Pinoys suffer from the silent ‘C’

MANILA, Philippines - Blame it on their unique sense of humor or their tendency to suffer in silence, but Filipinos in general would rather not talk about constipation. And yet the booming numbers should not be ignored — patients suffering from constipation in the Philippines account for 30 percent of the population.

People often brush it off as “nothing serious.” But from a medical perspective, “constipation is something that must be discussed openly, if only because it can affect an individual’s quality of life. In particular, constipation can adversely affect a person’s mental and emotional well-being, including vitality, social functioning and emotional health,” said Dr. Melvin Pasay, medical manager of Boehringer Ingelheim.

Constipation, also known as delayed bowel movement, happens when the large intestine’s muscles fail to function properly. The colon stimulates bowel movement through peristalsis, normal, wave-like motion that can be disrupted by certain diseases, medications or changes in daily routines.

For people who try to avoid the discomfort of going to the restroom, they may experience impaction or overflow diarrhea. For others, constipation can lead to complications aggravating endocrine, cardiovascular and immune systems.

Research shows that an individual who experiences only three bowel movements a week can be considered as constipated. Since constipation, unlike other medical conditions, is seldom talked about, most people prefer to take home remedies which often include an abrupt change in diet or a sudden increase in fiber intake, intense physical activity or more fluid intake.

But studies also note that these types of treatment do not assure relief from constipation. In some cases, such as increased fiber intake, home remedies may actually do more harm than good.

A proven safe and effective treatment for constipation is available in bisacodyl (Dulcolax). According to Pasay, “bisacodyl (Dulcolax) works by stimulating the natural movements of the bowel, to return your bodily functions back to their normal way of working.”

Bisacodyl (Dulcolax) tablet is best taken at bedtime, thus providing predictable constipation relief in just six to 12 hours. What’s more, the tablet has a protective coating so it acts directly on the target organ, the colon, making it safe for use.

A trusted brand being used for more than 60 years, Dulcolax has been continuously conducting clinical research to ensure the safety of millions of users in the Philippines and across the globe.