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There is no doubt that long term constipation can be harmful. What is your definition of constipation? You don't necessarily need to have a bowel movement every day. From the Merck Report:
Many persons incorrectly believe that daily defecation is necessary and complain of constipation if stool frequency is less than expected. Others are concerned with the appearance (size, shape, color) or consistency of stools, although sometimes the major complaint is dissatisfaction with the act of defecation. As a result, they abuse the colon with laxatives, suppositories, and enemas. Overzealous treatment with laxatives can result in cathartic colon (a "pipe stem" colon lacking haustra on barium enema examination, thus mimicking ulcerative colitis) and melanosis coli (deposits of brown pigment in the mucosa, seen on endoscopy and colonic biopsy).
Obsessive-compulsive people try to control anxiety with perfectionistic behavior; their need to rid the body daily of "unclean" wastes may take on exaggerated importance. Depression may be associated with failure to defecate daily. A cycle may develop in which depression reduces stool frequency and failure to defecate augments depression. Such people often become chronic cathartic users or spend excessive time on the toilet.
Constipation is blamed for many complaints (abdominal pain, nausea, fatigue, anorexia) that are usually symptoms of an underlying problem (irritable bowel syndrome, depression). Patients should not expect all symptoms to be relieved by a daily bowel movement. |
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