Millions of Brits suffer from constipation, and this condition is especially common and painful in people who have just undergone some kind of abdominal or pelvic surgery.
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Dr Karan Raj who posts on TikTok under @dr.karanr and racked up millions of views by debunking medical myths, addressed the issue and revealed to his five million plus followers an easy way to tackle it.
It turns out, a solution as simple as chewing gum can get things in your body moving as they should, flashing constipation down the toilet. And the science behind it is very simple.
Here is why this unexpected way to loosen your bathroom problems actually works.
Meanwhile, here are some tips for how to prevent constipation while traveling.
Also, how many times a day you poop as well as the shape of what comes outcould tell a lot about your health.
Here is what to do if your digestive system goes on strike
Dr Karan Raj shared one little-known trick that could help you get rid of constipation, and the reason why it works is genius.
The gut recommendation was first posted by Dr Zion aka @dr.zionko and has gone viral. But it was Dr Raj who explained the science behind it.
In the original post, the author’s ‘gastroenterologist husband’ handed her chewing gum soon after her C-section, referring to its ability to prevent constipation and ileus.
In a video response, Dr Raj went on to explain exactly why the solution is so clever.
He said:
If you're constipated after abdominal or pelvic surgery, chewing gum could help you in your quest to churn out fresh colon sausage.
Sometimes after surgery, your digestive system goes on strike. It powers down leaving you bloated and constipated.
This is known as a paralytic ileus and can be painful.
@dr.karanr Fresh colon sausage @DR. ZION
♬ original sound - Dr Karan Raj
According to Dr Raj, the reason why chewing gum can get your gut back on track is that it ‘tricks your body into thinking it's eating’ and triggers the gastrocolic reflex so a bunch of gut hormones are released and the vagus nerve is stimulated. The latterresults in more intestinal contractions and more movement.
The TikTok-famous doc added:
Even better, use sugar-free gum.
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These are the mainstream ways to get rid of constipation
Dr Raj clarified that there are 'lots of causes of constipation' so chewing gum is ‘not a cure-all’ but that it can help ‘to return to normal gut motility post-op’.
More 'traditional' ways to get rid of constipation include ‘making simple changes to your diet and lifestyle’ - avoiding alcohol, drinking plenty of fluids, increasing the fibre in your diet, and eating more wheat bran, oats or linseed.
According to the NHS, improving your toilet routine and increasing your activity can also help.
If none of the above works - speaking to a pharmacist is a way.
Read more:
⋙ New Covid-19 'Eris' variant is spreading amongst Brits, here is how worried you should be
⋙ Here's how to remove yellow stains from your toilet easily
Sources used:
- Mirror: 'Doctor addresses unusual constipation solving trick and says it actually works'
