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Chronic Constipation
HOST ON-CAMERA INTRO
Chronic constipation. The words alone paint a picture of an uncomfortable situation none of us would like to experience. But for those who do suffer from this debilitating condition, life brings unimaginable difficulties. Just ask Lynda Roepke. She's been battling the bloating and severe abdominal pain of Chronic Constipation... for more than 40 years.
LYNDA ROEPKE
Patient
"One of the hardest things for me was being able to openly talk to anybody about my constipation. It isn't a user-friendly piece of conversation for one thing."
HOST VO
Lynda Roepke is typical for those who have Chronic Constipation.
LYNDA ROEPKE
Patient
"Second of all, people are...I think put off, not knowing what to say, think you're some sort of a nut... Because everybody can go to the bathroom! I mean it's a very common day occurrence."
HOST VO
It's something she's been both suffering from, and seeking treatment for, since childhood.
LYNDA ROEPKE
Patient
"I think I was born Chronically Constipated. It's just been a constant, overwhelming, getting-worse type thing as the years went on."
HOST VO
For the hundreds of thousands of Americans who have to cope with it on a daily basis, Chronic Constipation is a horrible disorder that invades a person's everyday life, and often renders them downright miserable.
DOCTOR PRATHER
"Most of the time this is just the way a person is. Most of my patients describe difficulties since childhood, or certainly since adolescence."
HOST VO
Doctor Charlene Prather is a member of the Gastrointestinal Department at Saint Louis University. She's a recognized expert in Chronic Constipation.
DOCTOR PRATHER
"There are a variety of ways to define constipation, and everybody has their own idea about what that is. But when we refer to constipation we include symptoms such as bloating or abdominal distension."
HOST VO
In Lynda Roepke's case, pain was a large part of her ongoing bouts with chronic constipation, complete with the more typical symptoms of bloating as well.
LYNDA ROEPKE
Patient
"Sometimes the abdominal pain... was like having a knife being cut sort of crosswise. And just wondering what is going on down there."
HOST VO
As the years went on Lynda grew very skilled at dealing with it, thanks in large part to a healthy diet and an active and energetic lifestyle. But that wasn't enough to solve this chronic problem.
HOST VO
But at the age of 50, Lynda 's battle with constipation was about to change. As an executive assistant in the Internal Medicine Department at Saint Louis University, she had heard about a certain doctor on staff who was studying Chronic Constipation.
LYNDA ROEPKE
Patient
"I went down to the ninth floor and literally barged into her office and said, "...could I please, take a minute of your time?" I felt embarrassed. I felt humiliated. I didn't know what to do. I sat there for five minutes and I told her my story."
DOCTOR PRATHER
"Well of course, whenever I see a patient with constipation, the first thing I like to talk about is diet. Honestly, most of my patients with Chronic Constipation, they've tried the dietary fiber path. However, just the same, I want to make sure they're on a good healthy diet and getting an adequate amount of fiber. The American Dietetic Association recommends at least 25 grams of fiber per day. Most individuals in the United States get in the range of 12 to 14 grams of fiber, so there's usually some room for improvement."
HOST VO
It's important to screen for other possible causes for constipation. Metabolic conditions such as problems with the thyroid gland need to be ruled out.
HOST VO
Also, it's important to confirm that the condition is not caused by any medications the patient might be taking, or by more dangerous problems such as colon cancer.
It was a simple test called a Colon Transit that helped Lynda and her doctor finally begin to solve the problem.
LYNDA ROEPKE
Patient
"The Colon Transit, ... is just a very simple thing that you swallow some pills that will show up when you get an X-ray five days later. So they can see if they're still in you or if you've passed them? In my case I think 90% of them were still there."
HOST VO
For Lynda, just knowing that her chronic constipation was real... and to have the rest of the world know it too, was a genuine relief.
LYNDA ROEPKE
Patient
"Dr. Prather has given me a new outlook on life. She has completely changed my life around. She has made me realize that I am not just out there by myself. There are many people suffering with this same disorder. I am not unique in that, and it's good for me to know that."
DOCTOR PRATHER
"...certainly for those with more longstanding symptoms, I may try a pro-kinetic agent, an agent that moves things through the colon."
HOST VO
In Lynda's case, it was this new type of pro-kinetic agent that finally began to turn her problem - and her life around. Prokinetic agents are medicines that can cause muscles in the GI tract to move food through the digestive system.
LYNDA ROEPKE
Patient
"Today, I'm able to get up in the morning and carry on a normal workday without having to give thought to what kind of a stomachache do I have, or how bad is my abdominal pain."
DOCTOR PRATHER
"I think it's important to let your physician know that you are troubling with constipation. And to think about what are the symptoms that are bothering you most? When it's impacting one's life, that's when they should see their physician and get some treatment for their constipation."
LYNDA ROEPKE
Patient
"The greatest advice I have for women today is to be their own best advocate. Know how you feel. If your pain is anywhere near as severe as mine was, then you feel cramping, stomach ache, abdominal pain, bloating. Please, see your doctor seek medication. There are things that can be done. We have sat back for a long time and just accepted this pain. We don't have to do that anymore."
HOST TAG:
Lynda's right. For women who suffer from these symptoms, it's important not to let feelings of embarrassment keep them from telling all to their doctor. A full review of diet; stress levels; even the kinds of medication a woman may be taking... can be important things to examine in helping solve this difficult and debilitating problem.
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