Debunking Constipation Myths: The Truth About High Fiber Diets

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http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/01/050111122655.htm

Debunking Constipation Myths: The Truth About High Fiber Diets And Laxatives

Science Daily — There are a lot of common myths about constipation

treatment. An article in the January issue of The American Journal of

Gastroenterology dispels those myths and clears numerous

misconceptions regarding chronic constipation. From a high fiber diet

to taking laxatives, researchers address the common beliefs concerning

various aspects of the condition and review results based on medical

trials.

" Chronic constipation is uncomfortable, but not dangerous, " states

lead author Stefan A. Müller-Lissner, MD. " This might be the reason

why medical doctors often do not take it seriously. There are many

unproven beliefs about constipation, but most of them are not tenable

upon closer investigation with scientific methods. "

According to the authors, although there is no doubt that fiber

increases stool bulk and frequency, the role of dietary fiber to treat

chronic constipation is exaggerated. A low fiber diet has been proven

not to be the cause of constipation and the success of fiber intake as

treatment is modest. The study reviewed conducted by Voderholzer et al

showed that only 20% of slow transit patients benefited from fiber.

Further data suggests that while many patients may be helped by a

fiber-rich diet, some actually suffer from worse symptoms when

increasing their fiber intake.

On the opposite end, not even increased fluids are guaranteed to help

bowel activity. Fluid ingestion to treat chronic constipation is

over-emphasized as well, according to Dr. Müller-Lissner, and the

success of fluid treatment is probably none. Unless there is evidence

of dehydration, there is no data supporting the fact that increasing

fluid intake can successfully treat constipation. The article further

addresses the myths behind chronic use of laxatives and whether these

drugs can be linked to nerve damage and risks of colorectal or other

cancers. Data shows that those on the market today are safe when

appropriate drugs are prescribed and taken at recommended doses.

With this information, Dr. Müller-Lissner suggests that " patients may

no longer be bothered by ineffective advice regarding fiber and fluid

ingestion nor threatened by the side effects of laxatives. Also,

unnecessary colonic resections may be avoided. "

According to the American College of Gastroenterology, constipation is

one of the most frequent gastrointestinal complaints in the US and

Western countries. There are at least 2.5 million doctor visits for

constipation in the US each year and hundreds of millions of dollars

are spent for laxatives yearly. With chronic constipation, patients

may suffer from constipation for weeks or have recurring bouts over

long periods of time.

This study is published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology.

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About the Author

Professor Stefan Müller-Lissner is a Professor of Internal

Medicine/Gastroenterology at Humboldt University, Berlin. He received

his MD from the University of Marburg, Germany in 1976 and was trained

in Munich, Germany and Zurich, Switzerland. Professor Müller-Lissner

is a member of the working team on Rome II Criteria for Functional GI

disorders, Associate editor of the German Journal of Gastroenterology,

and member of the Editorial Board of Gut. He has published nearly 300

scientific papers and articles in national and international journals

and books. His research interests include functional gastrointestinal

disorders and the implementation of Evidence-based Medicine into

clinical practice.