Chennai :

Malar, 49, was suffering from a problem she thought was unspeakable and untreatable. She had been suffering from chronic constipation for 15 years and no amount of laxatives or fibre-rich food helped.

Malar’s is not a stray case. Doctors say many people suffer from this and nearly 70% of them are women who have given birth. Most of them suffer from a condition called obstructive defecation syndrome (ODS). In this, the lining of the rectum juts out every time the patient strains and obstructs motion, thereby making it impossible for the person to pass motion regularly. ODS causes severe headache, depression and decreased self-esteem. Dr Rajkumar of Rigid Lifeline Hospitals said that it is also one of the common causes of colorectal cancer.

“Since the surface of the bowel is in constant contact with toxic body waste and carcinogens, it puts such people at a cancer risk,” he said. The doctor pointed out that many people who suffer from ODS are not aware of it and suffer in silence. “Till very recently, there was no cure for this. But now we have a new method called stapled ano-rectal resection which is a safe and cost effective method involving minimal pain and hospital stay,” he said.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Chennai / TNN / June 27th, 2014