey included a total of 881 U.S. adults aged 18+ (N=274 male and N=607 female) who have been diagnosed by a health care professional with CIC and who sought treatment for the condition ("people with CIC" or "CIC patients"). The professional arm of the survey included 250 GIs licensed to practice in the U.S. who have seen 15 or more CIC patients in the past month. For complete research method, including weighting variables and subgroup sample sizes, please contact Amy McCarthy, GI Lead, US Business Unit Communications, Takeda, at amy.mccarthy@takeda.com.
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