By Vinod Kumar New Delhi. A recent survey suggest that 22% of the adult Indian population is suffering from the condition, with 13% complaining of severe constipation. 6% of the Indian population suffer from constipation associated with certain comorbidities. This Survey highlights the predicament of these ‘silent sufferers’, the cause of chronic constipation and problems associated with it. This survey was conducted by healthcare company Abbott in in association with IPSOS, a global market research firm that surveyed 4,133 respondents across 8 cities – Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chennai, Patna, Ahmedabad and Lucknow to understand the seriousness of the issue. Indian Cricketer, Virender Sehwag said about this survey, “Being an athlete, I know gastrointestinal issues can be the root cause for many other health issues including mental health. If we suffer from gastrointestinal issues, it becomes difficult to focus and perform well on field and in life. Having a healthy gut is key as it allows the body to build a stronger immune system.”Infact, the survey results state that after common cold and cough, constipation is one of the most common self-claimed problems for Indians.” Kolkata tops the charts with 28% respondents suffering from constipation. The survey highlights that one-fourth of Kolkata sufferers do not indulge in any physical activity and believe in self-medication rather than consulting a doctor. Chennai, which is next in line to Kolkata, has a 34% population claiming to experience extreme pain while passing stools. Delhi, which has 23% respondents suffering from constipation shows the highest number of people consuming outside food along with high intake of junk food. Patna, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Lucknow and Hyderabad reported lower number of constipation sufferers compared to other three cities in the survey. Dr Kushal Mital, Coloproctologist, Medicare Hospital, Mumbai, says “The study succeeds in highlighting the issue existing around constipation. One of the key aspects being how people neglect the problem and delay seeking medical help. In fact, constipation can be completely avoided by leading a healthy life style, eating right, embracing physical exercises, having ample of water (1litre / every 20 kg weight) to keep body hydrated. However, anyone can face the issue but it should be managed or treated early to avoid complications later on.” Dr Ramesh Roop Rai, Professor & Director, Department of Gastroenterology, NIMS Medical College and University, Jaipur, says “The problem of constipation is rising in India, especially in urban population. It is basically due to faulty diet and lifestyle habits. Less water and fibre intake, sedentary lifestyle are very much attributed to constipation thereby affecting quality of life. Moreover, many lifestyle disorders like diabetes, hypertension are also associated with symptoms of constipation. Every physician must be aware of the same and proactively enquire about symptoms of constipation and treat it accordingly.” Dr. Rashmi Hegde said, “In the healthcare ecosystem, every player has a role to play to improve healthcare – be it the patient or the treatment providers. As highlighted in the study, a large number of sufferers are present across India and almost half of them are not visiting a doctor for treatment. Key Findings of this survey are : 1. The eight-city survey highlights higher percentage of constipation sufferers in metros (23%) as opposed to non-metros (19%). Kolkata has the highest number of sufferers at 28%, followed by Chennai at 26%. 2. Various metabolic disorders are likely to cause constipation. For example, Diabetics are 2.2 times more prone to constipation vis-à-vis nondiabetics while patients with Hypothyroidism are 2.4 times likely to develop constipation vs patients without hypothyroidism. Moreover, people with Anorectal disorders have more than 2.7 times the likelihood of associated constipation. Constipation tends to be more severe when associated with some of these comorbidities. 3. Pregnancy was found to be a common cause of constipation in women, with every 1 in 4 pregnant females (25%) suffering from constipation. It has been observed that constipation is most common in the second trimester. The survey also highlights the fact that 18% pregnant women developed anorectal disorders, thus making it imperative for medical practitioners to identify the condition in its early stage and begin treatment. 4. Practices like irregular eating habits, consumption of junk food and less water intake have been identified as key factors causing constipation. 21% sufferers do not indulge in any physical activity, making sedentary lifestyle an important factor associated with constipation. 5. The survey also brought to light the fact that though 88% of the sufferers are concerned about the condition, very few are willing to discuss it with their immediate family or friends due to the “social taboo”. According to the survey findings, 49% of the respondents have been shy about seeking medical help to solve their problem. In fact, on an average, respondents admit to waiting for an average of four months before deciding on consulting a doctor. 6. A glaring 33% of the sufferers have never treated constipation, while 48% have resorted to home remedies to treat the condition.

Vinod Kumar New Delhi: Milk is known for its numerous health benefits in people of all age groups ranging from children to old people. But lately the problem of adulteration of food products has multiplied to alarming extents thus posing serious health issues. Milk and dairy products are no exception. Cattle are fed with many steroids and hormonal injections to boost the delivery of milk production. “Oxytocin is one such injection that not only affects the cattle but indirectly the humans in the form of dairy products we consume. The injected oxytocin reaches the human body through consumption of milk or any other dairy product causing several side effects on all. This is one of the reasons for early onset of puberty among girls, development of breast in male and lack of testosterone production due to hormonal imbalance. Milk adulterated with oxytocin should be avoided by pregnant women as it may lead to abortion and babies may be born with deformities. It increases the risk of haemorrhage in mothers after birth and can also inhibit breastfeeding” Says Dr ​. Arvind Vaid, IVF Expert, Indira IVF Hospital, New Delhi. It is a general thought among us that milk is a rich source of calcium, but we tend to overlook the other components. Hormones like prolactin, lutenizing hormone(LH), estrogens, progesterone, oxytocin, growth hormone, thyroid stimulating hormone are present in the milk which may cause hormonal imbalance leading to infertility in humans as well. “Among females, PCOS and endometriosis has become more common which may be attributed to drinking milk containing excess estrogen. Over 70% of the estrogen levels in the humans are from animal derived dairy products. Such hormones are known to be endocrine disruptors and play havoc with the hormonal balance causing anovulation.” It can adversely affect the production of cervical mucus, which in limited quantity helps the sperm reach the fallopian tube and protects the vaginal lining from acidic environment. If the cervical mucus turns hostile it can act like a barrier in the fallopian tube preventing women from conceiving. Most of the people are either intolerant to lactose (sugar found in milk) or allergic to casein (protein in milk) which often goes unnoticed. The most common symptom starts off with fatigue, irritable bowel syndrome, and repeated exposure to such allergies sets off a whole body immune response that halts down the fertility by causing improper ovulation, missing periods, degrading the egg quality and recurrent miscarriage. “Certain amount of estrogen in male is required especially in the elderly age, but normally excess of estrogen in the male body leads to disruption of re-absorption of the luminal fluids in the epididymis leading to infertility. Consumption of more than the limit estrogen through diet leads to significant reduction in the epididymal weight causing decreased sperm motility and concentration” added Dr. Ishita Lunkad, Pune Based Gynaecologist. Moreover it is also noted that 70% of the Indian population get packed milk (especially in plastics). Plastic contains BPA (endocrine disruptor), which is directly linked to cause fertility issues in both male and female. It is one of the reasons in female that causes high levels of FSH, low levels of AMH, problems in implantation, PCOS and depleted ovarian reserve. Thus it is important to understand how adulterated milk can cause serious health issues in both males and females. Boiling milk can help eliminate traces of oxytocin. Thus a little vigilance can help save us from a number of health and fertility issues.