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| Written by Psychologist Dr. Donna
Dawson, UK |
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Constipation is a familiar condition for
most of us at some time in our lives: in fact, recent Dulcolax® research
revealed that one in seven people suffer from constipation2 at some
stage. Despite being a relatively common complaint, constipation is probably
the last, great social taboo - if it is discussed in public at all, it is done
in either hushed, confidential tones, or through a "joke", so as to avoid
embarrassment.
So, why is constipation, and talking or dealing with it, still considered
embarrassing? |
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| The Good Old Days |
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Much of our psychological repression of
‘the natural’ can be traced back to the Victorian era, where talk of sex and
bodily functions associated with ‘sexualised’ body parts, was heartily
discouraged and disapproved of. Certainly there was no such embarrassment in
early Roman Britain, where public toilets featured a stick with a sponge
attached to its end, left soaking in a bucket of brine, the equivalent of
today's toilet paper! |
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| Toilet Humour |
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However, times change, and we are now at
the stage where the thing that is considered ‘forbidden’ or ’taboo’ (such as
bottom talk), has a strange, perverse attraction - and the best way to deal
with it is through humour. This process begins at school, probably the first
occasion where we are forced to share toilets with others - and ‘humour’
begins to play a very important role in overcoming any embarrassment. Also,
school is where we experience an enforced ‘group repression’ regarding vulgar
language, especially in regards to bodily functions. It is where words like
’poo’ and ’bottoms’ take on a new excitement, as using them is frowned upon by
adults. Hence, today's fascination with bottoms, and the amusement with
anything bottom-related, and the associated ‘dirty’ jokes! |
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| Men and Their Bottoms |
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Our bottoms can embarrass us by both sound
and smell, and remind us of our humbler animal origins. They are not really
under our control, being part of the involuntary nervous system. One way to
avoid embarrassment, to distance ourselves, and to gain some control over the
uncontrollable, is to use humour again. Men are more adept at using humour to
deal with bottom issues than women: this may be because it has always been
more socially acceptable for men to express their earthier side, especially in
a group. Where men are the more dominant sex in a society, they can
acknowledge their bodily functions without fear of social disapproval or
displacement and even compete with other men - hence, the development of
toilet humour! |
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| Women and Their Bottoms |
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For women, society (especially that of the
Victorians) generally expects a more constrained and ‘ladylike’ behaviour.
This is why, even today, passing gas or ‘farting’ in public is excruciatingly
embarrassing for women, while most men find their own gas/farting highly
amusing! What saves women from complete neurosis over bowel activity is a
better understanding of their bodies and their health (women's biology, such
as menstrual cycles and child-bearing, ensures this). |
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| Bodily Reactions |
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Also, (although less so today) there have
always been social differences: the further down the social ladder you were,
the less you had to lose by any social impropriety associated with bowels and
bottoms. Since women are socialised to be more aware of disapproval from
others, they tend to experience more outward signs of embarrassment over
issues deemed ’embarrassing’ or ‘taboo’, such as constipation, than men. They
react more than men by blushing, looking at the floor, touching their body,
face or hair, or walking away. Men tend to use humour more, or to stay silent. |
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| Constipation and Work |
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When it comes to constipation, the
Dulcolax® survey3 revealed that men may be hiding a deeper
insecurity about their bowel habits: men's work performance is affected twice
as much by constipation as women's work performance, and they avoid the
workplace toilet more than women. Men may joke about such things publicly, but
when it affects them directly, they tend to suffer in silence! It may be the
schoolboy pressure to be humorous that prevents men from truly understanding
their bowels and any associated problems. |
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| Personality and Constipation |
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The connection between personality and
constipation is interesting. Most of the specialised neurotransmitter
chemicals that the brain uses to transmit information are also produced in the
gastro-intestinal tract. Serotonin is an important transmitter, and is of
particular importance in depression and migraine headaches. Ten times as much
serotonin is produced in the gut as is produced in the brain, and so it is
easy to see how a change in levels of transmitters in the gut can affect the
functioning of the brain! It has often been observed that chronically
constipated individuals tend to be nervous, irritable, rigid, and hard to get
along with. Conversely, people with good bowel function tend to be congenial,
relaxed, and more at ease with themselves. |
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| Relieving Constipation |
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Whilst diet and lifestyle should not be
assumed to be the major responsible cause of constipation,1 it is
advisable to remain healthy overall by eating a balanced diet (fresh
vegetables, fruit and cereals), drink enough water (at least eight glasses a
day) and take regular exercise (e.g. walking). To help avoid symptoms of
constipation, you should always act on any urge to move your bowels. It also
helps to set aside time after breakfast or dinner for undisturbed visits to
the toilet. A proven, safe and effective laxative, Dulcolax®, can be taken as
a firstline treatment to help restart your natural rhythm.
References:
1. Müller-Lissner SA, Kamm MA, Scarpignato
C, Wald A. Myths and Misconceptions About Chronic Constipation. American
Journal of Gastroenterology 2005; www.amjgastro.com
2. Omnibus Study UK, GfK Sept 2000
3. MORI survey of 1,171 people on 15-19 February 2002, commissioned by
Dulcolax® |
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>> Gender & age relation
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Research shows that women suffer from constipation more frequently than men, and that older people suffer more than younger people.
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