Why You Can't Go

CHAPTER 1

CONSTIPATION FRUSTRATIONS

Imagine this: in the hustle and bustle of the modern world, where our lives revolve around fast-paced routines and quick fixes, there exists a common gastrointestinal disorder that often goes unnoticed. For some people, even uttering the word can be challenging. This disorder, intertwined with a whole raft of potential dietary, medical and lifestyle triggers, and with its roots in both our culture and our environment, affects people in ways we might not fully grasp. This is the world of constipation, a topic often brushed aside yet deserving of attention and understanding.

Many of us have experienced constipation at some point. While some can shrug it off as a minor inconvenience, others may find it considerably more problematic. The reality is that constipation is a quiet but very determined troublemaker in one's digestive system. It is, in fact, very common, with most reports indicating that 15 per cent or at least one in seven people are affected.

If your bowel habits once followed a seamless, predictable pattern only to suddenly start acting up, you're definitely going to notice the shift. And when you do, a little concern is totally in order. Constipation is also not just a story of discomfort. Its impact can extend far beyond the realm of physical sensations. It possesses the power to cast a long shadow on how you can function day to day.

As you delve into the pages of this book, you'll explore all the common facets along with the many idiosyncrasies of this condition. Constipation, like a chameleon, can manifest in many different guises. To make this book relevant to you, it's essential that you become familiar with your own constipation tendencies or any patterns, to help you implement the relevant practical solutions. Keep in mind that an official constipation assessment and diagnosis is the responsibility of your doctor. At the same time, learning more about how your constipation likes to express itself can help you identify the best solutions.

This book serves as a practical toolkit, offering straightforward tips for tackling mild to moderate constipation, and setting the foundation to resolve severe constipation. While these strategies will be beneficial for many, the nuanced nature of this condition means that some individuals might find themselves needing specialised medical attention for the best results. It's crucial to remember that personalised care, guided by a healthcare professional, is therefore a clever move.

Nevertheless, this book seeks to offer more than just a series of tips. It's designed to foster a deeper understanding and solution-focused foundation, setting you on a path to achieving long-lasting improvements. It's time to bridge the gap between healthcare expertise and everyday experiences! Managing the diagnosis and treatment of chronic constipation resembles piecing together a mosaic, and it's so important to recognise that each person will have their individual approach to assembling the pieces.

Know the lingo - the poo-nunciation of the action of moving one's bowels

The word 'constipation' - which doesn't sound in any way pleasant - has its origins in the Latin word 'constipare', which means to press or crowd together. The word evolved in meaning to refer to waste that becomes compacted in the bowel or intestine, and which results in difficult bowel movements. In the medical world, the terms 'defecation' and 'evacuation' may be used to describe the action of passing a bowel motion. 'Faeces' may be used to describe expelling waste. More common words are 'poo' and 'stools'. We are also all pretty familiar with 'number two', 'shit' or 'shite', 'dump', 'log', 'turd' and 'crap'. Throughout the ages, constipation has usually hidden behind these polite and impolite terms. In the pages of this book, the straightforward term 'stools' will be mostly used for clarity and candour.

Stigma and poo taboo

'Going for a poo' is an essential, natural process that helps our body eliminate waste. It's a universal human experience, yet, strangely, we often find it difficult to discuss. We can find stigma surrounding gut conditions including constipation in many societies, although its extent can vary. Despite growing interest in gut health and the crucial role of gut microbes in digestion - with some even willingly providing stool samples for testing - our bowel habits and constipation continue to be taboo and sensitive subjects.

That's fine if it's your personal preference. It just isn't helpful if you suffer and find it hard to talk about it. In such cases, keeping it a secret will just prolong the suffering and may delay your receiving the crucial help you need. Others may downplay the seriousness of their condition to avoid discussing it. The overall unease and hesitancy in openly discussing bowel movements likely originates from the widespread feeling of embarrassment, personal privacy and cultural norms associated with such conversations.

Take, for instance, how even from a young age we see bathroom banter often labelled off limits. Picture a family gathering, where young Johnny proudly announces the details of his successful bathroom victory that morning. The responses? Likely a blend of awkward giggles and hasty subject changes. In certain societies, even alluding to toilet activities may be considered socially inappropriate. Or, at a work lunch, Emily opens up about her constipation woes when on her work trip, when Sean chimes in about his impeccable regularity, and Anne ignorantly adds, 'You should just eat better and exercise more; it's not that hard!' Emily internalises these well-intentioned but dismissive comments, further intensifying her feelings of vulnerability and making her embarrassed to broach the topic again.

From sitcoms to the silver screen, the entertainment industry loves turning toilet troubles into viewing and comedy gold. For example, the famous chaotic bathroom scene in Bridesmaids comes to mind. If you've ever had to endure The Boss Baby movie, you'll remember when boss baby talks about his constipation and receives the overly exaggerated and grossly unhelpful reaction, 'Did something clog your Schnitzel chute?'! How can we forget Trainspotting's 'worst toilet in the world' scene, where Renton is no longer experiencing heroin-induced constipation, or the laxative prank in Dumb and Dumber. All well and funny, but the unintended consequence of using humour is that people might underestimate the seriousness of bowel conditions, making talking about our bathroom experiences more intimidating.

For others, anything related to the toilet can bring up cringeworthy memories or feelings from past embarrassing moments. For example, imagine being Ruth, who at school accidentally farted loudly in front of her classmates. The unstoppable laughing and teasing that followed led to feelings of embarrassment and shame for Ruth. A loud fart - another one of our body's natural processes, with the average person farting about 14 times per day - is ultimately destined for ridicule and cruelty, reinforcing the stigma associated with bowel debris. Could breaking this silence improve the well-being of those affected by this often-ignored topic?

Is celeb advocacy breaking down taboos?

Over recent years, a surge of celebrities have been candid about their personal health struggles, and their vast influence can shatter health stigmas and foster a sense of solidarity among those with similar afflictions. They have included Selena Gomez sharing her mental health battles; Angelina Jolie heightening awareness of the genetic risks of breast cancer and destigmatising both the disease and the surgeries associated with its diagnosis; and Robert Downey Jr. speaking about his journey through substance abuse, relapse and recovery. Through their narratives, celebrities not only foster deeper understanding of their issues, but also provide a beacon of hope for many grappling with similar issues. Their stories underscore the power of visibility in driving societal change and encouraging open dialogue on subjects previously considered to be taboo.

A number of well-known individuals have openly acknowledged their struggles with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), contributing to public awareness and understanding. Among these, Kurt Cobain provided a dark insight into his personal battle with the condition and its cruel impact on his life and career. High-profile figures such as Tyra Banks and Kourtney Kardashian have also spoken publicly about their experiences of IBS, with both contributing to the broader conversation around this often-stigmatised health issue, and hopefully encouraging others to seek help and support.

Unexpected constipation tales that have been circulated throughout the ages include the claim that Napoleon's loss at the Battle of Waterloo was due to constipation, and that Elvis Presley's death on the toilet was a result of a heart attack brought on by stools stuck in his bowel. While these stories have been debunked, if constipation was once considered good enough reason to explain the defeat of a formidable military leader and the untimely death of the King of Rock and Roll, then it's a...