A few days ago, at the outpatient clinic of a well-known expert in the Department of Gastroenterology of the General Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Ms. Liu handed over a stack of examination reports to Professor Wang Bangmao, director of the digestive center of the hospital, and asked anxiously: “Director, please help me to see. How come my intestines have turned black!” Professor Wang Bangmao asked carefully about his medical history and learned that Ms. Liu only had a “big” last time in three or four years, when she saw the “intestinal tea” and “small powder pills” she took out from her bag, Professor Wang has a good idea. Combining Ms. Liu’s medical history and colonoscopy, he gave the diagnosis: colon melanosis caused by long-term laxative use.
Although “Internet celebrity” laxatives can solve some defecation problems in the short term, they bring great hidden dangers to patients. Because most of these laxatives contain stimulant laxatives, such as “intestinal tea” containing anthraquinones, long-term use can induce colon melanosis; the main component of “small powder pills” is bisacodyl, which can directly stimulate the nerves of the intestinal wall . Long-term overdose will affect the movement of the bowel itself, cause laxative-dependent constipation, severe intestinal obstruction and megacolon, and even require surgical treatment.
The incidence and prevalence of constipation continue to increase, which may be related to changes in dietary structure such as reduced intake of coarse grains and vegetables, excessive intake of refined foods, and social work pressure, anxiety, depression, adverse life events, etc. Psychological factors are related to bad habits such as staying up late, sedentary, lack of exercise, and drinking less water. Long-term constipation can cause hemorrhoids, anal fissure, rectal inflammation, and may even increase the risk of colorectal cancer; for patients with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, it can also induce angina pectoris and cerebral hemorrhage; mentally, it can cause insomnia, anxiety, irritability, fatigue, etc.
To prevent and treat constipation, you must first adjust your lifestyle. Diet and exercise are both therapeutic and economical. Drink more water every day, about 1500 to 2000ml a day; eat more whole grains, fruits, vegetables and dietary fiber. Make sure to exercise at least 1 to 2 hours a day. In addition, you should also pay attention to developing good bowel habits, regular bowel movements 1 to 2 times a day for 5 to 10 minutes each time, do not look at your mobile phone when going to the toilet; avoid prolonged sitting and squatting. For patients with more severe constipation, laxatives recommended by clinical guidelines can be used under the guidance of a doctor. In addition, biofeedback, microbiota transplantation, control of anxiety and depression, and surgery can also be used as adjuncts to treat constipation.